Guidance

Welcome to Gander Elementary's Guidance page!

2020-2021

September 9, 2020

Hello & welcome back! After nearly 6 months of being away from one another physically, it is heartwarming for school to reopen to students and staff! As your School Counsellor, I'd like to remind you all that it is 100% normal for you to experience a variety of emotions during this time. Whether you feel excited, nervous, calm, scared or uncertain, I'd like to remind you that we will all be okay!

Each and every one of you belongs at Gander Elementary and I look forward to resuming connections with students & families I've already met as well as making new connections with those I've yet to meet! Have a fantastic 2020-2021 school year!

To quote one of my favorite authors, Brene Brown:


Local Mental Health Resources


  • NL Mental Health Crisis Line 24 hour line: 1-888-737-4668

  • NL Warm Line (non-emergency, non-crisis telephone support and referral service): 1-855-753-2560

  • Bridge the Gapp Youth app: https://www.bridgethegapp.ca/youth/

  • Kids Help Phone (24 hours a day): 1-800-668-6868

  • Kids Help Text (24 hours a day): Text 686868

  • James Paton Memorial Regional Health Centre: 651-2500

An Inukshuk at Tickle Cove Sea Arch, Bonavista Bay; an Inuit tradition, landmark and symbol of safety, hope & friendship.

Gander Elementary's School Counsellor is Ms. Kellie O'Rielly-Mercer. Ms. O'Rielly-Mercer's office is located upstairs in the school and she can be contacted via e-mail or telephone.

The roles and responsibilities of a School Counsellor in an elementary school include:

  • administering educational assessments, i.e. cognitive, achievement and behavioral;

  • communicating with involved community and government agencies related to children's education, health and well-being;

  • providing individual counselling and group counselling;

  • providing education and information to students, parents and staff regarding children's educational, behavioral, social and wellness issues;

  • providing leadership in character education programs and initiatives; and

  • serving as a member of the school's Student Support Services team.


Appointments to see our School Counsellor can be made in person, by telephone or via-email. Ms. O'Rielly-Mercer can be reached in the following ways: