School Counseling  

Welcome! 

I'm glad you came to visit!  Spend some time learning about the Counseling Program & Student Support Services at our Primary School by exploring these web pages and links.  If you have concerns about your child, please call 315-597-3475, ext. 4126 or e-mail me at victoria.blazey@palmaccsd.org 

I would like every child to enjoy learning, enjoy friendships and develop skills in communicating and making positive choices.  As you look through our resources, I hope you will find helpful information.

At Pal-Mac Primary, we offer a variety of programs to help children. Most are short-term in nature and are provided to meet the child’s and family’s needs. We can support your child’s confidence and comfort level in the school setting by helping them to develop healthy peer and adult relationships. We address stress children may have regarding school, family changes or other concerns. 

Student support provides children with additional opportunities to understand and regulate their own emotions and notice the emotions of others. Support will also help children develop social skills and practice strategies to help them engage in their learning. Support may be delivered through classroom lessons, group counseling and/or individual counseling and referrals given to parents/guardians. Support services are provided during the child’s school day and scheduled so that the child does not miss lunch or recess. 

You will also find that social emotional learning opportunities are integrated into our daily school language, class agreements, morning meetings/closing circles, class lessons and activities to support all of our students. Individualized support services are confidential. Please contact me if you have questions about support needs for your child.

Primary School Counselor 

Victoria Blazey   

Phone:  315-597-3475 ext. 4126

victoria.blazey@palmaccsd.org

A counseling program serves children through classroom lessons, individual counseling and group counseling and also referrals. Classroom lessons focus on specific topics according to the ASCA American School Counseling Association and the New York State learning standards in the areas of social, personal safety, academic, character and career development.

Click here for the Palmyra-Macedon Comprehensive Counseling Plan

ABOUT THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR ...

Ms. Blazey is a certified NYS school counselor.   I have served as a counselor in the school setting for 25 years and have been a counselor for Palmyra-Macedon CSD since 1998. I am also a member of the ASCA and NYSSCA. My additional training includes includes child centered/child led play, an evidence based social emotional prevention model. The Primary Project program utilizes trained supervised child associates who provide child centered, expressive play opportunities for students. My duties also include supervising the Primary Project program.  I love to be involved in additional projects and events that benefit our students and their families.  The first days and first years of school are very special,  I look forward to meeting you and helping your child(ren) have the best Primary School experience possible!

What does a Counselor do?  A counselor works with students and visits classrooms to help students understand themselves and others.

• Works with individuals and small groups on self-concept, friendship skills, communication skills, problem solving, self-regulation, school engagement, changing families, loss/grief, and more

• Meets with new students to help them adjust to our school.

• Supports parents/guardians and teachers about students concerns and progress.

• Helps families locate the help and resources they need.

When do students see a Counselor? When ...

• they have good news to share.

• they have challenges with their friends or would like to have more friends.

• they have challenges with school work.

• they begin not to like coming to school.

• they need to talk to someone.

• they are sad from a loss or worried about something.

• they are upset or angry 

How does a student see a Counselor?

• a teacher can ask the counselor to see a student.

• parents/guardians can ask the counselor to see their child.

• a student can ask to see the counselor.

Counseling Services: Individual & Group Counseling

Individual Counseling: Short term individual counseling is provided to access the nature of a student's concern and to build skills to help the student.  If appropriate, helpful resources or referrals are given to parent/guardians.  Students are not seen more than twice on one issue without contacting a parent/guardian.  Examples of student concerns that could involve individual counseling may be school phobia, friendship conflicts, family change/stress, inappropriate behaviors, worries, grief/loss.

Group Counseling:  For some students who share a common concern it can be helpful for them to meet together with the counselor to share ideas and support and to learn helpful skills.  Games, activities and projects are used to learn skills.  Groups may focus on a topic such as: communication and friendship skills, anger, classroom success, self-esteem/confidence.  Students are not placed in groups with out parent/guardian permission.  Groups meet once a week typically for 6-10 weeks.

Classroom Lessons:  Each class receives pro-social skills lessons throughout the school year.  These activities are designed to help students succeed and get along in the classroom and in other settings.  Pro-social skills lesson are intended for all students and do not require student to reveal any personal information and do not require parent/guardian permission.  Classroom lessons are based on the use of programs/curriculums such as:  Second Step, NYS School Counselor Association Comprehensive School Counseling Program Activities, and Healthy Smart lessons, each designed for Primary aged children.  These lessons are designed to meet the American School Counseling Association National Learning Standards and the NYS School Counselor Association Learning Standards.

*regular counseling or counseling programs are scheduled according the the classroom teacher's instructions so that academic work is not missed.