Sycamore STAR Counseling Program

We are so excited to announce Sycamore's school counseling program has been recognized as a model counseling program by the American School Counselor Association. This is an esteemed honor for a counseling program. Additionally it means the program is comprehensive, data driven, and developed with our particular student population in mind. We strive to help ALL students with our counseling program.

As the school counselor, I play a part in many aspects and areas of the school.

  • I am the Adoption Coordinator and community liaison for Sycamore.

  • I am the Support Team Coordinator for SES.

  • I am a co chair of the Sycamore Safety Committee (SERT).

  • I am the 504 Coordinator for our school.

  • I organize Christmas giving and basic needs being met throughout the year.

  • I meet with every class (K-4) every week in order to teach the school counseling curriculum.

  • I lead different types of small groups with students.

  • I have individual counseling sessions with students.

  • I consult with teachers, parents, and students on classroom behaviors and performance.

Your child might state, "I had Mrs. Ally today". That means they had a Star Skills class during their daily specials rotation (PE, Computer, Music, Art, Library, Star Skills Class).

Common Star Skills classroom topics:

  • Personal safety

  • Bullying/Conflict Resolution

  • Character Education

  • Career

  • Academic Skills

  • Health and Hygiene

  • Social and Emotional Health

Your child might be involved in a small group. Groups can be highly effective and supportive for students.

Common small group topics:

  • Grief

  • Anger Control

  • Social Skills

  • Friendship

  • Study Skills

  • Attendance

  • Classroom Behavior

Your child might get to see me individually. My individual counseling sessions are brief, solution-focused counseling. I might see a student once or twice who asks to see me about a particular issue. Additionally if a student is referred to me, I will typically do 4-6 weekly individual counseling sessions. If at the end of those sessions (or at any point throughout) I feel like their needs are more appropriately served by an outside therapist, I will suggest that to you. Also, if during the course of those 4-6 sessions it becomes clear that the student does not need the sessions, I will inform you that I feel the need to be in class supersedes the need for counseling.

Common individual counseling topics:

  • Death

  • Divorce

  • Friendship Conflicts

  • Academic Skills

  • Attendance concerns

  • Basic needs concerns

  • Poor classroom behavior

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Hygiene