Elementary school counselors are master-degree level professionals who provide support to maximize student potential and academic achievement. Aboite’s comprehensive school counseling program is an integral part of the total educational program designed to ensure that all students have access to and are prepared with the knowledge and skills to contribute at the highest level as productive members of society. School counselors develop a program that is comprehensive, developmental, and preventative in nature. Aboite’s school counseling program addresses the needs of all students by facilitating their academic, career, and personal/social development as well as creating a positive and safe learning environment. The program also assists students as they face issues and resolve problems that prevent their healthy development.

Guidance Curriculum:

• Classroom guidance
• Teacher support
• Group activities

Individual Student Planning:

• Short and Long-Term Goal Setting
• Consult with parents and teachers regarding academic issues
• School transitions

Responsive Services:

• Individual and small group counseling
• Consultation
• Referrals to community resources

System Support:

• Participation in school committees
• Program management
• Professional development

Children may face difficulties, which can prevent them from doing their best in school. These difficulties can include school adjustment issues, stress, family change, grief, fears, or difficulties with friendships. Having support through difficult times can be essential to a child’s educational success. Please let me know if there is a situation in which I may be of help. I look forward to working with all the students at Aboite.

Students are informed that if they would like to meet with me they can request a meeting through their parents or teacher, or they may ask me to meet with them.

An important part of the counselor and student relationship is trust. One of the ways counselors build a trusting relationship with students is through confidentiality. I talk to students at the beginning of the year about keeping information confidential. I share with students that I will try to keep the information they share with me confidential but there are times when I will need to share with other adults what the student has shared with me. I tell the students I will break confidentiality if they are going to hurt themselves or someone else, if someone is hurting them, if they tell me someone else is being hurt, or we decide it is important for us to share the information with another adult. I do share with students that problem solving is a collaborative effort and there will be times we will want to include their parents or teachers in our work.

• Talk about student concerns.
• Play games that help students learn about themselves and other people.
• Work in groups with other students.
• Read a book with the counselor.
• Calm down and plan ways to solve a problem.
• Write or draw.