The primary focus of the Junior School counselor is prevention. The counselor's intentions are to help all students learn basic life skills and have a successful school year. Some of the things the counselor addresses with students, parents and teachers are: feelings, self-esteem, behavior, death/loss, safety, tattling, friendship, bullying, conflicts, listening, following directions, transitions, healthy behaviors, honesty, accepting others, separation/divorce and much more.
Student meet with the counselor in a number of ways. A parent may request that their child see the counselor, a teacher may refer a student to the counselor, the counselor may invite a child to talk, or a child may ask to talk with the counselor. If your child meets with the counselor, it does not mean that he or she is in trouble! The counselor is not a disciplinarian.
Some reasons a student may want to see the counselor:
- “I’m getting picked on and I don’t know what to do about it.”
- “My best friend isn’t talking to me and I feel sad.”
- “I am new to the school and I am scared.”
- “My dog died over the weekend and I am sad.”
- “My mom and dad just told me they are getting a divorce.”
- “Tim, Sam, and I had a problem at recess. Can you help us work it out?”
Some reasons a parent might want to talk to the counselor:
- “My husband and I are getting divorced and we think our kids could benefit from talking about it.”
- “Timmy just doesn’t want to go to school in the mornings.”
- “I’m concerned because Jessie tells me she doesn’t have any friends.”
- “We recently had a death in the family, and I’m not sure how to tell my child.”
Conversations between the counselor and student are private; however, the counselor encourages students to share any concerns with their parents.