“My hope for all of us is that the miles we go before we sleep will be filled with all the feelings that come from deep caring, delight, sadness, joy, wisdom – and that in all the endings of our life, we will be able to see the new beginnings.”
Fred Rogers, The World According to Mister Rogers
Click here to view the Ironton Elementary Guidance Newsletter
Our Ironton Elementary school counseling program is designed to provide all students with opportunities and resources to assist them in their life-long journey to become contributing members of society. The Parkland School District counselors believe in the dignity and worth of all students and are committed to their role as advocates for students in the educational setting.
The following are a few of the services offered by the school counselor.
Individual Counseling
Counselors meet with students individually to facilitate their growth and development through the exploration of feelings and concerns related to issues impacting their lives. Parents and teachers refer students for individual counseling throughout the school year. Students may request “talking time” with the counselor by using the “need to talk” basket outside the counselor’s office.
Small Group Counseling
Children in the elementary school are going through many phases of growth and development. During these years, children normally experience many stresses due to academic demands, social relationships, and typical family issues.
In small group counseling, the counselor works with two or more students. Group discussions may be relatively unstructured or based on structured learning activities. The goals of the group are to improve problem solving and social skills as well as to increase self-esteem. Topics may include changing families, making friends, anger management, social skills, loss/bereavement, and stress/anxiety management.
During the group sessions, students will become involved in fun activities such as playing games, drawing, role-playing, readng along with others, communicating more effectively, controlling their behavior, and resolving conflict.
Classroom Guidance
Large group instruction offers the opportunity to provide support to the largest number of students in the school. The school counselor presents lessons that are developmentally appropriate for students in kindergarten throug fifth grades. Lessons focus on the understanding self and others, coping strategies, peer relationships, problem solving, decision making, conflict resolution, and bullying prevention. Lessons are aligned with the Pennsylvania School Standards. Classroom meetings are encouraged at all grade levels.
Peer Mediation Program
“Kids can help kids“
Selected students are trained by the counselor to help students in conflict find positive ways to solve disagreements. Peer Mediators use interpersonal, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills to help peers resolve issues peacefully.
Student Council
Along with the Instructional Support teacher, the school counselor serves as an Advisor to the Student Council. Working to increase and promote student leadership, the student council meets regularly to facilitate student involvement in our school and community. Various community service projects are sponsored and lead by our elementary students.
Bully Prevention
The school conselor is a part of the Bullying Prevention Coordination Committee that helps coordinate bullying awareness activities and provide support to the staff and school community. Committed to being a “Bully-Free” School, the counselor plays an integral role in facilitating positive relationships, cooperaton, caring, and respect for all invididuals in our Ironton School community.
Safety Matters!
The school counselor coordinates community programs assisting children in identifying unsafe situations they may encounter such as bullying, stranger danger, physial abuse or attempted sexual abuse. The Crime Victim’s Council presents the Safety Matters! Program teaching children they have the right to be safe and to utilize safety rules to help them to feel safe when they feel unsafe.
Response to Intervention and Instruction
The Counselor is a member of the RTII Core Team, which includes the principal, psychologist, RTII teacher, reading specialist, speech/language clinician, classroom teacher, parents, and any/all individuals working with a student. This team closely monitors student academic progress and provides strategies and support for academic and social growth.
Assessment/Data
The counselor is responsible for coordinating the state and district assessment programs at the building level. Assessment data assists in identifying student skills, abilites, interests, achievements, and aptitude for school success. The counselor administers ability screening tests and provides interpretation of standardized test results to faculty and parents.
Consultation/Referrals
Counselors are a source of information for parents and teachers working collaboratively to best serve the needs of our students. Parents and school personnel utilize the counselor as a resource for information regarding community services and assistance when in need of additional intervention and services. Parenting information is also shared with parents/guardians on a variety of topics by individual requests, phone calls, conferences, and the school newsletter.
Ms. Wolfe may be contacted at 610-351-5810 Ext. 25510 or via email – WOLFEL1@parklandsd.org
