Guidance

 

Role of the Counselor

The Parkland School District’s school counseling program is designed to provide all students with opportunities and resources to help them reach their goal of becoming contributing members of society.  The counseling program is developmental and systematic in nature and is delivered through large group, small group, and individual experiences.  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.

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.

During the group sessions, students will become involved in fun activities such as playing games, drawing, role-playing, reading books, and group discussions.  Students will learn ways of getting along with others, communicating more effectively, controlling their behavior, and resolving conflict.

Classroom Guidance

Large group instruction offers a good 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 through fifth grades.  Lessons focus on understanding self and others, coping strategies, peer relationships, problem solving, decision making, and conflict resolution.

Some examples of classroom guidance lessons that have been presented at Parkway Manor are:

  • Kindergarten:  “DUSO the Dolphin” helps students understand self and others. Students help this puppet express feelings and solve problems they may encounter in everyday life.
  • Grade One: Students view a video, “We Can Work It Out,” which presents strategies for resolving conflicts.
  • Grade Two: Here’s Looking At You 2000 lessons focus on friendship, coping, alcohol, tobacco, and the effects of drugs.
  • Grade Three: Lessons are presented on improving peer relationships and cooperation.
  • Grade Four: The student’s view a video titled “No More Teasing” and learn effective strategies to empower them and cope with the situation.
  • Grade Five: Conflict resolution lessons are emphasized since fifth grade students participate in the Peer Mediation Program.

Peer Mediation Program 

The Peer Mediation Program provides an opportunity for students to find peaceful solutions to their conflicts with a little help from peer mediators.  The fifth grade students complete applications that are reviewed by the school counselor and principal.  A minimum of twelve students is selected and successfully participates in seven hours of training during their recess and lunch.  They are engaged in a variety of activities designed to exercise and sharpen their listening, communicating, interviewing, and reflecting skills.

Teachers, students, the principal, school counselor, and playground aides make referrals to the peer mediators.  Wanting to work out problems peacefully and agreeing to make compromises are skills all students can learn and benefit from in life.  We are proud of the job our peer mediators do at Parkway Manor School. 
  

Lunch Bunch           
 
Students come to the guidance office in small groups to have lunch with the school counselor.  This helps the counselor have an ongoing, positive relationship with all the children in the school. 
  
 Developmental Characteristics

Many times a parent will ask me if a certain behavior is typical for a child at a certain age.

The following are nine year-old behaviors based on research from the Gessell Institute.  It is the Fitting Together Stage—Reorganizing.

The Child 

  1. is highly competitive
  2. grabs at impossible work loads
  3. is very conscious of his peer group
  4. is ready for more abstract and academic work
  5. is experiencing an age of tension, intense striving
  6. complains, cooperates, and takes responsibility
  7. wants independent privileges
  8. tries to perfect skills
  9. stands out as a misfit when overplaced in a nine year old group
  10. worries about things, like passing to the next grade
  11. feels peers are more important 
  12. is very critical of parents
  13. needs best friends

Please contact the counselor if you are interested in a list of developmental characteristics for a certain age.

Resource

Please contact the counselor to obtain information on topics such as divorce, death, behavioral issues or homework routines.