Guidance - Mt. Vernon Elementary

Elementary school years set the tone for developing the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for our children to become healthy, productive adults. With a comprehensive developmental counseling program, counselors work as a team with school, parents, and community to create a caring atmosphere whereby children’s needs are met through prevention, early identification and intervention.

During elementary years, students develop attitudes about self, peers, social groups, school and family. Students are developing decision-making, communication and other life training skills. The guidance programs help facilitate capable young people who become capable young adults. Students interact with the guidance counselors through Family Life Education, classroom guidance, individual counseling, small group counseling, and our Just Say No Club.

Classroom guidance focuses on:

understanding self and others
coping strategies
alcohol and drug education
problem-solving, decision-making, conflict resolution
study skills
communication, peer relationships, and effective social skills
career awareness and the world of work.

Individual and small group guidance provides support with:

academic development
self-image and self-esteem
personal adjustment
family issues
grief
anger management
behavior modification
peer mediation
social skills.

Overall, elementary guidance helps students to ……

achieve more in school

understand school programs, staff, services and activities

understand their abilities and interests

apply problem solving, decision making skills to resolve problems that get in the way of learning

learn and apply effective study habits

understand and accept themselves

become more independent and responsible for their behavior

feel valued

and most importantly, become capable!

FLE and classroom guidance has been completed in grades 1, 2 and 5. Grade 3 will be completed in April. Grade 4 will begin in April and kindergarten will begin in May.

Counseling groups, which are presently in progress and will continue throughout the year, are: anger management, parents’ away, and divorce. Please call me if you would like more information.

If you have any questions about the guidance programs, please do not hesitate to telephone me at 898-0338.

Katherine Bowden

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