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School Counseling

Hands on the Earth


 Counselor’s Corner

 
 
Welcome to the School Counseling webpage! My name is Katie Barrett, the School Counselor and this marks my 3rd year at Eldersburg! My webpage was designed to provide you with a wealth of counseling related topics and resources.
During the year, if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s academic and/or social/emotional health and well-being, please contact me at school at either (410) 751-3520 or (410) 795-1702 or e-mail me at krbarre@carrollk12.org.   
I look forward to working with you and your children this year! :-) I wish all of our Eldersburg families a healthy, happy, and safe 2009-2010 academic year!
 
The Mission Statement
The mission of the School Counseling Program is to promote the academic and social / emotional growth of all students. Counselors, as integral members of the educational team, help to support students in making positive life choices and becoming responsible and caring adults.
 
What is a School Counselor?
A certified, trained, and caring professional who is available to work with all students, parents, teachers, and staff in order to help students achieve academic and social success. The School Counseling program is delivered through the following four services:
 
Classroom Guidance Curriculum – developmentally appropriate classroom lessons that correspond to the needs of the K-5 population. Lessons encompass academic, career, and/or personal/social goals.
 
Individual Student Planning – assists students in academic planning, decision-making, and goal-setting.
 
Responsive Services – address students’ immediate academic and/or social/emotional needs through individual counseling, group counseling, collaboration with teachers, staff, and parents, consultation with professionals in the counseling field, coordinating services for students and families, and crisis prevention and intervention.
 
System Support – school wide program planning, implementation, and support (PBIS, School Improvement Planning, Instructional Support Team, Pupil Services Team).
 
What are the 3 “C’s” of Counseling?
  1. Consultation and Collaboration – the School Counselor consults and collaborates with teachers and school staff, specialists, and outside resources in order to assist students. Communicating with parents is an integral part of the Counselor’s role. Please feel free to address any concerns you may have regarding your child with the Counselor. Also, the Counselor can refer you to outside counseling resources.
  2. Coordination – the School Counselor will work with teachers, staff, and parents to assess the needs of the students in order to create and implement the best possible services. The program will also be evaluated for success throughout the school year.
  3. Counseling – the School Counselor will provide counseling services to students in the following capacities:
Individual Counseling
A process where students discuss issues in a safe, positive, and confidential setting (for a limited time; ongoing therapy is not available at school). Topics are based on the needs of the students and may include: feelings, changing families, grief and loss, friendship, stress/anxiety, academics, bullying, problem-solving, and decision-making.
 
Small Group Counseling
A process where students, sharing similar issues and concerns, work together in a small group environment consisting of about 5-8 peers. The group sessions usually last about 30 minutes and are held for approximately 6-8 weeks. Topics are based on the needs of the students and may include divorce or changing families, grief and loss, friendship/social skills, work habits/study skills, anger management, self-esteem, anxiety and stress management.
 
Classroom Guidance
A process that includes planning and conducting developmentally appropriate classroom lessons based on student needs. The following classroom guidance topics will be addressed during the ’09-’10 academic year for the K-5 population:
 
Kindergarten – emotional awareness and friendship skills
 
First Grade – work habits (working quietly, staying on task, always trying, listening, and paying attention
 
Second Grade – problem solving (differentiating between small and big problems and learning strategies for solving problems)
 
Third Grade – work habits/study skills (completing tasks on time, following directions, doing your best, paying attention, working hard, test taking strategies)
 
Fourth Grade – emotional intelligence (recognizing and understanding feelings/perceptions in self and others; recognizing and understanding differences; assertiveness
 
Fifth Grade – career awareness program culminating in a “Career Fair” at the end of the year
                                                                                                                                 Programs Coordinated by the Counselor
  • Character Education – incorporated in classroom guidance lessons and through PBIS program
  • Part of PBIS team (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports)
  • M-A-C (Mid-Atlantic Clothing) Recycling Used Clothing Collection Fundraiser (more information to come)
  • Red Ribbon Week (coordinate with Health teacher)
  • Bully Prevention (coordinate with Health teacher)
  • “Adopt a Family” project (Christmas time)
  • Career Awareness program and “Career Fair” in 5th grade
  • Homework Club
Counseling Resources Used to Assist Students
  • Books
  • Art
  • Play
  • Sand box
  • Letter writing
  • Videos
  • Role Playing
  • Games
  • Puppets
  • Counseling programs and activities 

 

Please visit the links below for some great parent/child resources
 

 Parent Resources:

http://www.behavioralhealth.army.mil/families/  (Military Families)

 

http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/  (Child Development)

 

http://www.connectwithkids.com/  (Raising Kids with Character)

 

http://www.sandbox-learning.com/default.asp?page=105 (Great Articles from Sandbox Learning)

 

http://kidshealth.org/parent/ (KidsHealth is the #1 most visited site for children’s health and development) – this is my favorite website for parents and kids!

 

http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/ (Child Heath and Safety)

 

http://www.aap.org/ (American Academy of Pediatrics)

 

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/internet-safety/ (Internet Safety)

 

http://www.upsidedownorganization.org/ (Brain Health)

 

http://www.realparentsrealanswers.com/ (parents talk and share about kids not smoking)

 

http://www.baltimoreschild.com/home/index.cfm (Baltimore’s Child)

 

http://addvance.com/ (answers questions regarding ADD/ADHD

 

http://chadd.org/ (children and adults with ADD/ADHD)

 

http://www.parents.com/ (happy kids; healthy families)

 

 

Child Resources:

 

http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/ (PBS Kids site)

 

http://kidshealth.org/kid/ (KidsHealth is the #1 most visited site for children’s health and development) – this is my favorite website for parents and kids! –

 

http://www.netsmartz.org/index.aspx (Internet safety/cyber bullying)

 

http://www.how-to-study.com/ (Study Skills/Test Taking Strategies)

 

http://www.bls.gov/oco/  (Career Information – 2008-2009 Occupational Outlook Handbook)

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/neurok.html (Healthy Brains)

 

http://www.factmonster.com/ (games/puzzles/quizzes, homework center and more)

 

 

 

Counseling professionals/organizations located in Eldersburg / Westminster

 

  1. Progressive Counseling & Treatment Service, Inc.

266 East Main Street

Westminster, MD 21157

Phone: 410-848-7848

 

  1. Get Connected Family Resource Center

255 Clifton Boulevard, Suite 204

Westminster, MD 21158

Phone: 410-871-0008; 866-664-0008

Fax: 410-871-0228

www.GetConnectedcc.org

 

  1. Family and Children's Services of Central Maryland

Westminster Counseling Office
22 North Court Street
Westminster, MD 21157

Phone:  410-876-1233
Fax: 410-876-4791
Email: info@fcsmd.org

http://www.fcsmd.org

 

  1. Carroll County Youth Service Bureau

332-140 Village Road

JCK Center Suites 1-7

Westminster, MD 21157

Phone: 410-848-2500 or 410-876-2500

Fax: 410-876-3016

http://www.ccysb.org

 

  1. Carroll Counseling Center, LLC and Attention Learning Disorders Clinic

South Carroll Medical Offices

1380 Progress Way, Suite 101

Eldersburg, MD 21784

Phone: 410-549-5181

Fax: 410.549.5182

Drs. Malcy and Shapiro

http://www.carrollcounseling.com

                        This is the only mental health facility in Carroll County that has a

Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist who practices in Mt. Airy.

This practice also has a Pediatrician who specializes in Behavioral Issues.

 

    6.  Carroll Mental Health Center

Psychiatric Care with Compassion

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Adult Psychiatry

Children with Special Needs

6190 Georgetown Boulevard, Ste 105

Eldersburg, MD 21784

Phone: (410) 552-9004

Fax: (410) 552-9003

Dr. Sandy Saville, LCSW-C

ssaville@carrollmhc.com

      

     7.  Cedar Ridge Counseling Center

1475 Liberty Road

Suite 108

Eldersburg, MD 21784

Phone: (410) 552-0773

http://www.cedarridgecounseling.com/

 

     8.  Access Counseling Services, LLC

                        Kate Sanner, LCSW-C

                        Psychotherapist for: Children (0-12) and families

                        Specialist-Developmental Delays & Disorders

                        Women (Specialist-Midlife Issues)

                        Westminster Office

                        280 Main Street, Suite 103

                        Westminster, MD 21157

                        Ph: 410-995-5555, ext. 13

                        Website: www.accesscounselingcolumbia.com

                        E-mail: k_sanner@msn.com

    

    9.  M.Y. Counseling Services

                        Mindy Yard, LCPC

                        Works with children, adolescents, teens, and adults

                        Play Therapy, Individual Counseling, Family Counseling

66 East Main Street, Suite 300E

                        Westminster, MD 21157

                        Ph: 443-536-1277

 

 

Please see link below to view article on Halloween safety. 

 http://www.sandbox-learning.com/FileLib/Preparing_Children_for_Trick_or_Treating.pdf

 
 
          Please stay tuned for upcoming counseling events and activities!!