Ebb Valley Elementary School

Counselor’s Corner

Welcome to the School Counseling webpage! My name is Lisa Spera, the School Counselor at Ebb Valley Elementary School. This page provides you with information about the School Counseling program, upcoming counseling-related activities and events, and counseling topics and resources.

EVE School Counseling Mission Statement

The EVE School Counseling program aims to create and maintain a safe, collaborative learning community where comprehensive services are delivered to every student to maximize his/her achievement as well as his/her personal, social, academic, and career-related potential.

EVE student-generated mission statement:

"Our mission at Ebb Valley is to safely and respectfully work together, doing our very best each day."

 What is a School Counselor?

-a certified, trained, and caring professional who works with all students, parents, teachers, staff and the community, in order for each student to achieve academic and social success. School Counseling services are delivered in four specific ways:

• School Guidance Curriculum- designing ,structuring, and delivering classroom lessons designed to achieve specific competencies in all grades K-5 (personal/social, academic, career)and driven by the needs of the school population

• Individual Student Planning- assisting students with goal formation/planning (behavioral, academic, etc.)

• Responsive Services- meeting immediate student needs (counseling, crisis intervention, consultation, referral, peer mediation, information-providing)

• System Support- schoolwide program planning and implementation (PBIS, Instructional Leadership Teaming, etc.), consulting with other professionals, coordination of various supports for students and families

 What types of counseling supports are delivered by a School Counselor?

*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, peer pressure, friends, stress, academics, social skills, academics, bullying, getting along with others, 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 and social skills, study skills, conflict resolution, anger management, self-esteem, and stress-management.

*Classroom Guidance/Classroom Counseling A process that requires the School Counselor to develop and implement K-5 classroom curriculum.  This K-5 curriculum addresses personal, social, academic, and career-related needs at the child's developmental level.  Topics may include self-esteem, conflict resolution, study skills, anger management, career awareness, tattling/reporting, friendship/social skills, responsibility, respect, teasing/bullying, feelings, cooperation, goal setting/decision-making, and peer pressure. 

EVE Programs Coordinated by the Counselor

• Support the development, implementation, and monitoring of behavior plans
• PBIS Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
• Education that is Multicultural
• Schoolwide Developmental Classroom Counseling Program
• Take a Stand, Lend a Hand, Bully-Prevention/Intervention Program
• Social/Emotional Learning/Character Development 
• Parent-partnerships: conferencing, resourcing, programming
   

Resources Commonly Used to Assist Students 

• Ice-Breaker Exercises

• Art -Therapeutic Experiences

• Play- Therapeutic Experiences 

• Bibliotherapeutic Experiences (relevant books)

• Conflict-Resolution Contracting

• Video-clip discussion/analysis

• Behavioral Coaching/Role Plays

• Therapeutic Games

• Active Listening Skill-Development

• Classroom Counseling Programs and Games