Resources
The School Counselor's Role
What is an Elementary School Counselor?
A person who helps all children
A teacher
A resource person for teachers and parents
A friend to talk to
A liaison
A consultant
A coordinator
What Does the Elementary School Counselor Do in the School?
Meets with new students
Conducts classroom lessons that conform with the New Jersey State Core Curriculum Standards
Meets with children individually and in groups
Consults with staff, parents, other professional agencies
Observes children at work, lunch, and play, to gain a greater understanding
Serves on the Intervention and Referral Services Committee
Children Can See the Counselor About ALL Kinds of Things…
good or bad feelings
personal problems
self-concept
underachievement
peer relationships
fears
school transitions
problem-solving skills
changing inappropriate behavior
feeling good about school
dealing with a loss
Where Might the Child See the Counselor?
Classroom
Counselor’s office
Hall
Lunchroom
Small group settings
How Does A Child See the Counselor?
Self-referral
Teacher referral
Parent referral
Principal referral
Child Study Team referral
The School Counselor Works With Parents
To discuss concerns
To help parents understand…
their child’s growth and development.
their child’s feelings and behaviors.
Morning Message
- Morning announcements are a proven way to set the tone for the day and build morale and a sense of school "community." In Chairville's Morning Message, members of the school's student body take over the daily routine, which continues with the Pledge of Allegiance, a thought or example about the core value for the month and birthday shout-outs. The School Counselor selects student(s) in Kindergarten - 5th grades to create these messages because we think the student body might listen more closely and follow their example of demonstrating our school's core values. All students come to close the a.m. ritual with an upbeat message "Make It A Great Day".
- Our Core Values
- Respect - behavior intended to please others; courteous regard for people's feelings; a feeling of friendship and esteem; to regard someone highly. Celebrated in September and May.
- Responsibility - having the job of taking something or someone; to be trusted to do what is right or do the things that are expected. Celebrated in October and March.
- Integrity - to tell the truth, and treat people equally; take responsibility for our own feelings and actions; doing the right thing even when no one is watching (both online and off). Celebrated in November and April.
- Kindness - the quality or state of being warm-hearted, gentle, considerate, and empathetic; to show concern for another person's feelings; to help someone who is in need. Celebrated in December and June.
- Trustworthiness - being reliable; do what you say you'll do; to tell the truth and be honest, even when it may be difficult; being loyal to your friends and community. Celebrated in January.
- Fairness - the quality or state of being equal; seeing the many sides of one issue. Celebrated in February.
- Submit A Morning Message!
- Open this link: Morning Message Worksheet
- Fill out a Morning Message at home with your child
- Email or Share to me [email protected]
- If selected, they will receive a date to share their message over morning announcements
- *Please note that this is a first come first serve program so not all submissions will be selected.
- **Students are allowed to group with no more than 2 other students.
Peer Mediation
- What is Peer Mediation?
Let me start by saying that this is an opportunity for every parent to be proud of their child for “talking it out”. As you may be aware, we have a Peer Mediation program in our school where we have 8 students selected and trained mediators who are available to help children with their everyday squabbles with peers. To keep small disagreements from escalating, the children learn the responsibility of communicating any concerns and listening to both sides of the story. These are strong problem-solving skills for the future and often give kids a voice they are not sure they had.
There are a few simple steps to Peer Mediation:- Students need to agree that there is a small problem and agree to solve it.
- They need to follow the rules as the peer mediators listen to both sides of the story.
- The children brainstorm ways to solve the problem and will AGREE on solutions that will benefit all.
- The children sign the agreement, like a contract, and it stays in my office. (Some children may request a copy to go home)
- The children shake hands and are praised for their hard work and honesty.
- The peer mediators check-in with the students to make sure the agreement is being used.
- Parents, by NO MEANS does this mean your child is in trouble. Although I am in the room, I try to sit quietly and let them talk it out. Children are not pulled out of instructional time, this is during the unstructured time only. This is NOT an attempt to make people friends who are not friends. This is for friends who want to remain friends and work out a problem. Sometimes this empowers children to speak up to someone they normally don’t feel comfortable. If there is ever a serious issue or bullying involved, I handle it uniquely and at a different level.
PLEASE SUPPORT THE PROGRAM!
Small Group Counseling
Medford Township Public School’s school counseling program offers small group counseling to students who are interested in furthering their emotional and social skills. Various topics are addressed in the small group.
Such as:
- Social Skills-helps student develop strategies that assist with peer interactions
- Creative Relaxation-coping strategies designed to alleviate stressful thinking
- Self Confidence-improve sense of self and overall well-being
- Organization and Time Management
- Family Changes-separation, divorce, death, moving
Students are grouped by age, as needs and appropriate activities differ. Groups run throughout the school year and meet for 30-45 minutes.
If you are interested in having your child sign up, please print and fill out the form below.
Community Resources
There are many excellent practitioners in our community. You may wish to consult with your family doctor and your insurance carrier for additional names.
Psychotherapy Today is an online search engine that has biographies and contact information to various providers in our community.
Counseling Agencies
The Community Counseling Center of Moorestown VNA
300 Harper Drive
Moorestown, NJ 08057
856-380-1070 or 877-862-8001
Center for Family Guidance
765 East Route 70
Building A-100
Marlton, NJ 08053
856-983-3900
Center for Counseling and Education, LLC
66 N. Main St.
Medford, NJ 08055
609-714-8400
Medford Family Psychiatry
Dr. Thomas O'Reilly, MD
560 Stokes Rd Unit 13-A
Medford, NJ 08055
609-257-3157
Genesis Counseling Center
Marlton Office
2003C Lincoln Drive West
Marlton, NJ 08053
856-596-8007
http://www.genesiscenters.org/index.php
Emergency Services
CONTACT Community Helpline
24-hour counseling and crisis intervention.
(856) 795-2155 or 1-877-266-8222
PerformCare
PerformCare partners with the New Jersey Children’s System of Care (CSOC) as the single point of entry for all children, adolescents, and young adults (up to age 21) who are in need of behavioral health, developmental and intellectual disability, or certain substance use treatment services.
1-877-652-7624
http://www.performcarenj.org/index.aspx
DCP&P
Department of Child Permanency and Protection (formerly Division of Youth & Family Services)
To report child abuse or neglect, please call the hotline:
1-877-NJ ABUSE (652-2873)
A website for assistance with food, housing, finances, health care, goods, etc. You put in your zip code and it will give you the closest places to obtain free or reduced assistance for your needs.
Helpful Literature
Books - Stress Read Alongs On-line
Wemberly Worried by Kevin Hanks
Wilma Jean the Worry Machine by Julia Cook
Books - Social Skills Read Alongs On-line
I Just Want to do it MY WAY - by Julia Cook
Kindness is Cooler - by Margery Cuyler
Personal Space Camp - by Julia Cook
Stick and Stone - by Beth Ferry
What If Everybody Did That? - By Colleen Madden
Calming Down Strategies
The below link has 4 strategy cards (Deep breathing; ABC game; Grounding exercise; Room search)
Pandemic Resources
Parent Resources
How to talk to your children and reduce stress/anxiety about Coronavirus
Articles/Resources:
Child Mind Institute - “Talking with Kids About the Coronavirus”
Michigan Health - “How To Talk To Your Child About Covid 19”
The Conversation - “How to Talk to your kids about COVID-19”
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: “The Pandemic Flu Fact Sheet”
Establishing a Routine at Home
Your Morning Basket - “Best Tips for Creating a Daily Schedule”
Medford Township Public Schools
School Counselors’ Sample Schedule
|
Before 9:00 AM |
Morning Routine |
Make beds, eat breakfast, brush teeth & get dressed |
|
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM |
Outdoor Time; Movement Break; Mindfulness |
Family walk; outdoor play; bear walks; wall push-ups; jumping jacks; Yoga; Deep breathing |
|
9:15 AM - 11:15 AM |
Academic Time |
MTPS Curriculum |
|
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM |
Outdoor Time; Movement Break; Mindfulness |
Family walk; outdoor play; bear walks; wall push-ups; jumping jacks; Yoga; Deep breathing |
|
12:15 PM - 1:15 PM |
Lunch |
|
|
1:15 PM - 3:15 PM |
Academic Time |
MTPS Curriculum |
|
3:15 PM - 3:45 PM |
Quiet Time |
|
|
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM |
Outdoor Time; Movement Break; Mindfulness |
Family walk; outdoor play; bear walks; wall push-ups; jumping jacks; Yoga; Deep breathing |