Lower School Counseling Programs

Counseling
Services

Lower School:

Middle School:

Upper School:

Episcopal Home > Research & Support Services > Counseling Services > Lower School Counseling Programs

Lower School Counseling Services
Programs

Optional Small Counseling Groups:

Banana Splits: This group is for students with parents who are divorced or separated. The sessions include activities that encourage students to talk about their feelings and reactions to changes in their life.

Anger Managers: The focus of this group is on anger management. The students will learn to recognize their feelings and reactions to situations. They will learn healthy ways to control their anger.

Flower Power: This group is for 1st-3rd grade and the focus is on social skills. The sessions include instruction and discussion on recognizing feelings, communication skills, building friendships, and resolving conflicts.

Self-Control Patrol: This group is for 1st-3rd grade and the focus is on impulse-control/self-control. The sessions include instruction and discussion on appropriate classroom behaviors, impulse control, communications & listening, anger management, and conflict resolution. A token system is used for reinforcement throughout this group.

New Student Welcome Group: This group is offered to all new Lower School students to welcome them to our school. The goal is to ease the transition to a new school. Members are assigned a "buddy" to show them around the school and orient them. Group activities focus on beginning new friendships while encouraging flexibility and reaching adaptability during transitions.
*Groups are available on an as needed basis*

Individual Counseling:
The Lower School counselor is available for individual counseling for K-5th grade students. Referrals can be made by teachers, parents, or by students themselves.

Classroom Activities:
The counselor will work with teachers and faculty to meet the needs of students by going into the classroom. The counselor is available to present lessons on the following topics: friendships, social skills, character education, anxiety/stress management, test anxiety, anger management, conflict resolution, and study skills.

2nd Grade Social Skills Class:
This enrichment class focuses on self-esteem, friendship, feelings, communication skills, and conflict resolution. Students learn about these important concepts through crafts, storybooks, and role-play activities. All 2nd grade students take this class during the fall semester.

Parent Network and Educational Gatherings:
Parent to Parent is:
• For parents of all ages
• Facilitated by the parents for parents
• A parental network
• A video based program
• Eight individual sessions aimed at strengthening parental skills and building confidence in this Toxic Culture (more information)

Classroom Observations and Parent & Teacher Consultation
The lower school counselor is available to assist with students having behavioral or academic issues in the classroom. Through working with the student, teacher, and parent, I can assist in solving problems. This may be done through classroom observations, parent-teacher conferences, or individual meetings with the student.

Coordinate Tutoring Services for Lower School
Episcopal supplies names of tutors that are willing to work with students during the school day and on-site. The cost for tutoring is $36/hour. Parents are billed for services rendered by the school.

Additionally, the High School Key Club students volunteer to help lower school students with their homework after school. This service is free and depends on the availability.

Co-Instructor for Human Sexuality and Development
This instruction takes place during the school year for third and fifth grade. A permission slip will be sent and must be signed by parents for student participation. The instruction, which consists of three to five 25 minute sessions, will take place in the students' classroom with boys and girls separated. For 3rd grade, the book "Where do Babies Come From?" is used. For 5th grade, the book "How You Are Changing" is used. These books are published by Concordia Publishing House and are part of the "Learning About Sex" series developed by the family life department of the Lutheran Church. Pollard Library has both books available for parents to check out.