System
Support
- Consultation
with teachers, administrators
- In-service
education and support
- Parent
education and support
What
is not part of the counseling and
guidance program?
One
of the biggest challenges for school counselors
is helping students, teachers, administrators,
and parents understand what a school counselor
does not do. To
clarify, the school counselor at Le Jardin
is
- not who “bad” students
are sent to as a “last resort” because of
disruptive problems.
-Students who choose to
be disruptive are sometimes referred to the counselor to brainstorm and problem-solve
other options to get their needs met.
- not a
psychiatric investigator who delves into
dysfunctional mental or emotional issues.
- Students
with recurring challenges that are not resolved through problem solving may be
referred to outside counseling services.
- not a
quasi-administrator, who metes out discipline,
consequences or punishment.
- Students whose behavior
violates school rules are handled by the appropriate principal or the headmaster.
Why
is MY child going to the counselor?
Some
of the most complicated and challenging aspects
of life are figuring out how to relate to and
communicate with others. The
social dimension of school is extremely important
and energy consuming for your child. Some
of the issues he or she may struggle with are:
- building,
maintaining and, sometimes, transitioning
out of friendships
- working
and playing with peers who
o feel,
think and do things differently
o may
hurt, tease, leave out or manipulate
These
issues are complicated, confusing and, many
times, difficult to deal with constructively.
As one child said recently, “I just am not
comfortable talking with the person I have
a problem with.” This
is exactly one reason for having a counselor
at school. It
is neither comfortable nor easy to speak up
for oneself in an assertive and yet non-combative
manner. Just
as difficult is listening non-defensively
to another person’s perspective on one’s behavior. However,
both speaking up and listening effectively
are critical to building authentic, mutually
supportive relationships and resolving problems.
At
Le Jardin, the counselor is an important resource
for students as they learn to take responsibility
for resolving
their own problems. The counselor is a guide who creates a safe environment for
learning and practicing assertive, clear communication,
conflict resolution and problem solving. As
members of a learning
community which asks its members to contribute
towards building a supportive environment,
students are expected to put effort towards
helping their classmates resolve problems and
towards becoming positive, helpful group participants.
If a problem is not resolved
through formally talking out the problem, a child
may request that a written agreement be prepared
which outlines the solutions that have been agreed
to. Each student signs the agreement with the
understanding that if any of the agreements are
not upheld, they need to meet again to revise
the agreement. If a student breaks any of the
agreements a third time, that student will need
to meet with the principal. The principal will
ascertain what disciplinary consequences are
needed.
Ways
in which students participate in counseling,
mediation or problem-solving sessions:
- Self referral (95% of individual counseling is self-referred.
- Included by another student in a request for help in resolving
a problem
- Referral
by teacher, principal or parent
Contact
information:
Phone:
261-0707, ext. 290
E-mail: jkurata@lejardinacademy.com
