Middle School

Counseling

• 2005-2006 Camp Pictures
  • 6th grade
  • 7th grade
  • 8th grade - Maui
  • 8th grade - Kualoa
• 2006-2007 Camp Pictures
  • 6th grade
  • 7th grade
  • 8th grade
• 2007-2008 Camp Pictures
  • 6th grade
  • 7th grade
  • 8th grade

• Conflict Management
  • Second Step
  • What to do when your Angry
  • Solve Problems
  • Active Listening
  • I-Messages
  • Negotiation Steps
  • Mediation Steps

• Schoolwide Agreements
  • Bullying
  • What is Harrassment?
  • What Witnesses Can Do?

Advisory

Tribes
   Teaming Rubric

Counseling and Guidance

K-8 Counselor, Diane Smith

The Middle School counseling and guidance program involves a proactive approach that includes:

Support of Wellness and Lifeskills curricula:
* emphasis on the qualities of sound character
* intentional focus on fostering a caring culture of learning through
   - the Advisory program, which focuses on personal identity, feelings awareness, goal setting,      communication skills, problem-solving and peacemaking skills.
   - the Middle School Tribes and Adventure Education programs, which focus on teaming skills      and personal challenge.

Responsive Services:
* Individual student discussion and skill building
* Small group discussion and skill building
* Mediation/Problem-solving facilitation
* Classroom guidance

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 the counseling and guidance program at Le Jardin is helping the school community understand what the school counselor here does not do. To clarify:
* the school counselor is not who “bad” students are sent to as a “last resort” because of    disruptive problems.
    - Students whose behavior violates school rules are handled by the appropriate principal or       the headmaster. Students who choose to be disruptive may be referred to the counselor by       the principal or by a teacher so that they can brainstorm and problem-solve other options to       get their needs met. However, such sessions are not disciplinary.
* the school counselor is not a psychoanalyst who delves into dysfunctional mental or emotional   issues.
    - If students have deep-seated problems or challenges that are not resolved through
      short-term problem-solving, their parents may be urged to consider seeking counseling       services outside the school.

At Le Jardin it is a good thing when a student gets assistance from the counselor because it shows that the student is taking responsibility for talking out and resolving a challenge in an effective manner.

How are students referred for counseling, mediation or problem-solving sessions:
• Self referral (95% of requests to visit the counselor are self-referrals)
• Included by another student in a request for help in resolving a problem
• Referral by teacher, principal or parent

Why might my child be going to the counselor?
The majority of students who visit the counselor are seeking to understand and resolve a misunderstanding or challenge they are having with a peer. No matter how old a person is, 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
   • deciphering and navigating social hierarchies and alliances
   • working and playing with peers who
     — feel, think and do things differently
     —may hurt, tease, leave out or manipulate
These issues are complicated, confusing and, many times, difficult to deal with constructively. 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. If we want to help students understand what it takes to develop authentic, mutually supportive relationships and to effectively resolve problems, we need to provide them with opportunities to both voice and listen to diverse points of view. At Le Jardin, the counselor’s office is a place where students will be supported in learning and practicing the thinking and communicative skills necessary for resolving their own problems. This is both an opportunity and a responsibility for students. As members of a learning community which asks its members to contribute towards building a supportive environment, all students are expected to put effort towards helping their classmates resolve problems and towards becoming positive, helpful community members.

Counselor contact information:
Phone: 261-0707, ext. 230
E-mail: dismith@lejardinacademy.com