The Elementary Counselor at Chango provides students with a comprehensive and developmental school counseling program. At Chango Elementary, the counselor works as a team with students, parents, educators and community members to provide a positive learning environment where our children's needs are met through prevention, early identification, and interventions. The counseling program focuses on the academic and social success of all students.

The elementary school years set the tone for developing the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary for students to grow into healthy and successful adults. Elementary school is a time when students develop attitudes concerning school, self, peers, social groups, and family. It is a time when students develop decision making skills, and learn character values. The counseling program at Chango provides numerous services for students, parents, and educators to participate in.

Some of the roles of the counselor include:

• Implementing classroom guidance programs, focusing on understanding self and others, peer relationships, social skills, problem solving, decision-making, conflict resolution, study skills, bullying prevention, community building, study skills, career awareness and multicultural awareness.

• Providing individual and small group counseling, dealing with topics such as self confidence, family issues, peer relationships, academic skills, and peer mediation.

• Provide consultation with parents, teachers, administrators, and other colleagues concerning the personal and academic success of our students.

• Communicate and exchange information with families by way of conferences, parent education programs and newsletters.

Based on Elementary School Counselors: Helping Students Make the Grade pamphlet produced by the New York State School Counselor Association.