Shenendehowa's Elementary counselors are an integral part of each school's learning team and work to support the District's Values and Beliefs (understanding how and why students learn) as well as the District Mission:

To work continuously and in partnership with the community to ensure that all students develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, abilities, and character needed to live useful, productive and rewarding lives.

Shenendehowa’s elementary counselors provide a developmental and preventive program that promotes student learning by supporting the positive personal, social and emotional growth of all students.

Through individual and group counseling, classroom lessons, consultation and collaboration, the counselors work with students, staff, parents and community resources to promote student adjustment and  academic success.  Working closely with building principals, the counselors advocate for students through the following activities:

STUDENTS

Provide direct individual counseling or coaching for students with a range of academic, personal or behavioral needs as well as those experiencing crisis situations
Support and monitor academic progress and performance
Facilitate groups to address developmental needs: e.g., friendship/peer
relations, assertiveness/social skills, organization/study skills, and stress management
Facilitate support groups to help students cope with and adjust to change and transitions in their lives:  e.g., moving, family changes and bereavement
Present classroom lessons on preventive/developmental topics or in response to specific classroom issues as needed/requested by teacher
Assist with new student orientation and adjustment
Support students involved in the child protective process
Participate in the kindergarten orientation process
Coordinate student safety programs:

2^nd grade Empowering Children to Stay Safe
4^th grade Helping Children Manage Their Anger

Facilitate transfer of student information between schools
Support/coordinate student mentoring programs
Encourage students to identify their strengths and interests as well as develop good work habits and responsibility

STAFF

Consult and problem solve with teachers, support staff and administrators about student learning and behavior needs as well as classroom environment
Collaborate on classroom lessons and parent conferences
Develop and/or facilitate staff training and workshop opportunities

 BUILDING/DISTRICT

Serve on Instructional Support and/or Child Study teams
Participate as needed in the district or building special education process
Support the process of enrichment/acceleration as needed
Assist class list development process
Serve on Safe Schools or Crisis Intervention teams
Promote and participate in building-wide character education programs and initiatives that foster a positive learning environment and a climate of tolerance, such as:

Character Counts
B.E.S.T. (Building Esteem in Students Today)
C.A.R.E. Team (Citizenship, Accountability, Responsibility, Ethics)
Peace Teams/Peaceable Schools
Morning Program
D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education)

Communicate with K-12 counselors regarding student expectations, academic growth and adjustment

FAMILIES

Meet with parents regarding school and developmental concerns
Support families experiencing crisis situations
Provide parenting and mental health resource materials
Refer families to professional services and community agencies or programs as needed
Collaborate with district Family Resource Coordinator
Coordinate community resources for families in need
Connect with families new to the school or the district
Plan and facilitate parenting workshops/programs
 Disseminate parenting information

COMMUNITY

Consult and collaborate with community agencies:

CAPTAIN Youth and Family Services (Phone Friend’s Homework Helpline, Peace Camp, Family Assistance Program, and Family Life Advisory Committee)

Family and Children’s Services of Albany (SSTARS Family Counseling Program)

Saratoga Center for the Family (student safety and anger management programs)

Saratoga County Children’s Services (child protective and preventive services)

Southern Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce (Chamber Angels)

Elementary counselors help students reach their academic goals through the following interventions:

Counseling…meeting with students individually or in small groups to help them resolve or cope with problems or concerns that interfere with learning.
Large Group Guidance…collaborating with classroom teachers to present lessons and activities that meet students’ developmental needs and address specific classroom issues.
Consultation…working with parents, teachers, administrators, and other professionals to plan and implement strategies and programs to help students be successful in school.
Collaboration…helping organize and manage programs and services to meet student needs within the school…serving as a liaison between the school and community agencies to assist parents in obtaining needed services.
Professional Development…maintaining and furthering  skills and knowledge through courses, workshops and professional reading.

Shenendehowa’s school counselors are Masters level graduates of accredited counseling programs and are certified by the New York State Education Department as School Counselors K-12.

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