Guidance Services

Classroom Guidance

The guidance department works to visit each classroom at least one time per month (weekly in grades 4 & 5) to provide developmentally age appropriate guidance lessons on topics that can range from the following:

• Resiliency

• Social Skills

• Study Skills

• Career Education

• Coping Skills

• Conflict Resolution

• Emotional Regulation (feelings)

• Diversity/Acceptance

• Self-Esteem

• Friendship Skills

• Character Education 

Dependent upon student needs and teacher feedback, individualization of classroom guidance can be provided in both small group format and individual counseling sessions.

 Group Counseling

Matthew Thornton Elementary School offers small group counseling to all of its students.  Our school counseling program can form groups based on our intimate  knowledge of student needs, parents requests or teacher feedback/input. Student support groups are held during snack time, lunch, or recess.

Small groups usually have no more than 6-8 students and session occur over a period of 6-8 weeks for about 25 minutes.   

Student support groups can focus on various topics based on student need, but the departments current focus is on teaching student to be resilient in the face of difficult situations such as divorce and grief.  Building coping skills is what we ultimately want to provide the students who participate in support groups.

 Individual Counseling

Elementary School Counseling services are available to ALL STUDENTS. The services provided by elementary counselors may vary according to the needs of the school, classes, and students. Any student is welcome to visit with the counselor at his/her own request, or at the request of a parent or teacher.  In addition, counselors are available to talk with parents about any concerns they may have, and may be contacted by phone or by e-mail. Below you will find a few, brief facts about elementary school counseling:

♦Counselors honor requests for confidentiality by both parents and students; however, open communication between parent, student, counselor, and teacher is always encouraged when appropriate.

♦School counseling is usually brief lasting only one or two sessions and is not meant to replace therapeutic services that students may receive outside of school.

♦With parent permission, some students may meet with their counselor for a longer period of time to address concerns that are greatly impacting his or her academic achievement.

 Developmental Needs

The elementary years are a time when students begin to develop their academic self-concept and feelings of competence and confidence as learners. They are beginning to develop decision-making, communication and life skills, as well as character values. It is also a time when students develop and acquire attitudes toward school, self, peers, social groups and family. Comprehensive developmental school counseling programs provide education, prevention and intervention services, which are integrated into all aspects of children’s lives. Early identification and intervention of children’s academic and social/emotional needs is essential in removing barriers to learning and in promoting academic achievement. The knowledge, attitudes and skills students acquire in the areas of academic, career and social development during these elementary years serve as the foundation for future success.

Meeting the Challenge

Elementary school counselors are professional educators with a mental health perspective who understand and respond to the challenges presented by today’s diverse student population. Elementary school counselors don’t work in isolation; rather they are integral to the total educational program. They provide proactive leadership that engages all stakeholders in the delivery of programs and services to help students achieve school success. School counselors align with the school’s mission to support the academic achievement of all students as they prepare for the ever-changing world of the 21st century.

Our mission is to assist students in achieving their goals, become active participants in their learning, demonstrate kindness and empathy.  To this end, we promote access to equitable educational opportunities, develop the knowledge and skills necessary for college and career readiness, and support personal and social growth for all students.