Elementary K-5 Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program

Mission Statement

The mission of the Bondurant-Farrar Community School District counseling program is to provide a comprehensive, developmental counseling program that is preventative in nature addressing the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students.  The program is clearly articulated so that all stakeholders understand, support and implement the role of the school counseling program.  The school counseling program will ensure that all students become productive citizens.

The Bondurant-Farrar Elementary School Counselors follow the ASCA (American School Counselors Association) Model. Our delivery system provides services to students, parents, school staff, and the community in the following areas:

Direct Student Services are in-person interactions between school counselors and students and include the following:

School counseling core curriculum: This curriculum consists of structured lessons designed to help students attain the desired competencies and to provide all students with the knowledge, attitudes, and skills appropriate for their developmental level. The school counseling core curriculum is delivered throughout the school’s overall curriculum and is systematically presented by school counselors in K-5 classrooms and group activities.

Individual student planning: School counselors coordinate ongoing systemic activities designed to assist students in establishing personal goals and developing future plans.

Responsive Services: Responsive services are activities designed to meet students’ immediate needs and concerns. Responsive services may include counseling in individual or small-group settings or crisis response.

Indirect Student Services are provided on behalf of students as a result of the school counselors’ interactions with others including referrals for additional assistance, consultation and collaboration with parents, teachers, other educators and community organizations.

Purpose of an Elementary School Counselor:

• To prevent, rather than treat problems
•  To help students develop a sense of self-worth and belonging which are necessary before a child can grow academically
• To promote a positive school environment     

Duties of the Elementary Counselor:

• Conducts classroom guidance activities
• Sees children individually and in small groups
• Works with, and helps orient, new students to the building
• Works with parents and teachers
• Uses the community as a resource
• Acts as a liaison with outside agencies
• Gains understanding through observation

Benefits of an Elementary Counselor:

For Children:

• Recognize their strengths and weaknesses and improve their school experience
• Build self-confidence and self-esteem
• Learn decision-making skills
• Establish and maintain healthy relationships with others
• Learn self-respect and dignity
• Deal with concerns, feelings, and goals
• Learn communication and leadership skills
• Better understand themselves and others
• Gain optimum benefits from the school experience
• Gain valuable citizenship skills

For Parents:

• Learn about their child’s growth and development
• Appreciate the child’s abilities, limitations, and progress
• Help their child develop emotional and social skills that help them in life
• Help their child cope with crises arising with the family (e.g. divorce, death, or serious illness)
• Increase knowledge and skills by sharing information and materials

For School Personnel:

• Establish a positive learning environment
• Identify the needs of students and coordinate appropriate services
• Initiate classroom counseling activities that promote understanding of self and others
• Complement teacher efforts in promoting positive social and emotional growth in children

To Receive Individual or Small Group Counseling Services, the Child may be referred by:

• Him or herself
• A parent
• A teacher
• An administrator
• A friend

Hello from the energetic hallways of Anderson Elementary! Miss Merabeth Heinitz, the 3rd & 4th grade school counselor. More info to come - 

Through the school guidance program, I will be available to provide the following services to help your child be successful in school. 

*Classroom guidance classes which take place once on the 5 day cycle week for 40 minutes.

*Small group or one on one counseling as needed to deal with behavioral, social or emotional issues that might arise.

*Collaboration with staff and parents to deliver the most appropriate and effective counseling services.

If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact me at Anderson Elementary.  I’m excited about this school year and look forward to working with your child/children.

Sincerely,

Merabeth Heinitz

heinitzm@bfschools.org

515-967-7494