The Elementary School Counselor provides services for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.   In addition to meeting with students, teachers, and parents individually, the guidance counselor offers classroom guidance programs in grades kindergarten through five each month.  Some of the topics covered are self-esteem, anger management, drug education, respecting yourself and others, feelings, making good choices, friendship, bullying/teasing, and conflict resolution.

Other programs that are offered are:

• Kids on the Block – Grades K-5 – Sponsored by the Gertrude A. Barber Center Family Support Services Department
  
  This program promotes acceptance and appreciation of differences among us.  There are a special bunch of “kids”, who are actually a very special group of puppets.  They dress and act like real children, each has definite likes and dislikes, hopes and fears, talents and limitations.  And like real children some have differences like mental or physical disabilities, and some have lives touched by real problems. 

• The Bullying Program and/or Good Secrets, Bad Secrets – Grades K-5 – Crime Victim Center of Erie County
  
  The objectives of these programs are to promote a healthy self-concept and to encourage assertiveness for all of our students. 

• Officer Phil (Grades k-4 – NE Police Department) and/or Safety Kids Program (Grades k-5 - Pennsylvania State Police)
  
  The curriculum, featuring “Officer Phil”  or “Charlie Check-First,” is designed to teach children how to stay safe in a number of different situations.  The basic philosophy is that children need to CHECK FIRST before they go ANYWHERE with ANYONE.

A support group for children experiencing separation or divorce is available for students in grades three through five with parent permission.  Called BANANA SPLITS, these grade level groups meet every other week during their lunchtime. 

Other support groups offered are “Just for Boys” and “Just for Girls” for Students in Grades 4 and 6.  Topics discusses are varied and all related to getting along with each other and developing healthy relationships.

Parents interested in videos or books to assist them with the difficult job of parenting are welcome to borrow materials from the Lending Library in the Guidance Office. 

The office houses numerous books for children.  There are books that also cover a wide range of topics such as death, divorce, bullying, lying, and other topics of interest to parents.

Questions regarding district testing or special education needs of elementary students may be directed to the guidance counselor, Ms. Peck, as she is the District Assessment Coordinator and the special education contact for the district at the elementary level.  You may contact her through the Intermediate School office.

TRANSITION SERIES FOR PARENTS & FAMILIES