Counselor's Corner Cunningham Park Elementary School

Ms. Jessica Elliot  is the school's Guidance Counselor. She is available to all Cunningham Park students and parents.  Parents may contact Ms. Elliott by calling the school office at  (703) 255-5600.

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You may have noticed a new face around the counseling office.  We are privileged to have a counseling intern student here at Cunningham Park.  Her name is Liane Paulson.  She is finishing her internship through Virginia Tech, NOVA center and will be with us through April.  Ms. Paulson is working with our students in small group counseling, individual counseling, and classroom guidance lessons.  In addition to her intership hours, Ms. Paulson will work in the guidance office at Longfellow Middle School in the McLean High School pyramid.  Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Ms. Paulson. Peer Mediation One of the ways that Cunningham Park is addressing student conflict this year is through peer mediation. Peer mediation is a confidential process in which students have the opportunity to talk through their disputes with a neutral third-party, the peer mediators. Cunningham Park is pleased to announce the revival of the Peer Mediation program. Six fifth and sixth grade students have been training all last semester to prepare for the leadership role of a peer mediator. They were chosen because they are respected by their peers, have good verbal skills, and model good character. Peer mediators do not take sides or decide which party is at fault. They actively listen to each side of the story, paraphrase the disputant’s statements and feelings, and ask clarifying questions. Mediators help the disputants brainstorm possible solutions and come to an agreement. Peer mediators are always under the direct supervision of Mrs. Elliot. Mediation request forms can be obtained from Mrs. Elliot’s door or a teacher. The program will be introduced on the morning news show the first week of December. If you would like further information about the Peer Mediation program, please contact the School Counselor, Jessica Elliot at 703-255-5615 or Jessica.Elliot.fcps.edu.

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Internet Resources for Parents

Parenthood.com
FamilyEducation
The National Parenting Center
Parent Soup

These are just a few recommended by the FLI Center.  Again, see our bulletin board for more and check out the Internet resources listed here on the Cunningham Park Elementary School site.

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Parent Lending Library:  The Parent Lending Library is located under the PTA bulletin board.  If you want to sign out a book or video, just complete the form in the folder labeled “Parent Lending Library.”  Please make sure to sign out any resources you borrow so that we do not lose any.  For those new to CPES, the parent library houses many resources on a variety of parenting topics including:  communication, effective discipline, school issues, developmental issues, raising girls and boys, social skills and much more.

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Parent Information Board:  Attached to the PTA bulletin board you will find a parent information board.  I will be posting information on parenting classes, groups and other opportunities for families in the Fairfax area.   If you would like more information about items posted on the board, please see me.

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