Guidance Counselors

Guidance Lessons are provided based on the individual needs of the classroom. The counselors believe that individualizing Guidance will better meet the diverse needs of each classroom.Research suggests that we all learn more efficiently in a small group setting, so our main focus will be conducting small group and individual counseling.Another focus is providing support for our Character Education program. Each quarter we will emphasize a certain trait, which will be supported by materials from the Counselors, augmented in the classroom and culminated in a grade level assembly presenting ribbons, certificates, and pencils. To participate in the assembly students must receive an "O" (Outstanding) in the citizenship portion of the report card that demonstrates that trait. The traits emphasized may include:

Courtesy and Kindness
Respect
Responsibility
Honesty
Cooperation

Groups

Focus groups may include: Study Skills, Divorce, Making and Keeping Friends, Loss of a Loved One, etc. We have begun to hold focus groups, mainly during students' lunch times so as not to interrupt instruction. If you would be interested in having your child participate in a focus group, please contact your grade level counselor.Lunch also seems to be a very popular time for students wanting to eat with their counselor and a small group of friends. These groups are typically "lunch bunches" and are less a function of counseling than they are a function of friendship. We have scheduled these on the very few days that no focus groups have been scheduled.

Other groups include, but are not limited to: School's Fun; ADD/ADHD; Improving Behavior; Divorce or other Family Issues; Anger; Self-Esteem; Motivation for Better Behavior; Getting Better at Getting Along; Being a Military Kid; and Long-Term Illness.

Additional Guidance Services

Sure, we do plenty of counseling at school, but what else do counselors at Ft. Belvoir do?...

We are sponsors of the Student Council Association (SCA), a Peer Mediation program, a Mentor Program, and a Character Education program.
We will also sponsor special nights for parents and students as well as New Parent Orientations.
We often sponsor participation in community service projects, such as Earth Day Project.The Commissary provides brown paper bags to Fort Belvoir Elementary. The bags are given to students to color an Earth Day theme on one side. The bags are used as the regular grocery bags at the Commissary on Earth Day.
The counselors serve as liaisons for Fort Belvoir's business partners.
Our committee involvements really keep us busy. We serve on various committees such as Team Leaders, S. R. & R. (Student Responsibilities and Rights), School Plan Committee, SCA Faculty Committee, Local Screening/Child Study Committee, and G.T. Screening Committee. We also act as resource staff for the faculty. We also help facilitate Community Service Projects for the IB program and for other students as needed.