Our school guidance counselors are an integral part of the Mantua Basic School Staff. They provide monthly classroom guidance lessons to all classes in the school. These lessons focus on many important skills needed for lifelong learning and cooperative relationships, such as, listening and paying attention, organization and study strategies, communication with others, resolving conflicts, making and keeping friendships, respecting differences among people, dealing with bullying behavior, problem-solving, decision-making, goal setting, and career awareness and exploration. The Core Virtues of the Basic School are integrated into these lessons. The purpose of the guidance lessons is to provide learning and training for all students, giving them the necessary tools to deal with the challenges of life.
During the course of the year, both individual and small group counseling is offered for students, focusing on the needs of the children, including: understanding feelings, anger management, impulse control, problem solving, social skills or friendship, conflict resolution, changing families, grief or loss, and study skills. Parents or teachers may refer a child for individual or group counseling. Written parental permission is required for all formal individual and group counseling. Students may request to see the counselors individually, or to participate in informal lunch groups with the counselors. Counselors are also available in the school to help deal with any crises that may occur.
Because Mantua has over 900 students, we are fortunate to have two full time counselors. Mrs. Teresa McConnel works with the students in Kindergarten through third grade. She is a supportive member of the Success by Eight program (K-2). Mrs. McConnel also coordinates the Sunrise Assisted Living Partnership, and the MentorWorks program at Mantua, and is the liaison to the Woodson Community Coalition. Ms. Allison Ayoub works with the students in
grades 4 through 6. Ms. Ayoub is responsible for the transition/registration of sixth grade students to middle school. She also trains the peer mediators and coordinates the "Students Take Action in Our Community" program, in which students are recognized for service in the community. Mrs. McConnel and Ms. Ayoub also serve on the Teacher Assistance Teams and the Child Study/Screening Committee.
The counselors, in conjunction with the PTA, provide parenting workshops during the year. They are very interested in your input into topics and formats for these workshops. In addition to this, check out the link below for some great parenting ideas and topics. You'll find daily tips for parents, an "idea of the day", a weekly parent quiz, an "ask the expert" section, articles on timely topics and more.
Our counselors are willing and available to discuss your concerns about your children. Please call Ms. Ayoub at (703) 645-6374 and Mrs. McConnel at (703) 645-6384.
Sunrise Assisted Living Partnership
As part of the Basic School at Mantua, we have an ongoing partnership with Sunrise Assisted Living Center in the Mantua community. Throughout the year, the counselor takes small groups of children to Sunrise for a visit with residents. The children will share about a topic they have been studying in class, and will help the Seniors with an arts & crafts activity. Then the students serve the residents and share refreshments with them. By preparing for and visiting with the seniors at Sunrise, students are given the opportunity to experience caring between generations, and to practice the "core virtues" of respect and compassion, which are an important part of our education.
MentorWorks
 |
Mantua participates in MentorWorks, which is a countywide program designed to connect students with an additional caring adult. The purpose is to encourage the development of a child's strengths and capabilities. The mentor participates in a training workshop at the school and, when ready, begins meeting with his or her student once a week (usually during lunch time) at Mantua. At this time, we have mentor volunteers who are parents, staff, or community members, who meet with students in the base school as well as in the Total Communication Center for deaf and hard of hearing. Their commitment has meant a great deal to these students, and is a positive experience for the mentors as well. We are always looking for new mentors; interested parents or business or community members may receive further information by calling Mrs.Teresa McConnel (Staff Coordinator) at Mantua, or Mrs. Pam Promisal (Parent Coordinator).
|
Woodson Community Coalition
The Woodson Community Coalition is a partnership that can include schools, religious organizations, businesses, professional communities, government agencies, civic organizations, citizens, parents, and youth. These groups work together to prevent violence and substance abuse among youth in the Woodson community. The mission is to create a safe environment through a network of communication that will enable them to involve and educate the community. For more information, please contact the coordinators: Msr. Jennifer Cooper and Mrs. Leanne Stynchula.
|
