Waynewood Elementary School
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 Who are Waynewood's School Counselors?

Katy Sokolove is the full-time school counselor. She can be reached at 703-704-7124 or at Kathleen.Sokolove@fcps.edu.

 

 

Colieen Hooper, counselor, can be reached
at 703-704-7124 or at Colleen.Hooper@fcps.edu

As part of our commitment to the profession, we will occasionally counsel interns. These students are in the final year of their master''s program and have had previous counseling experience.
How can the Waynewood Elementary School Counseling and Guidance program support my child?

The Waynewood elementary school counseling and guidance program is a part of the total school program and complements learning in the classroom. It is child-centered, preventive, and developmental. Counselors work with children in many different ways including:

	Classroom Guidance Lessons occur once a month and last between 30-45 minutes. The Counselor teaches lessons on subjects such as: *Cooperation * Bullying * Study Skills * Resilience * Managing Feelings * Listening * Goal setting * Careers * Sportsmanship * Decision-Making *
	Small Group Counseling provides children with a small, safe, and fun setting to share with and learn from his or her peers. Children meet once a week during their lunch for 8-10 weeks. Parental permission is required. Topics covered in small groups include (but are not limited to): * Friendship/Social Skills * Changing Families * Self-Control * Decision-Making/Problem Solving * Study Skills * Organization * Grief * Middle School Transition * Moving * Managing Strong Feelings * Exceptional Learners *
	Individual Counseling provides children an opportunity to talk about personal concerns in a private one-on-one setting. When children would like to meet with the counselor, they are encouraged to fill out a form and give it to the counselor. The counselor will make every effort to respond to the slip in 24 hours. If a child or parent requests regular sessions, a permission slip with a parent's signature is required.
	Lunch Bunches are a way for the counselor and the child to get to know each other better. The child is usually able to invite 3-4 friends and they bring their lunches to the counselors' room and play a game of their choice. These groups are typically less a function of counseling than they are a function of nurturing friendships among peers.

Under what circumstances would my child see a counselor in a more private setting?
Counselors meet with children when:

• Parents request the counselor meet with their child.
• Students request a meeting.
• Administrators, teachers, or other school staff members refer the student.

If you child comes home and tells you they spoke with the counselor, don't be alarmed! Meeting with the school counselor is something many children enjoy and seek out. Children see us as a friendly, safe adult with whom they can share and talk. As you know, kids love being listened to and counselors are expert listeners!

The majority of situations dealt with by school counselors are normal, developmental issues like friendship concerns, managing strong feelings, resolving conflicts, etc. When a child might benefit from some extra support or attention, i.e., small group counseling or regular individual counseling, parental permission is a requirement. Be assured that when serious situations arrive, we will contact you.

What are the benefits of having a certified school counselor in elementary schools?
The professional school counselor is a certified/licensed educator trained in school counseling with unique qualifications and skills to address all students' academic, personal/social and career development needs. The elementary years are a time when students begin to develop their academic self-concept and their feelings of competence and confidence as learners. They are also developing and acquiring attitudes toward school, self, peers, social groups and family. Through a comprehensive developmental school counseling program, counselors work as a team with the school staff, parents, and the community to create a caring climate and atmosphere. By providing education, prevention, early identification and intervention, school counselors can help all children achieve academic success.

 
    In addition to the guidance and counseling program, Waynewood Counselors wear many hats. We:

☻                 Coordinate the Waynewood Character Education Program and chair the committee

☻                 Coordinate and manage the Student Council Association

☻                 Coordinate and manage the Peer Mediation Program

☻                 We sit in on local screening meetings

☻                 Plan parent educationprograms

☻                 Serve on other committees as appropriate
Resources

  American School Counselor Association: