Counselors Help Students Learn
Each school in Loudoun County Public Schools has a School Counseling program. Licensed School Counselors are responsible for the organization and management of guidance programs in the schools. School Counselors work with students, parents, teachers, and administrators to help students succeed in school and prepare for meaningful, productive lives. The School Counseling program is child-centered and developmentally appropriate and encourages students’ academic, social/emotional, and career awareness.

School counseling services are inclusive and respectful of differences in gender, religion, ethnicity, race, ability, and age. 

What Do School Counselors Do?

• Counsel with students individually

• Lead small groups focused on a particular topic

• Teach classroom lessons addressing bullying prevention, careers, coping strategies, etc.

• Respond to student needs in crisis situations

• Orient new students

• Participate in the referral process of students to special programs and/or services

• Analyze test results to provide information about abilities, achievement, interests, and needs

• Coordinate efforts with other school specialists

• Conduct conferences with parents

• Facilitate parent discussion groups

• Adhere to ethical and legal standards

Reasons to Contact a School Counselor:

• Academic concerns

• Social/emotional concerns

• Your child is new to Ashburn Elementary

• Information on community resources

• Special needs of students

• Student crisis situations

• Change in your family situation

School Counselors work with students, parents, faculty, staff and community members in a variety of ways. Each service is aimed at helping children learn and develop to their highest potential. School counselors help children work through normal developmental issues and teach skills that will help students throughout life. Elementary school counseling services are available to ALL students. The various programs and services are summarized below. 

Classroom Guidance
Classroom guidance lessons are provided throughout the year to all grade levels. Class activities and discussions with students focus on a variety of topics such as understanding self and others, making friends, differences in tattling and reporting, dealing with bullying situations, cooperation, problem solving, decision making, conflict resolution, career awareness, and character education.

Small Group
Small group lessons will be offered throughout the year for students to discuss specific concerns they have in common with other students. Small groups typically meet during lunch or morning meeting time to be least disruptive academically. It is often comforting for a student to work with peers in a small group setting to discuss similar concerns or learn coping skills. These groups will cover topics such as changing family situations, self-esteem, anger management, friendship, study skills, and grief. Group members are primarily referred by teachers; however, parent permission is needed to participate. If you would like your child to participate in a group, please let us know. We would love the opportunity to work with your child. Groups will meet for approximately four to six weeks. Each weekly session is about thirty minutes long. The first small groups will begin in the fall. Other groups will be held throughout the year. 

Individual Counseling
We are also available to meet individually with students to discuss any concerns or worries. Typically, these issues are related to friendship, grief, changing family situations, resolving conflict, other social and emotional concerns. Students may be referred to the counselor by a parent, teacher or administrator. Students may also refer themselves. If you would like for your child to be seen individually, please contact us.

Additional Services
We are available for consultation with parents and/or teachers to discuss issues which might be impacting a student’s academic, emotional or social success and to plan strategies for successful learning.

Please remember that the counselors are here to help your child have the best school year possible and to help you and your child’s teacher make that happen.  We look forward to getting to know each of you and your children throughout the year.  Should you have any questions or concerns, please call 571-252-2350 or Email Mrs. Talboo or Email Ms. Whitsitt. 

As part of the counseling program at Ashburn Elementary we will be offering small support groups for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.  These groups are offered with the hope that students can get together to share concerns or issues they may have in common with each other.  The small group format also provides an opportunity for your child to reinforce skills that will support and enhance their academic and social development.

This year, participants for small groups will be selected primarily through teacher referrals.  Teachers will refer students for groups who need extra practice on developing academic and social skills here at school.  Once a student has been recommended for a small group, parental permission will be required for them to participate.  As a parent, if you feel your child would benefit from a particular small group and there was not a teacher referral, please call and speak with your child’s school counselor.

We offer a variety of small group formats dealing with issues that regularly occur in a school setting.  Small groups typically run between six and eight weeks and cover topics ranging from friendship skills, confidence building, study skills, anger management/conflict resolution, and making good decisions.  Additional topics will be developed if a particular need becomes evident.  It is our goal to remain open and flexible to the needs of our student population.

When a student has been referred to a particular group, a permission slip will be emailed through Permission Click. Information about the group (times, dates) will be included.  No child will be allowed to participate in a small group without the permission of a parent/guardian.

Parents, your referral is encouraged for your child to participate in our Changing Families group.  This group will cover topics including separation, divorce, remarriage, and blended families.  Changing Families will be developed on an as-needed basis.  

Please feel free to contact the school counselor for your student’s grade level with any questions or to chat about the small groups offered at Ashburn Elementary.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Respectfully,
Mrs. Talboo and Ms. Whitsitt