The school counselor's typical day is spent counseling students individually or in small groups, while also delivering our core curriculum to all students through whole-class lessons. The counselor also consults with teachers, parents and community agency personnel and teaches classroom guidance lessons. Students may visit the counselor by self-referral, teacher referral, or parent referral. Students may not begin multiple sessions of individual or small group counseling without parental permission. Parents/guardians may simply send a note/email or call the school counselor to request assistance for their child.

Classroom guidance lessons are intended to help students foster academic, personal/social and career development. Classroom guidance lessons focus on areas such as interpersonal skills, problem-solving and decision-making skills. Additionally, emphasis is placed on career awareness, study skills, conflict resolution, and coping skills/wellness. Lessons are conducted every other week for 25 minutes in Grades K-1; and for 50 minutes in Grades 2-5.

School success requires that students make successful transitions and acquire the attitudes, skills, and knowledge that are essential to the competitive workplace of the 21st century.

The goal of the school guidance and counseling programs is to facilitate student development in the following three standards:

• Academic Development 

• Career Development

• Personal/Social Development

Academic Development Standards

1. The students will acquire the attitudes, knowledge, and skills that contribute to effective learning in school and across the life span.

2. The student will understand the relationship of academics to the world of work and to life at home and in the community.

Academic Development Indicators

Students will:

1. become oriented to the educational environment;

2. recognize problems with learning and develop coping skills;

3. identify and express positive feelings and behaviors needed for successful learning;

4. demonstrate how effort and persistence effect learning;

5. apply study skills necessary for academic success at each grade level; and

6. prepare for successful transition to middle school.

Career Development Standards

1. The student will acquire the skills to investigate the world of work in relation to options and personal interests.

2. The student will understand the relationship between personal qualities, education, training, and the world of work.

Career Development Indicators

Students will:

1. identify their job as a student;

2. identify personal abilities, skills, interests, and motivation;

3. explore traditional and nontraditional occupations;

4. interact and work as a member of a team;

5. develop awareness of the importance of personal responsibility, good work habits, and effort; and

6. identify that the changing work place requires lifelong learning and continuous acquisition of new skills.

Personal/Social Development Standards

1. The student will acquire knowledge, attitudes, and interpersonal skills to help in understanding and respecting self and others.

2. The student will make decisions, set goals, and take necessary action to achieve goals.

3. The student will understand safety and life skills.

Personal and Social Development Indicators

Students will: 

1. develop positive attitudes toward school, learning, community, and society;

2. recognize and demonstrate character education traits;

3. recognize personal boundaries, rights, and privacy needs of self and others;

4. acquire and practice problem-solving, decision-making, and coping skills;

5. become self-directive and responsible for one’s own behavior;

6. demonstrate cooperative behaviors in groups and use strategies for getting along with others;

7. recognize and respect self, individual differences, and ethnic and cultural diversity; and

8. identify and express feelings in an appropriate manner.

Leesburg Elementary School’s Unified Mental Health Team (UMHT) – comprised of school counselors, psychologist, and social worker – offers mental health services and supports to enhance student social, emotional, and behavioral growth. This team of school-based mental health professionals works with students, families, school staff, and outside providers to promote a positive school environment that supports student success and ability to cope with challenges through direct (e.g., classroom curriculum, group counseling and individual counseling) and indirect (e.g., collaborating or consulting with staff, families or communities) methods. 

Click the names/links below to contact team members.  
(571) 252-2860

ParentGuidance.org

ParentGuidance.org is an online service by licensed therapists that provides trusted and specialized courses, professional support and a safe community for parents to learn how to support their children and get answers to mental health questions.