Guidance

Highview Elementary School

                                                        Melissa Lipson, School Counselor                                                                              

We are a RULER Spotlight School

   

  

  

       

RULER:
RULER is an evidence-based approach to social and emotional learning (SEL) developed at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, where Marc Brackett is the founding Director. RULER supports entire school communities in understanding the value of emotions, building the skills of emotional intelligence, and creating and maintaining a positive school climate. RULER aims to infuse the principles of emotional intelligence into the immune system of schools, enhancing how students learn, teachers teach, families parent, and leaders lead. 

 

  • RULER applies “hard science” to the teaching of what have historically been called “soft skills.” RULER teaches the skills of emotional intelligence — those associated with: 

 

    •  R ecognizing emotions in self and others
    •  U nderstanding the causes and consequences of emotions
    •  L abeling emotions accurately
    •  E xpressing emotions appropriately
    •  R egulating emotion effectively

RULER Resources For Families:

Guidance and Counseling Program

The goal of the school counselor is to support the healthy growth and development of the whole child (social, emotional and academic) in his/her world of school, home and community.  This process of growth is encouraged through monthly school wide lessons, small group counseling, individual counseling, consultation with parents and teachers and coordination of services.

  • School-Wide Character Education Programs:  The Counselor and the Social Emotional Learning Committee coordinate the following school-wide character education initiatives for the year.
  • Bucket-Filling  is a concept we use at Highview created by the author Carol McCloud of her best -selling book, “ Have You Filled A Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids.”  Students and staff are encouraged to fill others (invisible) buckets by being respectful, kind and caring.  In return, a bucket-filler receives the good feelings associated with doing the right thing. Students also learn when to put their lid on no one can take away their good feelings about themselves.       

  • Kelso’s Choice: Our Conflict-Management Program that teaches students how to solve small problems peacefully using the strategies on Kelso’s Wheel, differentiate between small and big problems and knowing when to ask for help.

 Kelso's Choice 

  • School-Wide Social Emotional Learning Lessons:  Planned, educational lessons designed to help students understand and deal with normal developmental issues.  Topics include character education, developing a growth mindset, power of “yet”, self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision making, relationship skills & social awareness. These lessons are provided for all students through monthly assembly programs provided by the counselor as well as collaboration of all teachers and staff.
  • Word of the Month: Each month a different character trait is displayed and practiced.
  • “Mindfulness” in the Classroom: By incorporating “Mindful Listening” and “Mindful Movement” exercises, we will bring increased self-awareness, self-regulation and focus to improve learning and social emotional growth.

Services:

Groups: Students will be invited to attend on needs based criteria and teacher referrals.  These short term small group sessions with the counselor allow the opportunity for students to learn and talk with each other in a safe and fun environment.  Possible group topics may include:

  • Regulating emotions, thoughts & behaviors
  • Managing stress, controlling impulses
  • Motivation
  • Establishing/maintaining healthy relationships
  • Responsible Decision-Making

*These groups are formed based on student needs. This format uses an educational model that is goal-centered and oriented toward enhancing and developing coping skills.  Some common types of counseling groups deal with excessive worries, divorce/separation, friendship, self-esteem, anger and grief or loss.  These groups are confidential in nature.

  • “Welcoming New Students”: Groups which allow students to socialize with one another and the counselor without the structure and parameters of a formal counseling group.
  • Classroom Guidance Sessions-  Reinforce Social Emotional Learning Tools/Strategies and Community Building Activities
  • Individual Counseling: Students who attend short term school counseling will discuss academic, personal or social issues that may be impacting their performance in or out of the classroom one-on-on with the school counselor.  We will work together to resolve problems, enhance decision-making skills, and/or build coping skills.  We will formulate a plan for success.  Positive support plans for school/and or home may be implemented. This is a confidential relationship and is a short-term limited intervention (not intensive therapy).
  • Referral to outside agencies: The counselor maintains a comprehensive list of specialists who may be helpful in the event of a concern beyond the scope of school counseling services.
  • Consultation with teachers, parents, and specialists 

Resources

Virtual Interactive Calming Corner

Motivation Strategies for At Home Learning:


Mrs. Lipson introduces the "New and Updated" Digital Version of the Kelso's Choice Conflict Management Program

Mental Health Resources:

Mindfulness Links: