Counseling Services

Counseling Mission Statement

The Counseling Program will work hand in hand with staff, parents and community to ensure that every student is actively engaged in counseling guidance lessons and services that will enrich their lives in the areas of personal/social, academic and college/career readiness. Be committed to the uniqueness of every student and give them the tools they need to be successful in all their journeys in life. Help create an environment that knows no limit to the academic success of each student.

Health & Wellness Team

The Health & Wellness team consists of

• the school counselor
• the principal
• the school nurse
• classroom teacher(s).

How it Works

Teachers make referrals to Health & Wellness throughout the year when they see a concern that could be but not limited to social/emotional, behavioral, medical/health related, attendance related, or a change in student's behavior or academic performance.

The parents/guardians will be invited to attend this meeting and a letter will be sent home either with the child or mailed.

Our goal with the Health & Wellness team is to discuss any concerns that we are seeing at school, your concerns both at home and school as well as come up with recommendations or referrals to best help your student(s) and their academic success. Please do not hesitate to contact me in regards to this team.

Counseling Guidance Program

The counseling guidance program at Sombra de Monte consists of direct and indirect components. I work directly with students through classroom guidance lessons, small groups, and individual counseling sessions.

Classroom Guidance Lessons

As your students' school counselor I follow the ASCA model and the national standards for school counseling. There are 3 major domains that the standards fall under; Academic, Personal/Social, and Career/College Readiness. We cover a variety of topics throughout the school year. I utilize a needs assessment to guide the program with which topics I focus on each year.

Small Group

Small groups are based on need (teacher referral & family referral) and are 2-6 students per group with similar concerns/academic need within the same age range (example: 1st & 2nd graders with the topic of: Self Regulation). Topics include but not limited to; families of divorce, life transitions, self-esteem, friendship, self-regulation, academic goal setting/organization, and general support.

Individual Counseling

I schedule individual sessions based on teacher and family referral. In the school environment, individual sessions are brief in nature, solution-focused and are set up as additional support for students for a short period of time (4-6 sessions). For more in-depth therapy or long term counseling outside resources are available.

A letter of intent goes home for small group and individual counseling sessions outlining my intent to see your student(s) individually or in a small group, as well as my limits and confidentially limits.

If you would like to talk with me about your student's needs please call or email me.

Bullying Behaviors

Our school counselor conducts bullying classes throughout the year. The APS website has information on bullying for parents, kids, and school staff. The APS school district will be following the New Mexico Department of Education statue. For more information please visit the PED(Public Education Department) Website. Every student at Sombra can complete a bully slip if they feel they are being bullied.

Difference between Acting Mean, Conflict and Bullying

• Acting mean or grumpy – is about how a person feels on a particular day, not an everyday thing. Usually, it is not targeted at one person and there isn’t an intention to hurt anyone. They may get hurt, but it is usually not the intention.
• Conflict - when one person has a disagreement with another person, over something they have done or said. (there is equal power/2 sided)
• Bullying - is unfair, one-sided. It happens when someone keeps hurting, frightening, threatening, or leaving someone out on purpose.

Conflict

• Equal power – friends
• Happens occasionally
• Accidental
• Not serious
• Equal emotional reaction
• Not seeking power or attention
• Not trying to get something
• Remorse-takes responsibility
• Effort to solve the problem

Bullying

• Imbalance of power – not friends
• Repeated negative actions
• Purposeful
• Serious –threat of physical, emotional or psychological harm/hurt
• Strong emotional reaction on part of the target
• Seeking power and control
• Trying to gain material things or power
• No remorse – blames others
• No effort to solve the problem

Bullying Forms

• Bullying reporting form for Parents (PDF)
• Bullying reporting form for Students (PDF)