2022-2023
Oak Grove Primary
Counseling Program
Dear Parents,
Welcome back to a brand new school year! I would like to take this time to introduce myself and let you know about the counseling services available at Oak Grove Primary. This will be the beginning of my fifteenth year at Oak Grove Primary. I have counseled children for 32 years and look forward to another fun-filled year of working with children at Oak Grove Primary.
Counseling services consist of classroom guidance, support groups, and individual sessions. I visit each classroom twice a month covering such topics as the I-Care rules, bullying, body safety, careers, skills for academic success, friendship, mindfulness, growth mindset, and character education. Each lesson lasts for approximately 30 minutes. I use a variety of techniques such as games, songs, puppets, art, and stories to help children grasp concepts.
Groups and individual sessions are provided for students with parent permission (see informed consent attached to this letter). Groups last from 30-45 minutes and meet once a week for about 8 weeks. See the complete list of topics on the attached form.
Individual sessions also occur once a week for 30 minutes. I use play therapy which is an appropriate technique for this age group as it allows children to use toys in a playroom to work through feelings and learn self-management much like an adult uses talking with a counselor to work through concerns. Please visit my website for more detailed information on play therapy.
Groups and individual sessions are all voluntary and offered to all students. These services are provided for your child so he/she can have the opportunity to address concerns so they do not get in the way of learning. If you would like counseling for your child this year, please complete the attached form (front and back). Even if you do not have concerns at this time, you are welcome to complete the consent in anticipation of future issues. I will always call you if I start any group or long-term individual counseling (more than a few visits) with your child. All counseling is confidential except if it is in the child’s best interest for me to disclose to the proper authorities, such as in the case of abuse, neglect, or endangerment. I am happy to discuss general impressions as I work with your child so you may best help him/her at home.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to work with your child. I look forward to seeing you all soon. Feel free to call me any time you have a concern about your child’s well-being. I will do my best to help you and your child.
Sincerely,
Shari Howard
Counseling Group Information
In order to ensure the proper placement of students in counseling groups, it would be helpful if you would complete the following and sign the consent on the back if you would like your child to participate in a group this year. I will call you before group starts to confirm your agreement and confidentially discuss the concerns in more detail. If you do not have any concerns at this time, you are welcome to disregard this side of the form and sign the consent on the back if you would like to have this on file just in case an issue should arise later in the year. Thank you for your cooperation.
Please check the top three group choices for your child and number in order of priority. For example, if listening/focus is your main concern, put a 1 after that choice. This helps me to plan groups and get students in who are the highest need. Please call if you have immediate concerns and I will do my best to get your child seen sooner:
□ Social Skills/Friendship/Conflict Management
□ Anger Control
□ Anxiety/Worries/Fears
□ Coping with Divorce/Family Change
□ Coping with a Death in the Family
□ Coping with a Deployed Parent in the Military
□ Coping with a Parent in Jail
□ Coping with ADHD/Improving Listening Skills
□ Coping with a Chemically Dependent Parent (drugs and/or alcohol)
□ Feelings (Healthy and Appropriate Expression)
□ Self-Awareness/Self-Esteem
□ Self-Control/Behavior Management/Making Good Decisions
□ Other _______________________________________________________
Informed Consent for School Counseling
I would like for my child to participate in individual and/or group counseling at Oak Grove Primary with Mrs. Howard, the counselor. Individual counseling provides students with the opportunity to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviors in a private, one-on-one setting with a trusted adult (counselor). Group counseling gives students the experience of working with two or more students under the guidance of the counselor in order to address feelings, thoughts, behaviors, and/or to learn specific skills. The purpose of both individual and group counseling is to work on academic, personal, social, and emotional issues so students will be prepared to focus on school achievement.
Counseling is voluntary and without a guarantee. You or your child may stop counseling at any time without any negative consequences. At times, sensitive or difficult topics are addressed which may bring about emotional discomfort. However, dealing with these issues can lead to better understanding and acceptance of self and others.
Confidentiality will be guarded within legal and ethical limits of the counseling profession. Sometimes other counseling professionals may need to be consulted but the student’s identity will be protected. If your child shares that he or she is being harmed, may be harmed, plans harm to himself/herself, another person or property, the counselor will share the information with parents or other appropriate persons. In group counseling, the counselor will make every effort to ensure confidentiality but cannot guarantee group member compliance.
I have read and discussed the above statements with my child. We both understand the conditions in which my child will be participating in counseling with Mrs. Howard at Oak Grove Primary School.