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School Counselor Office

 
Greetings From School Counseling,
 
Welcome to Jacques! My name is Sue Brown and I am the School Counselor. I am here to work with students to help them grow academically, personally, socially. My goal is to help our young friends at Jacques develop the skills necessary to help them focus on the important work they’re here to do. At the elementary level, the School Counselor is available to help children whether they are having a problem with a friend, learning how to make new friends, learning how to deal with feelings or tough situations, or they are confused about changes going on at home in addition to a myriad of other concerns. I am here to make sure the student and I come up with the best solution to fix and/or deal with the problem. I can be reached at [email protected] or at 603-673-4434, ext. 4006.
 
Ways that I can help?
As a Support for Teachers:
  • As a Unified Arts teacher, I provide SEL (social emotional learning) in all classrooms that focus on and reinforce character traits that enable children to make positive choices in school and in life.
  • Consult with other staff for special services/needs.
  • Listen and consult about social/emotional concerns and developmental issues.

As a Resource for Parents:
  • Interpreting the school experience for a better understanding about what a student at Jacques experiences.
  • Listening to concerns and helping to work toward mutual solutions to problems.
  • 504 Coordinator for students with diagnoses that need support to access curriculum.

As an Advocate for Students:
  • Providing groups for development of social skills and relationships. Providing one-on-one counseling to better able students to fully participate in their classrooms.
  • Participate in SST (student support teams) for the needs of the student.
  • Providing crisis intervention for unforeseen circumstances that may arise.
  • Providing a safe place to go and be when the day seems overwhelming.

Other ways I can help:

Throughout the year, I run various groups for students depending on the needs of the students. Teachers refer students and parents discuss concerns with me to determine what types of groups I may run. The following groups are just some of the groups that I may invite a student to be a part of.

Changing Family Group: This group is a support group for students who have experienced a family change such as:

  • Divorce
  • Separation
  • living with grandparents, uncles, aunts

This group is a great opportunity for students to share their experiences with others, explore feelings, and be supported by their peers.
 
Friendship Group: Social Skills are an important part of a child’s development. Many children at the elementary level have a hard time making and keeping friends. Children with strong social skills experience fewer adjustment problems as students and adults. This group is a good opportunity for students to learn about:
 
  • Cooperation
  • Communication
  • Self Control
  • Manners
  • Respect
  • Friend making skills

These strategies are addressed through fun learning activities like board games, role plays, books, and other creative activities.
 
 

LUNCH BUNCH: This is a fun opportunity for me to have lunch with students in my office and get to know students in small informal groups. Lunch bunches are for 1st graders and run throughout the year at various times. I try to see students in a group of 4. These lunch bunches are a more informal way for students to work on things like making friends, learning manners, keeping their body still, and being respectful. Students love them!

Jacques Memorial School Character Education: 
 
Jacques works with students on a daily basis to help educate children learn to be good citizens.

There are teachable moments throughout the day where staff has these opportunities:
 
  • Lunch Room
  • Recess
  • Classroom
  • Individual Time
 
The idea behind these teachings is to be kind, safe and responsible. As the School counselor, I teach Character Education and conflict resolution to instill these values. I visit each kindergarten and first grade class on a weekly basis to talk with students about various Character Education traits and Conflict Management skills. My program is called Building Blocks. This year our school  will be using Kelso The Frog, a conflict resolution program for first graders and A Little Spot of Emotions in Kindergarten for our Social Emotional Curriculums.