Vision Statement:

The elementary school counseling program works to support every student to succeed in their academic growth and social-emotional strength. We hope to collaborate with parents and teachers to build a positive school-wide community based on empathy, compassion, and respect that will also encourage students to always be ready to learn throughout their lives.

Mission Statement:

Our focus is to build a comprehensive, data-driven program to support every student by working with our community and school. We will work with kids in whole-class settings, small groups, and individual counseling sessions. We work to support their academic and social-emotional success by discussing a variety of topics to help them increase their emotional intelligence and build skills that will bring long-term success. In collaborating and advocating for students with teachers and parents, we can address the needs for each student to increase their personal skills, and create an equitable environment where all students feel safe, valued, and successful.

The Role of the School Counselor: 

• Promote a safe, trauma informed environment for all students and staff

• Support students in identifying and achieving their personal, social, and academic goals

• Mediate conflicts among students to find safe and healthy resolutions

• Offer short-term, solution-focused individual and group counseling

• Collaborate with parents, teachers, and students to increase student success

• Provide support during a crisis situation

• Identify school wide and individual students needs

• Observe students in various settings

• Connect students and families to a variety of community resources

Confidentiality

Counseling is most effective when built on a trusting relationship, making confidentiality of the utmost importance. Information discussed during counseling is confidential, with the following exceptions: 

1. The student presents information about hurting himself/herself or another person

2. Evidence or disclosure of abuse (emotional, physical, sexual) or neglect

3. Threats to school security

4. If counseling records are court ordered   

5. If the child provides permission for information to be discussed with the child’s parent/guardian, teacher, and/or administrators in order to better help the child as a team. 

Referrals

If parents are interested in the school counseling services provided, please contact me directly by phone at 208-436-9707, ext. 409 or by e-mail at  cwhite@minidokaschools.org

In the event that a situation arises that is beyond the scope of school counseling, a referral to outside services will be made.