School Counseling Programs

School Counseling Mission Statement: The mission of the School Counseling Program at Mars Estates Elementary School (MEES) is to facilitate a comprehensive and developmental counseling program that promotes school success, positive decision-making, career awareness and competencies for understanding self and others.  The school counseling program is aligned with National Standards identified in the American School Counselor Association’s National Model as well as the specific population at MEES in order to prepare students to become critical thinkers, effective communicators, collaborative learners and creative, caring citizens.

School Counseling Vision Statement: School counselors are committed to creating, sustaining, and investing in a culture of deliberate excellence for every student. MEES school counselors support students, teachers, and other stakeholders regarding the academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs of students to remove barriers to equitable student success and create safe learning environments.  Through these initiatives, our students will be prepared and empowered to reach their maximum potential as respectful, responsible and productive citizens and leaders.

 

How can the school counselor help you and your child?


School counselors have a variety of roles in the school building.  Our goal is to help students become emotionally, behaviorally, and socially prepared for success in the classroom by working closely with parents, teachers, administrators, and students.


School Counseling Services: School Counselors deliver services to students through guidance lessons, group counseling, individual counseling, and consultation.

Guidance Lessons
School counselors teach a variety of classroom lessons throughout the school year.  These lessons come from the BCPS School Counseling Curriculum and focus on topics such as friendships, conflict resolution, bullying, emotion management, character education, personal safety, worry, study skills, and career awareness. 

Group Counseling
Small counseling groups are held throughout the school year.  The groups focus on topics such as changing families, grief and loss, anger management, developing friendships and self-confidence and study skills.   Groups are formed based on the need of the students in each grade. Parents will be contacted if their child has been selected to be in a group counseling experience.  

Individual Counseling
Individual counseling services are available to students experiencing life problems. Students can be referred for counseling via teacher, parent, or administrator request.  In addition, students can also request a meeting to discuss any number of social, emotional, and/or behavioral concerns.  Issues that cannot be resolved with several sessions may result in a referral to an outside counselor, or to Baylife or Thrive Counseling Services, who provide counseling sessions during the school day.

Consultation
​On a daily basis the school counselor consults with teachers, parents, administrators, and/or outside community agencies so we can work together to allow all students to be academically and socially successful.   Parents are welcome to contact his/her child’s counselor for guidance when issues arise.