A Message from Julie Voegele, Locust Grove’s Counselor

      Over the past month, I’ve had the opportunity to connect with many of our Locust Grove families.  I’ve enjoyed meeting and speaking with each of you.  It’s been wonderful working with your children from the role of a school counselor.  If I have not had the opportunity to meet you, please know I am available to speak with you regarding any concerns you have for your child.  Remember that I am the only counselor in our building.  As always, I am available to speak with you over the phone or in person, although my first commitment is to our students during the school day.  If you leave a voicemail on extension #305, I’ll return your call as soon as I am able.  Scheduling appointments to speak with me ahead of time is also a good idea.  I’ve noticed parents dropping by during the day to visit, but since my schedule remains full, are unable to make contact.  Calling ahead of time will hopefully solve that problem. 

            So far this year, I’ve visited half of our classrooms to introduce myself to our new “lions.” It was a pleasure meeting with our intermediate classes, as well as half of our upper primary classes.  Over the next two weeks, I plan to visit the remainder of our classrooms (the second half of upper primary and the early primary grades).  Ask your child about the “energizer” we played and about the bingo game!  Early primary students will meet my puppet “friends” named Shelly, Fancy, Potter and I-Care.

It’s very important to me that all students know my name, what the counselor’s role is in a school building and a few ways I can help them this year.  It’s also very important to me that I learn each of our students’ names (with 660 kids, a quite daunting task!).  I’ve shared with the students that my main job is to help each student be successful in school.  Students are able to refer themselves to see me (with assistance from the classroom teacher).  I try my best to visit with the children wanting to see me as soon as my schedule allows.  It is not uncommon for me to visit with five or six individually each school day.  Most issues can be resolved easily, but I will contact parents when I am especially concerned about the issue at hand. 

            In October, I plan to meet with each grade level of teachers to discuss their needs through classroom guidance.  A schedule will be developed where I will visit each classroom and present topics to the students.  I have a framework of curriculum in mind to teach, but I value the opinions of our teachers and listen to what they think their students need (they know them best!).  More information is to come about this in the next newsletter.

If you are interested in your child participating in a counseling group this fall, please contact me at 222-3521.   This fall, groups will be offered on the topics of divorce and self-esteem.  Groups will be available for students of all ages.  Groups meet for one hour during the school day and run for seven weeks.