Hello! My name is Mrs. Nicole Sheffield, and I am the school counselor at
Woodruff Primary School. As the school counselor, I like to talk to boys
and girls about their problems. You can visit me yourself, with friends,
and with your class. There are lots of things to do in the counselor’s
room!
…You can talk about things that are important to you.
…You can play games that help you learn about yourself.
…You can just sit and think if you want to.
What is Classroom Guidance?
I visit each classroom, preschool - second grade, at least 4 times throughout
the school year.
Kindergarteners learn about I-Care-Rules from I-Care-Cat.
I-Care-Rules:
1. We listen to each other.
2. Hands are for helping, not hurting.
3. We use I-Care-Language.
4. We care about each other’s feelings.
5. We are responsible for what we say and do.
First graders focus on BUG feelings and how to get rid of them in an OK
way. Bug feelings are mad, sad, worried, nervous and scared.
Second graders talk about friendships and how to get along with their
classmates.
Talking with the School Counselor
I also like to talk with your parents and your teachers about how you get
along with others, how you get along with your school work, and about you as
a special person.
Everyone is invited to visit the guidance room any time you have a
concern. Just put a note in my box outside my door. Parents can send a
note to their child’s teacher, email me, or call 476.3174 and leave a voice
mail.
What is Small Group Counseling?
Small group counseling can be instructional (example: learning to study
effectively) or supportive (example: dealing with the loss of a loved one).
They also allow students a chance to belong, a chance to express themselves,
and a chance to benefit from the support of group members. Students can
only participate if they wish to and with parent consent. Some possible
small groups for this school year are…friendship, anger management, grief
and loss, school success skills, and self-concept. The rules of
confidentiality apply to small groups and individual counseling. (When a
student comes to see me, what we discuss is kept confidential unless she/he
is being hurt.)
What is Individual Counseling?
I work with students individually for a number of problems a student might
present, such as friendship issues, difficulty in the classroom, on the
playground, or on the bus, conflict resolution, new student orientation,
difficulty coming to school, anger management, to name a few. Referrals for
students to meet with a school counselor can be made by classroom teachers
or other school staff (i.e., school nurse or principal), by parents, or
through student self-referrals (yes, even at the primary level!).
The primary focus of school counseling and guidance programs at the
elementary level is prevention. My goal is to help students develop more
positive interpersonal and intrapersonal skills... assisting them in
becoming happier, more effective individuals and learners. My school
counseling and guidance program is for every student at WPS; therefore, my
services are designed to reach every student through developmental,
preventative education, and responsive services.