What is the purpose of the Counseling Program at Ithica Elementary?

The goal of the Counseling Program at Ithica Elementary is to support the academic, social, and emotional development of all of our students. We believe that guiding students toward responsible social and emotional development helps them reach their highest potential in school and in life. The school counselor works hand-in-hand with parents and teachers to prepare students to become responsible, productive adults.

What does the school counselor do?

The school counselor can help students grow socially and emotionally by providing a listening ear and by teaching skills such as: understanding and managing feelings, solving problems, making friends, and more.

The school counselor works to help students in the follow ways:

• Classroom Guidance
• Small Group Counseling
• Individual Counseling
• Parent and Teacher Consultation

Individual Counseling
Confidential short-term counseling is available to all students. Parents, teachers, or students themselves may make referrals for counseling.

Group Counseling
Counseling groups are formed throughout the year based on student need. Groups typically include 4 to 8 students and meet weekly to focus on a specific topic. Parent permission is required in order for a student to participate in group counseling.

Classroom Guidance
Regular classroom guidance sessions are scheduled for all Kindergarten through 5th grade classes. Lessons focus on communication, conflict management and problem-solving skills.

Parent/Teacher Consultation
The counselor is available to work with parents and teachers to assist in planning strategies designed to promote the personal, social, emotional, or academic development of students.

www.kidshealth.org (Help on a wide variety of parenting topics.)

www.kids-in-mind.com and www.gradingthemovies.com (Help in evaluating movies, games and music.)

www.disciplinehelp.com (Suggestions for help with 117 behaviors.)

www.onetoughjob.org (Lots of good parenting information.)

www.aap.org (American Academy of Pediatrics website includes a wealth of child health and parenting information.)

Hi, I’m Eleanor Landman. I have been the school counselor at Ithica Elementary since August 2004, when we opened our doors for the first time. I have really enjoyed working with the students, teachers and parents of Ithica, to help make this school the wonderful place to learn that it is.

I love being a school counselor because it gives me the opportunity to work with many children and their families on important skills. I truly believe it is vital for the adults of the future to learn how to communicate and get along with each other and to solve difficult problems without violence. As I work with our students, I hope to be touching the future in a positive way.

I have been a school counselor since 1997 and have worked with both Elementary and Middle School Students in Georgia and North Carolina. When I am not at working at Ithica Elementary, I am busy spending time with my husband and two teenage daughters.

You may have heard your child speak about “Super Kelso.” Super Kelso (pictured with me above) is a very important member of Ithica’s Counseling Program. Beginning in Kindergarten, all students meet Super Kelso and learn the difference between small problems they can solve themselves and BIG problems that require adult help. They also learn and practice Kelso’s problem-solving method and choices.

(Kelso’s Choice is a conflict management curriculum available through Sunburst Visual Media.)

More Information About Super Kelso

Hi, I’m Super Kelso. Mrs. Landman and I help students at Ithica Elementary learn how to solve problems.

Conflict or disagreement is normal and often happens when children get together. However, hurtful words, gestures, or physical attack are not acceptable ways to deal with conflict or disagreement.

Our goal is to teach students at Ithica several positive ways to deal with conflict and disagreement. We begin by teaching children the difference between BIG problems, where someone is hurt or in danger and requires adult help right away, and SMALL problems that students are capable of learning to solve on their own. Next, we teach children several choices they can make to solve SMALL problems. These include:

• Go to another game or activity.
• Share and take turns.
• Respectfully talk it over and listen to each other.
• Walk away from the problem.
• Ignore the problem behavior.
• Tell the person to stop the problem behavior.
• Apologize.
• Make a deal or compromise.
• Wait and cool off.

Each classroom at Ithica has a poster with my choices displayed on it. Mrs. Landman visits each class to help children learn and practice solving problems.

Mentors Needed: Did you know that Carroll County has a Mentor Program for students? This program, which began in 1988, provides “wise and trusted friends” to help guide students' personal, academic, and professional development. The Carroll County Mentor Program provides training and sponsored activities for mentors and students. If you, or someone you know might be interested in becoming a mentor for an Ithica Elementary student, please contact:

Eleanor Landman, School Counselor at 678-840-5101 or Eleanor.Landman@carrollcountyschools.com