Counseling

Meet Our Elementary Resource Team

Mrs. Bonnie Harris/Elementary Guidance Paraprofessional.

Mrs. Harris visits grades K-3 and assorted upper grades for SEL learning skills. The 12 week Skills/Toolbox curriculum teaches grade appropriate social and emotional skills, including self-esteem, self-efficacy, and sociability. These lessons help to reinforce classroom and playground behavioral skills for student’s success. The lessons include emotion management and learning strategies for problem solving and conflict resolution. She is also available to work with small groups or individuals. She is on campus Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

BonnieHarris@iusd.org (949) 936-5584

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Mrs. Meleah Shank, M.S.W., M.A., P.P.S./Elementary Resource Counselor:

Mrs. Shank strives to create a safe and supportive environment for students to experience joy in their school day, as well as empower them to succeed alongside peers and adults. She has a passion to help and serve children and their families thrive both at home and school. Mrs. Shank facilitates individual and small group counseling sessions, utilizing solution-focused methods and an emphasis on social-emotional learning, with the goal of positive behavior change. She also participates in crisis assessment/ intervention, mental health consultation and is the school resource and link to community support services.  She has a background in teaching, counseling, and social work. Mrs. Shank is on campus on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

MeleahShank@iusd.org (949) 936-5674

What is social-emotional learning (sel)?

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, establish and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships and make responsible decisions. (Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning, CASEL)

Irvine Unified School District and  College Park Elementary School support the social-emotional development of your child.  We understand the foundation SEL provides for safe and positive learning, which enhances student’s ability to succeed in school, careers, and life.

 

second step program

The Elementary Guidance Assistant Program is designed to offer social-emotional learning to students during their school day using an evidence based social-emotional classroom curriculum called Second Step. Second Step is designed to teach children how to understand and manage their emotions, control their reactions, be aware of others’ feelings, and have the skills to problem solve and make responsible decisions. These lessons will increase students learning-readiness and help them to move ahead successfully in school. Guidance Assistants are trained para-professional staff and are assigned at each of IUSD’s K-6 school sites to teach Second Step in the classroom and provide small group workshops for children who would benefit from additional support. Students with parent permission may participate in “TOOLBOX” groups, the small group workshops, which are a series of once-a-week, 30-45 minute small group lessons during the school day. Groups usually last for 10-12 weeks.

School-based counseling program

The Elementary Resource Counseling program is designed to provide opportunities for students to participate in individual and small group counseling experiences that provide support and skill building for coping with family stressors, academic struggles, and personal issues.  It is not unusual for students to need focused help to strengthen their social- emotional skills in order to be more learning ready during different times in their childhood. Many children struggle from time to time with a range of family and life circumstances (divorce, loss, moves, stress) that make coming to school more difficult and we are here to offer tools and support.  Small group and individual counseling can be an excellent way for students to learn new skills, develop self- confidence, adjust behaviors, and learn to deal with challenges in healthy ways.

Services are provided during the school day, once a week for approximately 30 minutes.  These services are free of charge and voluntary. Every effort will be made to minimize the loss of important instructional time.  Please Note: Information shared by your child in counseling sessions will be kept confidential unless there is an indication that your child is in danger of hurting himself/herself or others, that someone may be hurting your child, or if there is intent to cause significant property damage.