Meet Your Counselor
What is your school counselor's name?
Ms. Olson
Describe where your counselor is located
Upstairs, next to Ms. Mary's room, near the 4th/5th grade hallway :)
Name one thing that a school counselor helps students with at school
Feelings, making expected choices, goal setting, how to do well in school, how to help students with anxiety and stress, college and career readiness, coping strategies.
Name different ways you might work with Ms. Olson at GCS.
Whole class lessons, small groups, individual counseling...and then you might spend time with me at a recess duty!
Who can you talk to if the school counselor isn't here?
Any of your teachers.
Name something your counselor enjoys outside of counseling? (hobbies)
Spending time with family, gardening, walking my dogs, soccer, singing, drawing, swimming.
True/False: You are in trouble if you have to see the school counselor
No! I am here to help you, to talk to you, and to get to know you. If you have done something to get into trouble, you will talk to someone else about that.
Does the school counselor help me with friend problems?
Yes! We can talk about what is troubling you and strategies that might help you out.
True of False - School Counselors need to go to college but also have a special degree called a Master's Degree to be able to work in a school and do what Ms. Olson does.
True! I actually went to 20 years of school
Name one thing your school counselor cannot keep confidential?
If someone is hurting you, you are going to hurt someone else, or you are hurting yourself.
What did Ms. Olson teach before becoming a counselor?
5th and 6th grade
What does confidentiality mean?
This means that what you say in the counselor's office is private and not shared with others.
What types of topics will the counselor cover during lessons?
How to do your best in school, how to make good choices, how to make and keep friends, conflict resolution, problem solving, bullying, reducing stress, test preparation, coping skills, college/careers, growth mindset
What is the name of the other school counselor who is Ms. Olson's bestie?
Ms. Hayden
True or False: Can the School Counselor fix your problems?
False- The School Counselor can help you think about different ways to solve or cope with your problems. YOU are the only one that can choose to work on a problem.
Where did Ms. Olson go to college or graduate school?
Rollins College or University of New Hampshire
Will your school counselor ALWAYS keep things confidential?
No. If you or someone else is getting hurt, your counselor will need to tell someone to get help.
True/False- My counselor tells me exactly what to do when I have a problem
False - Your counselor will help you become a problem solver, or you will solve the problem together!
Finish the sentence: My school counselor wants me to....
Succeed, be kind, be respectful, try my best, be positive, be the BEST you!
School Counselors are the only people you should talk to about your problems?
False - If you are having a problem, you should talk to an adult who will listen. That might be a parent, neighbor, teacher, coach etc.
How many years has Ms. Olson worked with kids?
This is my 20th year!
How do you request/ask to see the counselor?
There will be slips of paper outside of my office that you can take to fill out and give to me/put in the black mailbox outside my door. You can also let your teacher know that you would like to visit the school counselor. Your teacher will either call or email to let me know. You can email me yourself as well. Lots of students do!
Do counselors talk to teachers and parents about how to help students?
YES! However, I will never share something confidential that you tell me as long as it doesn't involve hurting yourself of someone else.
True/False: My school counselor expects me to be perfect
False: Your school counselor loves mistakes because they are perfect learning opportunities!
Name 1 one way to be a good friend
Be kind, say nice words, include others, be helpful, be a good listener, etc.