Guidance

As school counselors, we have the privilege to work with every single student in the school. We work with students at the classroom level, small group level, as well as at the individual counseling level. We also meet with parents, collaborate with teachers and staff, and consult with community organizations to benefit and meet the needs of all CMS students. We are excited to be here and we look forward to getting to know you and your child!

What Do Elementary School Counselors Do?

Classroom Guidance Lessons

Your School Counselor provides education to ALL students in the classroom setting. This provides consistent learning and skill development. It also allows us to observe and evaluate classroom and student needs. Lessons cover a variety of developmentally appropriate topics including: emotions, coping skills, communication skills, friendships, conflict resolution, teamwork, diversity, tolerance, problem-solving, self-esteem, respect, responsibility, personal safety, healthy choices, strengths, career interests, and community building.

Group Counseling

Group counseling is provided for small groups of students experiencing similar concerns. These may include making and keeping friends, anger management, coping with separation/divorce and or loss, getting organized/study skills and/or improving self-esteem. The groups generally range from 4 to 6 students and last for 4 to 6 sessions. The students for these groups can be recommended by parents/guardians or by staff members.

Individual Counseling

Consultations

We are available to have meetings with teachers, administrators and/or parents to discuss the needs of individual students. We are here for all students and want to ensure that your child has a productive and positive school year. If we can support your child in anyway, please don't hesitate to contact one of us. Any student can request to meet with us or they can be referred by a teacher, administrator, or parent. We encourage you to reach out if you have concerns regarding your child.

CMS SCHOOL COUNSELORS
Bill Blender
william.blender@motsd.org
973-691-4002

Olivia Mayberry
olivia.mayberry@motsd.org
973-691-4002

Heather Hoffman
heather.hoffman@motsd.org
973-691-4002

In addition to counseling services, students can engage in several different programs throughout the year. Including but not limited to the following:

Start With Hello
Lunch Bunch
Week of Respect
Kindness Ambassadors - 5th grade
Safety Patrol - 5th grade
Good Character Awards
The Great Kindness Challenge

Resources

Tri-County Behavioral Health Counseling

Internet Safety

As the students become more technologically advanced, many different issues arise. After school, many students use the Internet as a tool to chat with friends and research information. Please discuss Internet safety with your child to greatly minimize any potential risks. Included below are various web sites that you may want to refer to when discussing this topic.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have about Internet safety, your child, your child's school experience.

WEB-SITES ABOUT INTERNET SAFETY

http://www.safekids.com/

http://disney.go.com/corporate/legal/safety_tips.html

http://www.ou.edu/content/police/inetmenu.html

Online Safety Guidelines for Parents

Parents of Teens: Check out SafeTeens.Com

By taking responsibility for your children's online computer use, parents can greatly minimize any potential risks of being online. Make it a family rule to:

Never give out identifying information-- home address, school name, or telephone number-- in a public message such as chat or bulletin boards, and be sure you"re dealing with someone that both you and your child know and trust before giving it out via E-mail. Think carefully before revealing any personal information such as age, marital status, or financial information. Consider using a pseudonym or unlisting your child"s name if your service allows it.
Get to know the services your child uses. If you don"t know how to log on, get your child to show you. Find out what types of information it offers and whether there are ways for parents to block out objectionable material.
Never allow a child to arrange a face-to-face meeting with another computer user without parental permission. If a meeting is arranged, make the first one in a public spot, and be sure to accompany your child.
Never respond to messages or bulletin board items that are suggestive, obscene, belligerent, threatening, or make you feel uncomfortable. Encourage your children to tell you if they encounters such messages. If you or your child receives a message that is harassing, of a sexual nature, or threatening, forward a copy of the message to your service provider and ask for their assistance.
If a meeting is arranged, make the first one in a public spot.
Should you become aware of the transmission, use, or viewing of child pornography while online, immediately report this to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by calling 1-800-843-5678. You should also notify your online service.
Remember that people online may not be who they seem. Because you can"t see or even hear the person it would be easy for someone to misrepresent him- or herself. Thus, someone indicating that "she" is a "12-year-old girl" could in reality be a 40-year-old man.
Remember that everything you read online may not be true. Any offer that"s "too good to be true" probably is. Be very careful about any offers that involve your coming to a meeting or having someone visit your house.
Set reasonable rules and guidelines for computer use by your children (see "Kids Rules for Online Safety"). Discuss these rules and post them near the computer as a reminder. Remember to monitor their compliance with these rules, especially when it comes to the amount of time your children spend on the computer. A child or teenager"s excessive use of online services or bulletin boards, especially late at night, may be a clue that there is a potential problem. Remember that personal computers and online services should not be used as electronic babysitters.
Be sure to make this a family activity. Consider keeping the computer in a family room rather than the child"s bedroom. Get to know their "online friends" just as you get to know all of their other friends.

How Parents Can Support Self-Esteem

Make time to communicate to your child the importance of education.

"How did school go today? What did you learn?"

Work with your child to help him or her develop a positive attitude towards schoolwork.

Practice patience and tolerance.

"You seem discouraged. Let's go over your mistakes together so that you'll be able to avoid them next time."

Provide encouragement to your child whenever possible.

Positive, constructive criticism is the way to go.

"Great! This report has many good ideas. Lets see if we can work on arranging your thoughts a little better."

Emphasize what your child does right.

"Until now you've been doing great. Let's see if we can get you back on track. "

Continue to expect an increase in accomplishment.

"It looks like a tough project, but with all that you have accomplished so far, I know you can do it!"

Be a good listener and pay attention to your responding tone of voice.

Be available to discuss problems your child is having, whether they are large or small.

Compare your child's progress to his/her own record.

"Let's not worry about your friends test grade. It's you and your achievement that I care about."

Avoid labeling!

"Edward never takes the time to read the directions and always gets it wrong!"

Support self-expression and creativity.

Set up your child's time schedule to include a balance of work, play, and study.

Involve children in real chores & helping tasks to give them a sense of accomplishment.

Take part in your child's education- be active in his or her school.

Show your love and affection for your child – Every Day!

Parent Resource Directory

Information and Referral

Child and Family Resources 973-927-6060
First Call For Help 2-1-1
Mental Health Association of Morris County 973-334-3496
Morris County Prevention is the Key 973-625-1998
NJ Self-Help Group Clearing House 800-367-6274
NJ State Office on Disability Services 888-285-3036
Statewide Parent Advocacy Network, Inc., 800-654-7726

Crisis Intervention

Chilton Memorial Hospital Psychiatric Emergency Service 973-831-5078
Morristown Memorial Hospital Psychiatric Emergency service 973-540-0100
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-TALK
Saint Clare's Hospital Psychiatric Emergency Service 973-625-0280
Sexual Assault Hotline 973-829-0587

Families and Youth at Risk

Caring Partners 973-770-5505
Child Abuse Hotline 877-NJABUSE
Crisis Mobile Response Stabilization Service 877-652-7624
Family Intervention Services 973-586-5243
Parents Anonymous 800-843-5437
Traumatic Loss Coalition 973-839-2521 x 228

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