Monthly Focus  //  September 2018

school anxiety what you can do to help

What is the role of the elementary school counselor?

The elementary school years set the foundation for developing the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary for children to become healthy, competent, and confident learners. Elementary school counselors have an impact on these years by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program and collaborating with school staff, parents, and the community to create a safe and respectful learning environment. By providing education, prevention, early identification, and intervention, elementary school counselors help their students achieve academic success, develop an understanding of career opportunities and develop social/emotional skills in response to issues they face.
- American School Counselor Association, 2017 -

School anxiety
​what you can do to help

Monthly Focus  //  September 2018

​"I don't want to go to school!" It's an age-old complaint from children. But a growing body of research suggests that this protest can signal a deeper problem: school anxiety. Recent studies show that anxiety disorders are one of the most common psychiatric conditions among kids, with as many as 10% suffering from them and requiring medical treatment. No studies have been conducted on how common school anxiety is, but some experts believe it's on the rise among younger kids, including preschoolers.
                                                                                                      -Kruger, P., Parents, 2003 

5 Top resources: Counseling

resources  //  2018-19 School year

​These resources are links to sites that can provide additional help and support for you and your child(ren). 

ABOUT ME

My name is Michele D'Avignon. Most of the students just call me Ms. D (it's a lot easier than D'Avignon). This is my second year working as a school counselor. I have the great honor of counseling at two fantastic elementary schools; Diamond Valley and Enterprise. The students at these schools display a wide variety of characteristics that keep me moving. Before getting my Master's Degree from Utah State University, I worked as classroom teacher at Lava Ridge Intermediate School for 10 years. I was privileged to work as a Special Education teacher, English as a Second Language (ESL) Coordinator, At-Risk teacher, Social Studies teacher, and Language Arts teacher over the course of my tenure. 
As a counselor, I will be working with your child to develop social/emotional skills to help them succeed at school. This process requires classroom lessons, small group sessions, and individual counseling. Working with students at the elementary level gives me the opportunity to instill important traits before they move to secondary school. 

Educational links​

    STAY UPDATED!