Counseling

Upper Primary Counseling

The goal of counseling is to enhance a student’s personal, social and educational development. Counseling support seeks to enable the development of skills necessary for healthy living. In seeking to educate the “whole child”, counselors encourage self-awareness and an understanding of personal strengths. HKIS UP counselors engage students in discussions about responsibility, accountability to self, others and the environment. They directly teach effective communication and social skills.

The school counselors provide the following services:

Classroom Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

A developmental education program is taught by the counselors to all classes. This is a proactive approach to helping children grow in the areas of understanding self and others, self-esteem, problem solving, decision making skills and communication. (45 minutes, two times a month. Weekly, the first semester of 3rd grade).

Here is a list of classroom lesson topics:
Friendship Problem Solving    Teasing and Bullying
Respect and Tolerance   Listening Skills Assertiveness
Anger Management Relational Aggression Self-esteem
Conflict Resolution Multiple Intelligences      Navigating Transitions
Peer Pressure Love Languages    Social/Environmental Responsibility

Individual Counseling

Small Groups

Groups are formed throughout the school year to work through various topics. The purpose of group work is to encourage each individual to seek a better understanding of themselves and others. Areas of focus may include: awareness of feelings, group sharing and responsibility, assertiveness skills, families in transition (divorce/separation), communication skills, making friends, leadership, tolerance, teasing and relational aggression. Books, games, video clips, role-plays, artwork and discussions are used as methods of discovery and instruction.

Transition Groups

All students who are new to or leaving HKIS are invited to join transition groups. During group sessions, we process the separation from previous friends, school and home, and assist their transitions into their new school environment. Topics of discussion include: what worked in their leaving process, making new friends, saying goodbye, and coping with the many changes inherent in moving. Most groups will take place at the beginning or end of the year. Children moving mid-year will meet with the counselor as needed. Transition support also includes helping children with grade moves especially between 2nd-3rd and 5th-6th.

Counseling Consultation with Parents

Parent Classes and Workshops

Parent classes are offered several times throughout the year. The UP Parenting Enrichment Program offers parents the opportunity to gain support as they share successful strategies to build on existing skills. Emphasis is placed on understanding the developmental needs of UP children, supporting one another as parents , and children’s appropriate engagement with technology and media.

Student Ambassador Program

Parent Resources

Resources

Counseling Website for Students and Families