Counseling and Student Support

School Counselors work to establish trusting, confidential relationships with students, focused on problem solving, self-awareness, discovery and individual development.

School Counselors focus on the WELL-BEING of students, to ensure that all students are available to learn.

School counselors use a variety of educational resources and programs to benefit the changing needs of students, parents, faculty and community.

School Counselors use the ASCA model (American School Counseling Association) to provide many services including the following:

• Individual Counseling: Non-therapeutic, preventative counseling available on request or through referral (including self-referral by students).
• Small Group Counseling: Counselor led groups where students process and learn to manage emotions, behaviors, or age appropriate issues (such as friendship problem solving skills). Small groups may include the use of proven school-based programs, curriculums and/or techniques.
• Large Group Counseling: Regularly scheduled whole class character education/SEL (social-emotional learning) lessons, focused on supporting positive growth and development.
• Crisis Counseling: On an as-needed basis.
• Consultation/Coordination Services: Problem solving and referrals using a variety of school-based programs and personnel; including referrals to School Psychologist and/or School Social Worker.

Bullying Prevention

In our Bullying Prevention unit, Hoffman-Boston students learn how to Recognize, Report, and Refuse Bullying.  We also learn about being Upstanders.

Recognize

Bullying hurts someone’s body, feelings or belongings; it happens on purpose; it is unfair or one-sided; it happens more than once; and we are unable to get it to stop.

Report

When we recognize bullying it happening, we must report it to a caring and trusted adult.  When we report bullying, we try to use an assertive voice that is clear, serious, and respectful.  In our Bullying Prevention Unit, all students are asked to identify caring and trusted adults in the community who they could report bullying to.

Refuse

Both Upstanders and anyone who is experiencing bullying can refuse bullying by telling the bully or bullies to stop using an assertive voice.

Child Protection Unit

The Child Protection Unit includes one grade level specific lesson in Kindergarten through 5th grade classrooms.  Students learn ways to help them decide if something is safe or not: specifically, about safe, unsafe, and unwanted touches, and rules about touching private body parts (we define this to students as the area covered by swimsuits). They also learn to say no to unsafe or unwanted touches, and to tell an adult if someone breaks rules about touching private body parts. Students also practice asking an adult for help, telling an adult about an unsafe situation, and being assertive to get out of unsafe situations.

Career

In the counseling unit on Careers, Kindergarteners:

• Learn that people have jobs and a variety of jobs exist.
• Learn that people dream about getting certain jobs
• Learn about jobs people do at our school.
• Learn about jobs people do in our community.

What is Bullying?

Student bullying or harassment is the repeated infliction or attempted infliction of injury, discomfort, or humiliation on a student by one or more students. It is a pattern of aggressive, intentional or hostile behavior that occurs repeatedly and over time. Bullying/harassment typically involve an imbalance of power or strength. Bullying/harassment behaviors may include: physical, verbal, or nonverbal behaviors. These behaviors include, but are not limited to, intimidation; assault; extortion; oral or written threats; teasing; name-calling; threatening looks, gestures, or actions; rumor spreading; false accusations; hazing; social isolation; and abusive e-mails, phone calls, or other forms of cyber-bullying.

At Hoffman-Boston, our students learn the 3 R’s of Bullying Recognize – Bullying is unfair and one-sided. It happens when someone keeps hurting, frightening, threatening or leaving someone out on purpose.

Report – Reporting isn’t tattling!  Reporting is telling an adult in order to keep people safe. Any time is a good time to report bullying.

Refuse – If you feel safe,

1) Get calm,

2) Stand straight and tall,

3) Look at the person you are speaking to,

4) Say what you mean in a strong, clear, respectful voice. Example: “Stop! We do not act like that here.”

Other resources

• Virginia Law: https://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/prevention/bullying/
• APS Information: https://www.apsva.us/student-services/bully-prevention/
• National Bullying Prevention Center: https://www.pacer.org/bullying/
• Bullying and Mindset: https://www.stopbullying.gov/blog/

Reporting

• Encourage your student to let a trusted adult know what is happening:
  • Student’s Teacher
  • School Counselor
  • School Administrator
  • Extended Day Director (if occurring in Extended Day)
• Follow up