Counselor's Corner

Welcome to the Counselor's Office,

In today's digital age, there is an abundance of websites available to provide assistance to parents like you. With a simple search using your preferred search engine, you can instantly access various sites that cater to your specific concerns. These sites offer a wealth of excellent information that you can use at your discretion. Whether you're looking for book, magazine, or movie reviews, or seeking methods to help your child improve their knowledge, organization, responsibility, or independence, the internet has a vast array of resources to explore.

If you need further support or guidance, please don't hesitate to let me know.

Here are some useful websites:

In the role of a school counselor, the responsibilities go far beyond simply providing counsel. At Garriga Elementary, we are a close-knit and caring school community, focused on the needs of our students. On any given day, my tasks may range from helping students cope with bullying, conducting classroom presentations on various topics, to organizing programs like Fire Prevention, Veteran's Day, or Red Ribbon Week.

As a counselor, my duties fall under four main components:

1. Guidance Curriculum: I visit classrooms and present on decision making, goal setting, responsible behavior, and self-esteem, and also address career awareness.

2. Responsive Services: I promptly address the immediate needs of students, such as academic concerns, stress management, family issues, or misbehavior. Long-term intervention requires parental permission.

3. Individual Planning: I assist students in setting goals and planning their future, including coping with test anxiety, study habits, and exploring career opportunities.

4. Program and Staff Support: This involves collaborating with teachers and administrators, conducting research and outreach, and providing parent education. 

While the role of a counselor may seem straightforward, it is anything but simple. Each day brings a diverse set of responsibilities, along with answering phones and being available for students and teachers alike. Nonetheless, my passion for this job keeps me dedicated to making a positive impact at Garriga Elementary.

I am immensely proud to be part of the Garriga Elementary community, and I promise to give my best every day to ensure our students grow into self-assured, caring, and respectful adults.

This month, Tarpon students at Garriga will be learning about the Character Trait of Honesty. Please use this Character Strong parent handout to talk to your kids about this month's character trait, Honesty. 

Honesty Family Newsletter

Honesty Overview

This month's focus is Honesty. One way to think about Honesty is "being truthful in what you say and do." Practicing Honesty helps strengthen our relationships and even reduces stress. Honesty is 1 of 3 traits we will focus on throughout the year that helps students Be Well. Across grade levels, students will be developing skills like emotion regulation, positive self-talk, and stress-management.

Conversation Starters

  • Can you share or show what it means to practice Honesty?

  • What is 1 way you can be more Honest with others?

PurposeFull Pursuits

Have some fun connecting as a family this month while practicing Honesty. Here are 2 "PurposeFull Pursuits" you can complete together!

  1. Review Honesty as a family! Honesty is being truthful in what you say and do. Discuss the importance of being Honest and work together to create a family Honesty pledge. Create and decorate a sign together that explains what Honesty means in your family. Have each family member sign the pledge and choose a spot to display it. Refer back to the pledge as a reminder to be Honest and to celebrate when Honesty is practiced!

  2. Set aside some time to gather as a family and check in with each other. Ask each family member, "How are you feeling today?" Practice Honesty when responding and listen carefully as each family member shares. Use the emotion check-in questions to learn more. Challenge yourselves to check in with each other on a regular basis!

Emotion Check-In Questions:

  • Tell me more about that feeling.

  • Why do you think you are felling that emotion?

  • What do you need right now?

Nora Atkinson