Individual and Group Counseling
Short-term counseling services are available to all L.P.E.S. students on an as need basis. Referrals for short-term counseling may come from any of the following sources: student self-referral, parents, teachers, administrators, and/or community agencies. Long-term counseling services are only available at the request of the L.P.E.S. Instructional Support Team (IST), the Committee on Special Education (C.S.E.), The PBIS Team, or the 504 Accommodation Committee. Counseling services may be developmental, psychoeducational, skill-based, problem-centered, or crisis oriented.

Classroom Guidance Lessons
Classroom guidance lessons are an essential part of the LPES developmental school counseling program. Every classroom at each grade level participates in a series of planned lessons based on three major developmental areas: academic development, career development, and personal/social development. These lessons are designed to reach all students and to build skills for student success. Over the years, these lessons have been planned in collaboration with the teaching staff and are well integrated into the standard curriculum. Parents always receive an information letter at the start of each classroom guidance unit detailing what is to be covered. Plus all the lessons are listed in detail on this Counselor’s Corner website. Most classroom guidance lessons are taught by the school counselor. These lessons fulfill the New York State Education Department mandates for character education and violence prevention (SAVE) and social-emotional development and learning (SEDL).  All classroom guidance lessons comply with current recommendations of the American School Counselor Association national standards for school counseling programs and the New York State School Counselor Association standards for school counseling programs.

For more on SAVE:  http://www.p12.nysed.gov/sss/ssae/schoolsafety/save/sevensteps.html

For more on SEDL:  http://www.p12.nysed.gov/sss/sedl/

PBIS and Developmental Lunch Groups
Lunch groups are open to students in grades K -5. These counselor generated, counselor led groups are designed to foster healthy social-emotional development and learning (SEDL). Participating students are invited to have lunch with the school counselor once a week for 2-6 weeks. Themes include feelings awareness, friendship, study skills, social skills, and problem-solving. Lunch groups are based on a workshop type format that includes discussion, games, and activities. Student participation in most developmental lunch groups is voluntary. Parents and LPES staff are welcome to refer any student for participation in a lunch group. This year, many of the lunch groups will support the new PBIS program. Parents will be notified if their child participates in a lunch group.

For more on SEDL: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/sss/sedl/

For more on PBIS: http://www.pbis.org/school/what_is_swpbs.aspx

The Primary Project
The Primary Project is a school based program designed to supplement the educational experience and personal development of young elementary school age children. The Primary Project is based on the premise that helping a child find success in the early grades helps prevent difficulties in the later grades. The elementary grades are a time of transition for most students. Student's attitudes toward school, formed in these early years, often stay with them throughout their entire school experience. Involvement in the Primary Project helps children in grades K - 3 get a good start in their schooling. All students in grades K-3 are screened for possible inclusion in this program. The Primary Project serves about 25 students each year. Selected students meet one-on-one weekly with a teaching assistant specially trained for this program. They meet in a playroom setting. The LPES Primary Project is a proven program with a 50+ year supportive research base. 

For more on the Primary Project: http://www.childrensinstitute.net/programs/primary-project

PPP Mentoring
Involvement in Primary Project Plus Mentoring means a student is invited to spend an additional year meeting with the same teaching assistant in the room used by the Primary Project. Like the Primary Project, the PPP Mentoring is a school based program designed to supplement the educational experience and personal development of young elementary school age children. PPP Mentoring is based on the premise that helping a child find success in the early grades helps prevent difficulties in the later grades. Selected students meet one-on-one weekly with a teaching assistant specially trained for this program. The students in PPP Mentoring engage in conversation, educational games, and play designed to enhance school adjustment and social-emotional skill development.

Friendship Lunch Groups for Girls
This program is for 4th and 5th grade girls. The pre-teen years are years when girls often experience friendship problems. This literature-based group is designed to help girls learn how to deal with social problems. Friendship groups meet once a week for lunch for four weeks. Activities include reading, games, craft projects, and discussion. Parent permission is not required.

Grade 4 girls read Friends: Making Them and Keeping Them

Grade 5 Girls read: A Smart Girl's Guide to Friendship Troubles

Both books are from American Girl Publishing:  http://www.americangirlpublishing.com/advice/beyourbest/Friends.aspx
 

Parent Resource Collection
The Parent Resource Collection is located in the LPES library. Parents and community members are encouraged to borrow books, CDs, and DVDs. The checkout system is easy. Just ask the library staff to issue you a personal library card. The topics covered include: parenting, discipline, communication, child development, childhood issues, feelings awareness, friendship skill building, school, learning, changing families, loss, moving, personal safety, bedtime, and much more. The Parent Resource Library includes books, CDs, and DVDs for both adults and children. Reading books to children can be very useful as a way to prepare them for specific events and as a way to support them during difficult times. Using books to help children grow and change is called bibliotherapy.