ELEMENTARY GUIDANCE COUNCIL


Counselors' Role in the SchoolsWe are excited about the Elementary Guidance Program offered at Seneca Valley School District. It is a program that will benefit our students as they grow and develop. The purpose of the program is to address the developmental needs of all students, as well as, provide additional support to students with specific needs.
As school counselors, we accomplish these goals through providing classroom guidance activities, educational support groups, a new student "Buddy" program, building-wide enrichment programs, and individual student support. Elementary counselors are also members of teams that assist students with various academic, emotional, social/behavioral needs.
In order to create a supportive environment to enable student success, we also collaborate with parents and faculty. Consulting with you, the parents and guardians, concerning any special issues affecting your child's educational, emotional, and/or social growth and development is one of our primary goals. We encourage you to contact us with any questions and/or concerns. 

CONFLICT MEDIATION PROCESS

Elementary and Middle School students are encouraged to resolve conflicts utilizing the mediation process, which is outlined below. Students may ask a teacher or their guidance counselor to facilitate the process for them. Parents may also refer their children to mediation by contacting their child's homeroom teacher or the guidance counselor.

Conflict mediation is a process that has been adopted throughout the Seneca Valley School District. Though the same process is used throughout the school district, it is adapted to meet the needs of students of all ages. The mission statement below describes the district's philosophy regarding conflict mediation.

 

Seneca Valley "Peace" Mission:

Seneca Valley School District accepts the reality that conflict is natural, and many times, inevitable in relationships between people, including friends. The Seneca Valley K-12 Conflict Mediation "PEACE" Curriculum demonstrates to administrators, teachers, students, and to the Seneca Valley community that there are ways to deal with conflict other than passivity or aggression. The goals of the Conflict Mediation "PEACE" Curriculum are to develop conflict resolution skills, to increase understanding and appreciation of others' viewpoints and individual and cultural differences, and to empower all youth to play a significant role in creating a more peaceful world.

 

Conflict Mediation "PEACE" Process:

Step 1 P: Pause and take time to cool off if needed; introduce mediation process

Step 2 E: Explore the problem by talking and listening to each other

Step 3 A: Ask questions and understand each other's needs

Step 4 C: Consider solutions that you can agree upon

Step 5 E: Establish a plan

The following rules are used to guide the mediation process. These rules help ensure that each person involved in the mediation will be heard, understood and repected. When conflict mediation is successful both students walk away with the assurrance that the conflict has been resolved. Furthermore, students will have gained addition skills and strategies to solve conflicts in future.

 

Conflict Mediation Rules:

1. Treat others with respect

2. Speak kindly (No blaming, name calling, put-downs)

3. Tell the truth (We are not here to blame or punish but to solve the problem)

4. Listen without interrupting

5. Work together to solve the problem

6. Keep talks confidential

The Peace Pledge is read in third and fourth grade and the students sign the following:

THE PEACE PLEDGE:

I pledge to do my part to make my school and community a safe and pleasant place by being respectful to others. I will set the example of a caring person by thinking about other people's feelings. I will not use words or actions that hurt others. I will not tease others or use put-downs. I will stand up for what is right and encourage others not to tease or use put-downs. I pledge to be part of the solution to help create a peaceful community.

In fifth and sixth grade, students are given the opportunity to read together and sign individually The Peace Pledge:

THE PEACE PLEDGE:

• I will pledge to be part of the solution
• I will eliminate taunting from my own behavior
• I will encourage others to do the same
• I will do my part to make my community a safe place by being more sensitive to others
• I will set an example of a caring individual
• I will eliminate profanity towards others from my language
• I will not let my words or actions hurt others
• And if others won't become part of the solution, I will

 DONE ***