• COUNSELING DEPARTMENT

    Thank you for visiting the Counseling Department.  Our primary focus is teaching children about character education, resiliency, and conflict resolution. We also have lessons about bullying, internet safety, feelings, stress management, career, and understanding self and others. Please ask your child what they have been learning about during guidance. 

    brownas@staffordschools.net     Mrs. Brown

                   cranejl@staffordschools.net        Mrs. Crane                

    If you need to come in to speak with one of the counselors, please call first to set up an appointment so that we can take the time needed to meet with you.  We work with students individually to address issues as they arise during the school year. Parents are welcomed to seek our assistance if your child needs some extra counseling support. Our schedules stay extremely busy, and we want to be available to you to discuss your concerns.  You can also email us at the addresses listed on this web page. Thank you!

    Three Major Components of the Counseling Program:

    Classroom Guidance:   Classroom guidance is taught approximately once a month in all classrooms. Lessons primarily emphasize the character education initiative in Stafford County. For example, we teach lessons about words of the month such as RESPONSIBILITY, HONESTY, RESPECT, and PERSEVERANCE.  Other classroom lessons may include topics such as bullying, test taking skills, friendship, career awareness, and conflict resolution.                
      
    Small Group Counseling: Small group sessions are held once a week, during the school day, for approximately four to six weeks.  Various groups are offered throughout the year.  Topics may include anger management, confidence building, friendship, changing families, deployment, and others based upon needs in the school.  We will ask for parent permission for a student to join a group.  

    Individual Counseling:  Individual counseling is available for students experiencing a particular concern.  Counseling in the school is offered on a short-term basis, and primarily is designed to help children cope with specific issues. Parents and/or teachers may recommend a child for individual counseling.  Permission is required for children to receive counseling services on a regular basis.  However, children have self-referral slips if they wish to meet with a counselor occasionally during the school year.  As professional school counselors, we believe that children have the right to confidentiality.  However, we will always keep the best interests of the child first, and we use our best discretion when informing parents of information shared in counseling.  

    School Counseling Mission Statement

    It is the mission of the School Counseling Program at Falmouth Elementary School to recognize and respect the unique qualities of each student and guide all students toward academic, social/emotional, and career success. By collaborating with other educators, the families of students, and members of the community, using a comprehensive guidance program, maintaining high expectations for all students, and addressing barriers to learning, we aim to provide students with the skills, knowledge, and attitude to become effective learners and productive members of their communities.

     School Counseling Philosophy and Beliefs 

    • All students can be successful
    • All students' dignity and culture, including race, ethnicity, gender, abilities, disabilities, religion, home language, socio-economic status, and sexual orientation, should be respected and valued.
    • School counseling is an essential and integral part of the overall education process.
    • All students will have access to a comprehensive, developmental school counseling program run by a Master's level, state certified professional school counselor.
    • The school counseling program, which is concerned with ALL students, has a goal of being collaborative, proactive, and responsive.
    • The school counselor will be accountable by using data to drive program development and evaluation.

    Counselor Ethics

    School counselors abide by the professional ethical standards of the Virginia/American School Counselor Association. School Counselors' relationships with others comply with all laws, policies, and ethical standards pertaining to confidentiality. Information and records of personal and social counseling with students are kept confidential and separate from a student's educational records and will not be disclosed to third parties without prior parent consent or as otherwise provided by law.