Artondale Elementary School

All Students have the opportunity to receive individual and small group counseling and support. Our counselor teaches classroom lessons at every grade level two times per month using both the Artondale Terrific Kids program and the Peninsula School District Second Step Curriculum. Our counselor is Mimi Mathews at (253) 530-1100. She can help connect our families to outside agencies for any needed support.

WHAT DOES AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELOR DO?
A school counselor is a professional who provides guidance and counseling services for all students. These services help children develop academically, personally, emotionally, and socially.

SCHOOL COUNSELORS HELP OUR CHILDREN FIND SUCCESS IN SCHOOL BY...

• Helping develop positive attitudes among students towards self, family, and community.
• Counseling with students individually and in groups to understand and appreciate their unique qualities and to grow personally and socially.
• Supporting students by teaching skills for achieving success.
• Developing and delivering classroom guidance lessons that teach skills such as making healthy decisions, resolving conflicts, and respecting others.
• Assisting students to become invested in their school success by showing them how school performance relates to future opportunities.
• Working collaboratively with students, parents, teachers, and others to identify and remove barriers to student achievement.

Elementary Counseling and guidance services are for all students, not just those in crisis situations. 

HOW AND WHY DO PARENTS CONTACT THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR?
WHY?

• Concerns over student achievement
• Family health problems
• New school registration and orientation
• Discussing the special needs of their child
• Early discussion of potential crises
• Family difficulties or concerns

HOW?

• Self-referral
• Parent referral
• Administrative referral
• Teacher or other staff referral
• Referral by friend(s)
• Counselor request