A Message from the School Counselor
Dear Golden Hill Elementary School Families,
I am Mrs. Julie Potter, the school counselor at Golden Hill Elementary. I have the pleasure of working with students, teachers, parents, guardians and families throughout the year to help support student academic and social-emotional success.
As a school counselor, I perform the following roles at Golden Hill:
- Individual counseling
- Small group counseling
- Classroom Guidance (i.e. large group counseling)
- Member of the RTI Team
- Committee for Special Education Chairperson.
In counseling and classroom guidance sessions, we learn:
- Kindness
- Mindfulness
- Positive school behaviors
- College and career readiness
- Goal setting
- And much more!
If you have any questions please reach out to me at 845-651-3095 ext. 20054 or email jpotter@floridaufsd.org.
Here is an excerpt from an article written by a school social worker following the Sandy Hook tragedy that embodies my counseling philosophy:
Why I Believe Teaching Kindness is More Important than Ever
How am I going to do this? Teach kindness. Teach KINDNESS. It is my obligation.
When you know better, you ought to do better. And I know from that tragic day that as an educator I can do better. We need to empower children to feel good about themselves and to help others feel good about themselves. We need to teach them how to be aware of the children they share space with, who seem lonely, may not fit in, and how to connect with them.
Our children need to gain an understanding of the power of being kind and the impact it can have when we are not. How a simple act of kindness, such as smiling at someone who may be having a rough day can make that moment better. Sending simple notes or doing monthly community projects teaches children that they each play a significant role in our community, as well as our world.
Really bad things happen and I am brave enough now to share that with my students.
I am also confident in saying to them, “The world is still good my little friend because you are in it. You are kind. And on days that you have doubt you will see, hear and feel kindness from your friends. And on days when you friends have doubt, you will show them kindness in return. On days when you forget, I will remind you that you are kind and I believe in you. You are not alone.”
M. Hettenbach (2017)
How School Counselors Help Students Every Day
- Assist students in selecting courses that align with FUFSD goals, attributes and outcomes, commencement requirements, educational/career goals,teacher recommendations and parental approval.
- Career/Life education through classroom activities, community outreach and individualized counseling sessions.
- College/Career school planning and transition planning.
- College application process and scholarship information.
- Facilitating relationships between students, teachers, parents, community members and administrators.
- Counseling for decision-making, goal setting and academic success.
- Function as part of the team in both 504 and Committee on Special Education meetings.
- Counseling in family and peer relationships.
- Counseling students with personal, emotional and social problems.
- Supporting the individual needs of each student.