School Counselors

As elementary school counselors, their primary objective is to assist students in reaching their potential to become effective learners. Their goal is to complement the learning environment in the classroom by using a child-centered, preventative, and developmental approach.

Counseling will be conducted with students individually and in small groups, when requested by parents and teachers and determined appropriate. This service is short-term, voluntary, and confidential. Parent notification is given to any extended individual or group counseling. There will also be monthly classroom guidance lessons focusing on student success.

What do our school counselors do?

• They help to create a safe school environment where children can learn
• Work with students on attendance issues
• Coordinate referrals to outside agencies.
• Help design interventions to enhance student success.
• Develop community partnerships to enhance student career awareness.
• Help teachers create a positive classroom environment.
• Help students learn anger management, conflict resolution, and mediation skills.
• Help parents, teachers and administrators learn how to meet the needs of all students.

How and Why do Parents Contact the School Counselor?

Parents can call the school counselor at any time for a phone conference or can set up a school visit.

• Concerns over student achievement
• Family Health Problems
• Test interpretation
• Discussing special needs of their child
• Early discussion of potential crises
• Family difficulties or concerns

How does a student see the school counselor?

• Self-referral
• Request of a counselor
• Parent referral
• Administrative referral
• Teacher or other staff referral
• Referral by friend

Please do not hesitate to contact our amazing school counselors!

School Psychology Services

School psychologists are mental health specialists with knowledge of child development, the psychology of learning, behavior management and intervention, monitoring the progress of students, and program evaluation. School psychologists apply this knowledge using a problem-solving approach to help bring about positive changes in the learning environment, attitude, and motivation. Services offered by the school psychologist may be provided directly to the student or indirectly by working with teachers, parents, and other care givers; however, all services provided by the school psychologist are intended to enhance the academic and social emotional success of students. Minimum requirements to be a school psychologist include a 60-hour master's degree program and a one-year full-time internship; many FCPS school psychologists hold doctoral degrees.

Social Work and Support Services

School social workers focus on family and community factors that influence learning. They provide intensive services for students facing issues that pose risks to their academic success such as parent divorce and separation, poverty, truancy, chronic illness, mental health problems, conduct problems, child abuse, etc.

All FCPS social workers hold a Master of Social Work (MSW) or Master of Social Science (MSS) degree; many have earned a Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) degree. All school social workers are licensed by the Virginia Department of Education. The majority of the staff is clinically licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Social Work (LCSW) or in other jurisdictions and trained to provide mental health services in any setting.