- Nantucket Elementary School
- NES Counseling
Our Counseling Department
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Jennifer Williams, School Counselor
williamsje@npsk.orgHeidi Smith, School Counselor
smithh@npsk.orgMadeleine Sybert, Social Worker
sybertm@npsk.orgOur doors are always open. Please email or call for an appointment.
Welcome to School Counseling
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School Counseling Program Mission Statement:
Our mission is to prepare all students to be "Future Ready," by encouraging them to acquire the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to succeed academically, professionally, and as productive citizens in our community and society. Nantucket school counselors are committed to delivering a developmentally comprehensive school counseling program to all students. We strive to serve as advocates for students, allies with teachers, and liaisons with parents and community.
What Does a School Counselor Do?
Our School Counseling Program is delivered through Classroom Curriculum, Individual Student Planning, Responsive Services and System Support. We provide structured Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons for all students in classrooms K-2 40 minutes every week. This year, we started using a new curriculum called Second Step. Our goal is to teach knowledge and skills to support our students with developing the necessary skills to be able to handle day to day social and academic challenges while also forming positive relationships with others and a positive view of self. We also work with students in small groups, often over lunch, to review the skills that we teach in the classrooms. We support students individually as well, offering student check-ins, participation in Child Study Meetings and overseeing 504 Accommodation Plans. We believe that children do well if they can, learn best when they feel good about self and their relationships with others and are capable of making responsible choices.
Counselors' Corner
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Mrs. Hood and Mrs. Williams, our School Counselors, have been busy teaching Social Emotional Learning (SEL) every week in all K-2 classrooms using the Second Step curriculum. "Skills for Learning", the first unit, will assist your child in gaining skills to help themselves learn, including how to focus their attention, listen carefully, use self-talk to stay on task, and be assertive when they may need help with their schoolwork. Throughout the year, your child will be bringing home Home Links, simple and fun activities for you and your child to complete together. They are a great way for your child to show you what he or she is learning! When you see a Home Link, we encourage you to complete it with your child and have them return it to their classroom teacher.
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Getting to School on Time!
Whether it's the first days of September or the end of the school year, the stressful challenge of getting your kids out the door on time is a universal challenge! Read on to learn some of morning routine hacks to set the stage for better mornings.
9 Morning Routines to Help Getting to School on Time
Five Keys to Successful Social and Emotional Learning
Nurturing Kindness in Young Children