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Counselor’s Corner |
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Welcome to my little corner of the World Wide Web. I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Michele Wells and I am the school counselor at Linden Park Elementary school. This is my second year here at Linden Park and the beginning of my eleventh year with District 91. Previously I was one of the Community Resource Workers and my office was at Dora Erickson.
I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work in 1998 from ISU and earned my Master’s Degree in Social Work from Walla Walla College Missoula Extension in 2002.
I am married with three children, Savanah 21, Garion 16 and Shawn 14. I am also a new Grandma of Jadalynn who was born this summer. I love watching my boys play football and baseball and listening to them play music. I also enjoy scrap booking, playing card games with Savanah and her husband Darrick, and gardening.
This year at Linden Park we will be working school-wide on character education using the 6 Pillars of Good Character and the Word Of the Week Programs. I will also be working with classrooms on conflict management skills, social skills and other subjects. Ask your kids to tell you about these programs and keep the dialog going!
I absolutely love working with kids and am looking forward to a TeRRiFiCC school year!
School Counselors... ¨ Work with individuals and groups ¨ Help identify needs of students ¨ Encourage better interpersonal relationships ¨ Promote positive attitudes and choices ¨ Aid teachers and parents in helping students ¨ Assist people in making use of community resources ¨ Coordinate efforts with other school programs ¨ Assist students with the process of growing up ¨ Coordinate referrals to outside agencies ¨ Assist with in-service programs for faculty ¨ Participate in curriculum development ¨ Provide "preventative" services ¨ Maintain confidentiality ¨ Help children develop a better understanding and acceptance of themselves. ¨ Help children cope with family changes. ¨ Help children develop decision making and problem solving skills. ¨ Help children develop socially and emotionally, to mature in their relationships with others. ¨ Help children to understand themselves in relation to their own development. ¨ Help Parents understand their children's emotions, behaviors, and learning styles ¨ Help School staff understand and meet students' intellectual, personal, social and emotional needs. ¨ Help Parents and teachers create a positive learning environment.
According to the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), "Elementary school counselors are professionals with a mental health perspective who understand and respond to the challenges presented by today's diverse student population. Elementary school counselors don't work in isolation; rather they are integral to the total educational program."
IN WHICH HOUSE DO YOU LIVE IN? a poem by Vivian Merriman
"I GOT TWO A'S" THE SMALL BOY SAID HIS VOICE WAS FILLED WITH GLEE. HIS FATHER VERY BLUNTLY ASKED, "WHY DIDN'T YOU GET THREE?"
"MOM, I'VE GOT THE DISHES DONE", THE GIRL CALLED FROM THE DOOR. HER MOTHER CALMLY ASKED, "DID YOU SWEEP THE FLOOR?"
"I MOWED THE GRASS", THE TALL BOY SAID, "AND PUT THE MOWER AWAY." HIS FATHER ASKED HIM WITH A SHRUG, "DID YOU CLEAN OFF THE CLAY?"
THE CHILDREN IN THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR SEEMED HAPPY AND CONTENT. THE SAME THING HAPPENED OVER THERE, BUT THIS IS HOW IT WENT.
"I GOT TWO A'S" THE SMALL BOY SAID. HIS VOICE WAS FILLED WITH GLEE. HIS FATHER PROUDLY SAID, "THAT'S GREAT, I'M GLAD YOU BELONG TO ME!"
"MOM, I'VE GOT THE DISHES DONE," THE GIRL CALLED FROM THE DOOR. HER MOTHER SMILED AND SOFTLY SAID, "EACH DAY I LOVE YOU MORE."
"I MOWED THE GRASS,"THE TALL BOY SAID, "AND PUT THE MOWER AWAY." HIS FATHER ANSWERED WITH MUCH JOY, "YOU'VE MADE MY DAY HAPPY."
CHILDREN DESERVE PRAISE FOR THE TASKS THEY'RE ASKED TO DO. IF THEY'RE TO LEAD HAPPY LIVES, SO MUCH DEPENDS ON YOU!
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To contact us: 1305 Ninth Street Phone: 208-525-7642 Idaho Falls, ID 83404 Fax: 208-525-7644 E-mail: Lindenpark@d91.k12.id.us
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Linden Park Elementary School
Home of the Tigers |