Counseling Services

Counseling services are available for elementary students through a community-based service (Resolve) and district staff. The services focus on the following objectives:

1.	To assess pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students District pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students are screened for possible entrance into the early childhood programs. A team of teachers and specialists assesses students individually and provides information on student readiness and appropriate student placement for their next year's assignments. Conferences are held with parents.
2.	To assist students with the process of adjustment The Intervention and Referral Service (I&RS), a committee comprised of the school nurse and selected teachers, assists the principal with the identification of regular education students who are in need of counseling services above and beyond that which may be offered through the regular instructional program. Students identified by the I&RS may also be referred to the Child Study Team for further evaluation. Upon parental written consent, additional services for students are provided by counselors from the Resolve Community Counseling Center located in Scotch Plains. Resolve counselors work closely with the school principal, nurse and teachers to assist students with behavioral difficulties, peer and social difficulties, poor academic achievement and a host of other related problems.
3.	To assist 4th grade students with the transition to middle school The middle school guidance counselors organize an orientation program for 4th grade students in the spring to provide them with information about middle school to prepare them for the move to the 5th grade. Part of this orientation includes a morning visit to the middle school during which students meet with the principal and tour the building. It also includes an evening orientation meeting for the parents of the 4th graders.
In addition, the district's Elementary Guidance Curriculum for Grades 1-4 is designed to provide developmentally appropriate information and strategies on the themes of Positive Peer Relationships, Personal Safety, Self-Esteem, and Bullying. These themes are addressed through lessons at each grade level. The lessons are facilitated by the Resolve Counselors with the classroom teachers' assistance.