SDM Counselors' Corner
Welcome to SDM Counselor's Page!
I look forward to meeting and working with you in our journey of developing successful students.
Joannie Scott
jscott@vidalia-city.k12.ga.us
912-537-4755 ext. 4017
How Can a School Counselor Help a Student?
Academic Development
School counselors play a critical role in ensuring students have the academic development knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to be successful. School counselors can assist schools in providing an environment conducive to and supportive of academic success for all students.
College and Career Development
School counselors recognize that each student possesses unique interests, abilities, and goals, which will lead to future opportunities. By collaborating with students, families, educational staff, and the community, the school counselor works to ensure all students select a postsecondary path to productive citizenry appropriate for the student.
At the elementary level, the school counselor introduces careers and the world of work; help student understand the connection between school and the work world; provide and advocate for college and career awareness through exploration and postsecondary planning and decision making; and much more.
Social and Emotional Development
School counselors are committed to supporting students’ social/emotional needs, and promote a positive environment that enhances students’ ability to properly manage the social/emotional demands of their lives. School counselors use appropriate appraisal methods to promote a school environment designed to propel students toward positive mindsets and behaviors supporting social/emotional development through direct (e.g., classroom curriculum, group counseling and individual counseling) and indirect (e.g., collaborating or consulting with staff, families or communities) services.
Responsive Services
School counselors meet the immediate needs and concerns of students, support in crisis situations, and consult and collaborate with staff, families, and specialists.
How Are Services Delivered?
Classroom Counseling Lessons
We will visit each classroom multiple times throughout the school year and have the chance to interact with every student during these lessons. The lessons are typically 20-minutes long and cover different topics, such as goal setting, understanding feelings of self and others, problem solving skills, friendship skills, and study skills.
All students will receive classroom counseling lessons.
Small Group Counseling
A variety of small groups are offered to students who may benefit from spending extra time developing academic, social, or emotional skills along with their peers who are coping with similar life situations. Generally, a group is about 3 to 7 students. The sessions are during school hours and usually meet once a week. Some group topics include self-confidence, friendship, and grief.
Students can be referred to small group counseling by teachers, administrators, and parents/guardians. Consent from the parent/guardian is necessary prior to a student participating in group counseling.
Individual Counseling
Some students can benefit from one-on-one counseling regarding academic, social, or emotional challenges.
Students can be referred by teachers, administrators, and parents/guardians.
Contacting the School Counselor
Parents and guardians are welcome to meet with the school counselor and are encouraged to make an appointment in advance to ensure the counselor will be available. An appointment can be made by calling or emailing the school counselor.
General Resources
Helplines
- Georgia Crisis & Access Line (24/7 helpline for problems with mental health, drugs, and/or alcohol) Call: 1-800-715-4225
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Call: 988
- National Domestic Violence Hotline Call: 1-800-799-7233 Text: "LOVEIS" to 22522
Local Resources
- The Refuge Domestic Violence Shelter / The Refuge Sexual Assault Center
https://www.therefugeshelter.org/
Domestic Violence Shelter 912-538-9935
Sexual Assault Center 912-216-3898
Toombs County Family Connection
100 Vidalia Sweet Onion Drive, Vidalia, GA 30474
912-245-2542
God's Store House Food-Clothing
300 McIntosh Street A, Vidalia, GA 30474
912-538-1730
His Works Ministry Outreach & Food Bank
120 East Liberty Avenue, Lyons, GA 912-388-8043
Bread of Heaven Outreach (Food Bank)
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087295603270
Southeast Georgia Community Project (Food Bank and Clothes)
300 S. State Street, Lyons, GA
912-526-5451
Pineland Mental Health (Mental Health, Addiction, Developmental Disabilities)
901 North Street West, Vidalia, GA 30474
912-537-8959
Malinda Graham and Associates, Inc. (Counseling)
304 Arlington Drive, Vidalia, GA 30474 912-537-1414
Leigh-Anne White and Company (Counseling)
106 East 2nd Street, Vidalia, GA 30474 912-585-5504
Helpful Websites for Families
Free online courses, lessons, and practice for students (Academics)
Internet Safety
GCF Global: Teaching kids about Internet safety
Keeping Children and Young People Safe Online
Child Growth and Development and Positive Parenting Tips
Social and Emotional Development
What Parents Need to Know About Social-Emotional Development
How Can We Help Kids With Self-Regulation?
Raising Children to Have a Positive Attitude
10 Tips to Prevent Gadget Addiction in Kids
Self-Care for Families
Mental Health First Aid: Tips to Practice Self-care as a Family
Parents Together: 30-Day Family Self-Care Challenge
Mental Health Resource for Parents and Caregivers
Study Skills for Students
Study Skills for Elementary Students: 31 Powerful Techniques
7 ways to help your grade-schooler develop good study habits
Georgia Milestones Resources
GADOE Georgia Milestones Resources for Parents and Students
RTIs, 504s, & IEPs
Response to Interventions (RTI)
- Gives additional support (interventions) to students who are struggling in different areas. (i.e., reading, math, speech, and behavior)
- Teachers identify students who have problems, and use different teaching techniques while keeping them in the classroom
- Progress is closely monitored and reviewed to make decisions about next steps towards success
- If progress is less than expected based on the established goals, the interventions will intensify. Student may move to Tier II or Tier III or referred to special education based on their needs.
Tier I: Universal Interventions
Quality, research- based core instruction available to all students in a classroom or school.
Tier II: Targeted Small Group Instruction
Student receives additional support in areas where they are struggling.
Tier III: Intensive Intervention
Students who are "non-responders" to Tiers 1 & 2. Receive individualized interventions and more frequent progress monitoring.
504 Plans
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act is a federal law that was passed in 1973 to prohibit discrimination based on ability
- Ensures that children with learning disabilities can participate in school without discrimination
- Intended to support student needs and level the playing field
- 504 plan contains a list of accommodations that a general education teacher must provide, or allow a student with a disability to use in the classroom
- 504 accommodations remove obstacles that keep children from learning
Who Is Eligible?
- A student with a physical or mental disability AND the disability limits a major life activity.
- Major life activities can include “seeing, hearing, learning, reading, writing, performing math calculations, and performing manual tasks”.
Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
- Covered by special education law, or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
- Written legal document/plan
- Blueprint for the program of special education instruction, supports, and services that students need to make progress and thrive in school
- The process consists of the student being evaluated for their strengths and challenges. With the results, families and schools create a program of services and supports tailored to meet the student’s needs
Who Is Eligible?
A student who has one or more of the 13 disabilities listed in IDEA AND the disability affects the student's educational performance.
Teacher Resources
Helpful Websites
Social-Emotional Development in Children for the Classroom
Social Emotional Development in Children
SEL for Elementary Schoolers: 5 Everyday Activities for Your Classroom
Classroom Behavior Interventions
PBIS World - A Complete Tier 1 through Tier 3 Positive Behavior Interventions
10 Calming Strategies for the Classroom
Study Skills for Students
Study Skills for Elementary Students: 31 Powerful Techniques
Self-Care
9 Ways to Practice Self Care During the School Day | Self Care Tips for Teachers
Why Self-Care Matters and How to Practice Self-Care In Your School
Student Resources
Academics
College and Career
The Fantasy, The Ideal, and The Reality of Career Exploration (video)
Jobs and Occupations - Vocabulary for Kids - Compilation (video)
Social/Emotional
Classroom Guidance Lessons
The school counselor meets with all students in the classroom to discuss academic skills, college and career readiness, and social/emotional skills. Below is an overview of lessons that we provided to the students.
1st Nine Weeks
2nd Nine Weeks
3rd Nine Weeks
4th Nine Weeks