- Van Buren Elementary
- Counselor's Corner
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Hello!
I am Taylor McDonald and I am the School Counselor at Van Buren Elementary. Our counseling program at Van Buren aims to meet the social, emotional, and academic needs of all of our students. These needs can be met through whole class instruction, small group counseling, and individual counseling sessions.
The following topics will be addressed with all students throughout the year:
- Manage feelings
- Building/Maintaining friendships
- Peer Pressure
- Bullying
- Self-Esteem
- Helpful/Unhelpful Choices
- Effective Communication
Email: tmcdonald@pngisd.org
If you have concerns you would like to discuss with me please send me an email, call, or print out the parent referral form below and send it to school with your student.
Please note that school counselors do not provide "therapy" or "traditional counseling". Referrals for outside counseling services are available for children needing more traditional therapy help. Please contact me for our district referral list or you can find it attached here: Parent Resources/ District Referrals
Counseling Program
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Every month we send home a copy of the "Home and School Connection". This newsletter will allow you to stay connected to your student's educational journey. this newsletter provides practical tips to ensure parents are able to support their child during their time at school.
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Due to the generosity of the Knights of Columbus, Van Buren is able to offer students the Backpack Buddy Program. We understand that not all of our students are able to have all of their needs met without a little help, and we are here for you. With our backpack program, we are able to discreetly provide children nonperishable food for their weekends home. The food is sent home every Friday with your students.
If you feel as though you need assistance from our backpack program please contact Mrs. McDonald at (409)962-6511.
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During our classroom lessons, students will be taught about having good character and what that looks like. My hope is to help your child develop strong character traits that will push them into becoming the best version of themselves.
Other units we will cover throughout the year are:
- Gun Safety
- Drug Awareness
- Good Touch/Bad touch
- Emergency 911
- Bullying
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During our classroom lessons, we will also teach your student(s) about Social Emotional Learning. Social-emotional learning is the process of learning self-control, self-awareness, responsible decision making, relationship skills, and social awareness. These skills are not only vitally important for children but adults as well.
Please take a look at some of the links below to learn more about Social Emotional Learning.
What is Social Emotional Learning