Guidance

Mr. Amato, Ms. Below, Ms. Bender and Mr. Lepore provide individual counseling for students on an as needed basis. Topics are individualized for each student but can include areas such as academic support, peer relation issues, anxiety, self-esteem, and problems at home, school or in the community.

Each counselor offers small group counseling on an as-needed basis.  With parent permission, students can join groups which include a variety of topics.  Some groups may focus on developing self-esteem or friendship skills, where other groups may focus on developing respect for others and personal responsibility. Each session consists of different discussions and games which emphasize building positive self-concepts and social skills.  Other small groups are offered on an as-needed basis based on specific issues or themes that may need to be addressed.

Mr. Amato, Ms. Below, Ms. Bender and Mr. Lepore also visits the classrooms at Swiftwater Elementary Center throughout the school year. The counselors utilize a curriculum called “Second Step”, as well as other activities. The “Second Step” program is a research-based Social Skills program used throughout the Pocono Mountain school district. The curriculum is interactive. The lessons include empathy, emotion-management, and problem-solving skills, as well as self-regulation skills. In the primary grade levels (K-3) executive-function skills are included, to prepare students to learn whatever they need to—from social emotional skills to math and science. You can also find more information here www.cfchildren.org/second-step/elementary.aspx.
Other topics discussed in our classroom guidance lessons include, anti-bullying, school safety, bucket filling (www.bucketfillers101.com), and components of “The Way to Be at SEC”, a positive school-wide behavior program which focus on Being Respectful, Being Responsible, Being Trustworthy and Being Good Citizens.

Mr. Amato, Ms. Below, Ms. Bender and Mr. Lepore are key members of the Swiftwater Elementary Center’s Child Study Team. In this capacity, they are able to ensure that all students are receiving the emotional and/or academic support that they need. They also are able to guide parents in the direction needed in order to assist them in helping to meet their student’s needs outside of school.
Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s counselor at 570-839-7121, ext. 29400