The mission of the Ithica Elementary School Counseling Program is to provide a foundation for the continual success of every student by providing a comprehensive school counseling program that encourages the highest level of student achievement through the development of academic, personal/social, and career readiness competencies.

Parents and students can expect the comprehensive counseling program to be focused on the academic, social/emotional, and career development of all students. Our counseling curriculum teaches problem solving skills utilizing Kelso’s Choices. We focus on defining big and small problems, how to use “I” statements, and the importance of choice in resolving interpersonal conflict. Our program incorporates Mindfulness techniques to assist in stress reduction such as belly breathing, grounding techniques using the 5 senses, and progressive muscle relaxation. We partner yearly with the Prevention Advocacy Resource Center (PARC) to provide our students with body safety education, utilizing the “Speak Up, Be Safe” curriculum. Each year, students in grades 3-5 visit local college campuses and our school partners with local volunteers to host a career day. This is part of our program's future-focused initiative.

Group Counseling is based on teacher referral and student needs. If your child is referred for group, parents will be provided a letter detailing the group curriculum and outline. Group will be voluntary and parents must provide written consent for their student to participate. Groups typically run 6 to 8 weeks with a maximum of 6 students per session and are taught during Exploratory.  

Students can be referred by administration, teachers, and parents for short-term individual student planning. Students can self-refer utilizing the counselor referral form found in Google classroom. Students and parents can expect us to work with students to solve problems, discuss choices and consequences for behavior, and assist in learning new coping strategies.