Welcome to

Mrs. Russo

Guidance

Welcome Back!

September Counseling News

Welcome to our new school year! We are happy to welcome back our returning students and families and hope you had a relaxing and wonderful summer. For our new students and families, we extend our warmest welcome and we are glad you have joined our St.
Ann's Family.

For our new families, my name is Nancy Russo and this is my thirteenth year as the counselor of St. Ann's School. I am often called "Ms. Nancy" by most of the students and it is common knowledge that Mickey Mouse often helps with my classroom guidance lessons! I teach classroom guidance to all grades on a bi-weekly basis on a variety of topics that include friendships, conflict resolution, anger management, bullying, nutrition and healthy exercise habits, personal safety (including stranger danger and internet safety), careers and drug and alcohol awareness. In addition, last year was the launch of our new "Character Ed" program, which is a year long school-wide program for character building. The program is based on nine main character words which change on a monthly basis. In order to capture the students' attention and encourage focusing on these character words, the bumble bee mascot "Ed" makes regular visits to the classrooms and focuses on the word of the month, which is reinforced through classroom guidance lessons and parent letters which will come home through the family packet. This month, our "bee word" is Good Citizen. There are many levels of citizenship from the school to the world and we will be discussing ways to role model good citizenship. Be on the lookout for the parent letter in your upcoming family packet explaining more about our word of the month.

I am excited about our new school year and look forward to working with your children.
Please call me if you have any questions or concerns about your child and I will be happy to assist you. I can be reached at 704-527-2026, which is my office number. If I am not available, please feel free to leave me a confidential voice mail message.

Many blessings to you and your family.

Sincerely yours, Nancy Russo, MA, LPC, NCC Counselor at St. Ann's School

COUNSELOR

St. Ann School offers a comprehensive counseling program to its students, parents and staff. Its goal is to enhance learning through personal, social, spiritual and academic growth. Developmental in nature, it focuses on prevention and early intervention.
Classroom guidance lessons are taught bi-monthly to all students. The goal of these lessons is to develop valuable skills that build self esteem and enhance school success.
Understanding emotions, conflict resolution, problem solving, self responsibility, decision-making, communications and drug and alcohol abuse prevention are topics taught 4t this curriculum.

Individual counseling is available to all students seeking assistance. Students may self refer or be referred by staff or parents. Concerns relating to school, peers or family can be discussed in a confidential and professional setting. Group counseling and lunchtime discussion groups are also offered throughout the year. These groups may focus on study skills, social skills, friendships or family stresses; such as separation/divorce, illness or loss of a loved one. As requested, the school counselor can assist families seeking further guidance. A bully policy is in place and is enacted.

In addition the school counselor consults with teachers, staff and parents on issues;
such as behavior management, discipline, homework, stages of childhood development and time management. As a student advocate the counselor assists others to think through problems and develop skills that enable them to be more effective in working with students/children. Collaboration with the Principal, teachers, learning support teacher and parents in a team approach to problem-solving is an integral component of the counseling program.

Often the confidential nature of a case keeps a counselor from sharing information a teacher or parents may wish to know. The counselor will share as much as he/she is allowed. Sharing confidential information, even with other teachers or parents, is a serious offense.