From our Guidance Counselor
Lorianne Lewandowski
The Elementary Counseling Program at Wildwood has become a full time service for students, teachers and staff.
The program at Wildwood is the foundation for a district wide continuum of counseling services available K-12.
At the elementary level the objectives of the counseling program are as diverse as the needs of the elementary student. Objectives are structured to address the personal, social, transitional, educational/vocational, and familial needs of all students. This is accomplished through class instruction, individual and group sessions, remedial and crisis intervention. As well as assisting the student, the program also recognizes that teachers, parents and the community all play an integral role in meeting the needs of the whole child.
The approach to counseling at Wildwood is proactive rather than reactive. The counseling program as well as the emotional intelligence lessons students experience in class, help them to understand and express their emotions, recognize personal strengths, abilities and interests and develop confidence in their uniqueness.
Group counseling sessions are run in six week cycles during the year to meet specific needs in a small group setting. Groups typically are designed to deal with social needs, families in transition, understanding emotions, and developing a positive self image. There may also be groups formed as needed for other changes children may experience, such as being an expectant sibling, dealing with the illness or death of a loved one. Students can be referred to a group by a teacher or parent. Parental permission is requested for participation in groups. Individual counseling is offered to children requiring greater privacy, or that have a preference for one on one attention. The goal of school counseling is to provide short term assistance for students needing help in acquiring certain skills or providing support and direction through difficult transitions. Students requiring additional services will be referred by the counselor to local professionals (by way of a parent conference).
I am the Elementary Counselor at Wildwood. I am also co-advisor of Student Government, faculty advisor to the Giraffe Program, and assist with parent and teacher informational sessions throughout the school year. Please feel free to call me at Wildwood for further information on counseling services or to discuss the specific needs of your child.
Lorie Lewandowski, Elementary Counselor
973-334-3609
