Welcome to the Seaford Elementary School Counseling Page

Meet Your School Counselor

Mrs. Downs

Hello!  My name is Mrs. Downs, and I love working with the wonderful students and families at Seaford Elementary School.  I received my Master's in School Counseling at Old Dominion University in 2009 and have 12 years of experience as a School Counselor. I strive to support students' academic, social and emotional needs. Please feel free to contact me at sdowns@ycsd.york.va.us.

Services Offered:

• Individual Counseling:  Students can be referred by self, parents or teachers
• Small Group Counseling: Social Skills, Deployment, Family Changes, Anxiety/Worries, Etc.
• Classroom Lessons: Feelings, Bullying Prevention, Diversity, Career Exploration, Mindfulness, Goal Setting
• Consultation:  with teachers or parents
• Peer Mediation
• Gifted Contact
• Family Life Education Lessons

The counselor helps parents to ...

* promote positive home/school relationships

*understand the school program

* recognize the stages of child growth and development

* understand their child's progress in school

* accept students' abilities and limitations

* identify learning problems, concerns and possible solutions

* obtain information about results of tests

* plan for referrals to outside agencies/outside professional help

The counselor helps teachers and other school personnel to ...

* provide a positive learning environment

* understand and meet students' individual needs

* determine/coordinate if special student assistance is needed

* plan and present classroom lessons as an integral part of the school system curriculum

* share ideas at workshops/in-service programs

The counselor helps students to ...

* achieve more in school

* understand the programs, staff, services and activities in the school

* understand their abilities, interests and limitations

* apply problem solving decision making skills to resolve problems that get in the way of learning

* learn and apply effective study habits

* understand and accept themselves

* become more independent and responsible for their behavior

* improve skills for interacting and communicating with others

* adjust to a new school

* recognize the relationship of education to the world or work

Ask a Counselor .....

When you need to discuss:

* attitudes toward school

* academic growth

* personal and emotional development

* relationships with teachers

* relationships with other students

* relationships with siblings

* changes in family circumstances

* available community resources