Counseling and Mental Health Resources

The Role of a School Counselor

The school counselor is a certified educator with a pupil personnel services (PPS) credential in school counseling and is qualified to address the academic, career, and social/ emotional needs of all students. The role of a school counselor is to design and deliver a school counseling program that improves student outcomes for all students. We collaborate with teachers and parents on early identification and intervention of children’s academic and social/emotional needs, which is essential in removing barriers to learning and developing skills and behaviors critical for academic achievement. We offer students professional assistance and support one-on-one or in small groups during times of transition, heightened stress, critical change, or other situations impeding student success. The school counselor upholds the ethical and professional standards of the American School Counseling Association (ASCA).

Counseling Mission Statement

The mission of the Sage Oak School Counseling Program is to provide a comprehensive program that proactively seeks to improve our students’ well-being and advocates for their personalized growth and success. We will collaborate with parents/guardians, staff, and community members and treat every student with respect and dignity. We will empower students to become the best version of themselves by teaching social-emotional learning, providing academic support, and helping students become college and career ready. 

Virtual Counseling Classroom

CLICK HERE TO ENTER OUR VIRTUAL CLASSROOM

Social-Emotional Learning

Just like students need to learn to read and write, they also need to be taught social skills and emotional wellness. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) improves personal and academic performance and reduces emotional stress and problem behaviors. These skills are a foundational piece for kids to succeed in school, careers, and life. The lessons below focus on these imperative skills. 

Additionally, students in grades TK-12 can attend our live weekly SEL lessons. More information about these school counseling resources can be found in the Sage News or you can get more information by completing our interest form. 

Group & Individual Counseling Options

Counseling groups are offered throughout the school year. Groups, based on grade level bands, and filled on a first-come, first-serve basis and are capped at 8 students. Here is a master list of groups and topics. Sign-ups are shared in the Sage News. Individual counseling is available for students identified by their teacher and/or parent referral. School counseling is short-term, solution-focused counseling aimed to provide students with strategies and ideas to help improve their social-emotional health. The school counselor practices confidentiality when working with students and everything discussed is confidential unless a student discloses that they are/ plan to hurt themselves, others, or someone is hurting them. 

If you have any questions about our counseling groups or need support for your student, please complete the Counselor Help Form, and you will hear from our counselor within 24 hours.

Spring 2022 Counseling Class (Grades K-6)

Executive Functioning (Grades 3-6)

Executive functioning skills are the basis for planning, organizing, initiating, and following through on all tasks, assignments, and problems inside and outside school. Unfortunately, many students who forget assignments, are disorganized, can’t complete long-term projects, have trouble focusing, and experience difficulty with change, often have weak executive functioning skills. 

Executive functioning skills targeted in this class include planning, organization, time management, task initiation, working memory, metacognition, self-control, sustained attention, flexibility, and perseverance. This class serves as a basic introduction to each of these skills. Click here to sign up. 

Donut Stress the Test (Grades 3-12)

In this class, we will teach students test-taking skills and strategies to cope with test anxiety and give them the confidence they need to succeed. We will help students create an action plan or steps that they can follow to complete MISSION: CAASPP Test-Taking Success. Missions will help students recognize and learn about their worries, explore the symptoms, learn about the components of the CAASPP test, and how to manage their anxiety before and during a test. We want to help students shift their testing mindset from being something scary to a mission they can feel prepared to complete successfully. Click here to sign up.

Spring 2022 Counseling Class (Grades 7-12)

Time to Relax (Grades 7-12)

Stress is a normal part of life.  We have good and bad stress and sometimes we need to learn positive coping skills and stress management techniques.  During this small group we will learn how to be more Self-Aware of our thoughts and feelings and how to relax and breathe during times when we feel out of balance.  We will learn about a growth mindset and getting unstuck when life is challenging.  This class will not be stressful! 

Please note that 7-8 and 9-12 will meet separately.

Mental Health Support

At Sage Oak, we are passionate and dedicated to working with parents to provide a personalized, educational experience for students that don’t just address their academic development, but also their personal development. Just as important as our physical health, our mental health affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. The resources below are either free or can be purchased using instructional funds. 

Coping Strategies 

When the kids in our life struggle, we often wonder how to best help them. Just as our children learn in different ways, they also cope in different ways. There is not a “one size fits all'' approach to coping. Below are some different ideas you can explore to help your child find practical ways to cope with stress, anxiety, and anger. 

Additional Mental Health Support & Resources: 

Is It a Phase, or Does My Child Need Help? It’s a question many parents ask themselves. We want to ensure you have the right resources to meet your children’s needs. These resources are for families interested in seeking additional guidance on navigating behavioral and mental healthcare treatment.

Suicide Prevention

While suicide is the second leading cause of death among school-aged youth, it is also preventable! It’s very important to take all concerns seriously and share empathy and concern. If you or a loved one are showing signs of suicidal behavior: giving away belongings, writing goodbye notes, or making plans on how to end their life, please get immediate professional support by calling 9-1-1, National Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or texting HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. Again, youth suicide is preventable, and we want to play an important part in this role! If you have additional questions about youth suicide or need additional support, please reach out to your Sage Oak teacher or complete our School Counseling Help Request Form. 

COVID-19 Resources

The impact of COVID-19 on our students and community has been challenging for many, and we want to do our best to support you. 

Ukraine Crisis

With social media and online news, it’s challenging to shield kids from the news of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Some students may be concerned and want to talk about what they’ve read, seen, or share how they are feeling. They may need guidance on navigating their emotions and getting their questions answered. We’d like to share some resources to help you facilitate this conversation. The Choices Program from Brown University —The Ukraine Crisis provides information, resources, and lessons to engage students in a comprehensive analysis of the lead-up to the Russian invasion. Additionally, AllSides presents the latest current events from multiple perspectives from news sources. Last, Common Sense Media provides tips on talking to kids of different ages about tough topics, and the American Psychological Association has some great tips for elementary students and teens about building resilience. 

Students can't learn if they don't feel safe—your School Counselor. Ms. Allie is also here to help your students cope with their fears and anxiety. Please complete our Counselor Request Form, and we will reach out to you promptly. 

LGBTQ+ Resources