Counseling Corner

The mission of the Columbus Elementary School Counseling Department is to support students in grades 3-5 with their social and emotional development. The school counselor and psychologist collaborate with other educators, parents/guardians, and community contacts to ensure that all students have opportunities to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to meet their highest potential, become independent problem solvers, lifelong learners, and responsible, contributing citizens in our society.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do School Psychologists do?

School psychologists are uniquely qualified members of school teams that support students' ability to learn and teachers' ability to teach. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. School psychologists partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school,
and the community.
School psychologists receive specialized advanced graduate preparation that includes coursework and practical experiences relevant to both psychology and education.

Why Do Children Need School Psychologists?

All children and youth can face problems from time to time related to learning; social relationships; making difficult decisions; or managing emotions such as feeling depressed, anxious, worried, or isolated. School psychologists help students, families, educators, and members of the community understand and resolve both long-term, chronic problems and short-term issues that students may face. They are a highly skilled and ready resource in the effort to ensure that all children and youth thrive in school, at home, and in life.

What is the role of an Elementary School Counselor?

Elementary school counselors are professional educators with a mental health perspective who understand and respond to the challenges presented by today's diverse student population by providing social emotional support and building skills that help remove barriers impeding success. An elementary school counseling program develops the whole child by teaching skills that focus on competencies such as self awareness, self-management, social awareness and social management at a pivotal time in their development. The skills a school counselor teaches help develop character and enable children to become well adjusted and productive members of society. The elementary school counselor will provide group instruction to the student body as a whole, as well as individual and group counseling for students with specific needs. Additionally, the elementary counselor works collaboratively with teachers, parents, and administrators to create plans to help children succeed and is also a provider of resources for any parent/guardian who wishes to further address their child’s social and emotional well-being.

Contact Us

Connie Cotrone
School Counselor
ccotrone@mtplcsd.org
914-769-8538, ext. 3864

Ilana Cohen
School Psychologist
icohen@mtplcsd.org
914-769-8538, ext. 3640

Community Resource guide

STARS

One of the goals of the elementary counseling program is to teach skills that help children become responsible and positive role models in their community. Columbus emphasizes the importance of being STARS (Students That Are Responsible, Respectful and Safe) through established behavior expectations that align with our Profile of a Learner. Students are recognized when they demonstrate responsible, respectful and safe behaviors in their classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, playground and on the bus. If students are caught being STARS, they will receive a STARS ticket to keep that indicates which quality of a learner they demonstrated. Students also receive a reward, are recognized in Mr. Hanlon’s Columbus Connections, on the PA announcements and receive a STAR on the Columbus Wall of Fame. Students attend an assembly to learn about STAR behavior expectations and posters are hung as visual reminders throughout the school. Students take great pride in being STARS at Columbus.

STARS Posters

Character Education

Character education lessons at Columbus are taught on a Tier 1 level and foster a culture of care and wellness. Lessons are developed to help students acquire attributes our district has identified as integral components to successful learning. These qualities include being problem solvers, communicators, critical thinkers, collaborators, resilient, reflective, open minded, responsible and empathetic. At Columbus, Character Themes of the Month reinforce these qualities and are tied into character education lessons, which enable students to dive deeper into skill development that nurtures self awareness, self management and reflects upon their ability to problem solve, work well with others and make responsible decisions. Character themes are also reinforced through PA announcements, monthly bulletin boards and building wide activities.

Peer Buddies

Peer Buddies is a program for selected 5th grade students who exemplify leadership skills, self awareness and social awareness. The peer buddy program connects to character education and focuses on responsible decision making, relationship skills, open mindedness & empathy. The school counselor and psychologist train peer buddies to work with other students on activities that foster kindness, empathy, and social connectedness.

Ben's Bells

Fostering a climate of kindness is a priority and emphasized regularly at Columbus with the implementation of Ben’s Bells. Ben’s Bells is a national program that highlights the positive impacts of intentional kindness and inspires people to practice kindness as a way of life. Students and staff are encouraged to nominate people who have shown genuine acts of kindness that have greatly impacted them. Each month a staff member and one student from each grade level are chosen among the nominations for having demonstrated significant acts of kindness.

2nd to 3rd Grade

The transition program from 2nd to 3rd grade is a collaborative effort between administration, support staff, and 2nd and 3rd grade teachers at both Hawthorne and Columbus Elementary Schools. The elementary counselor plays an integral role in planning several activities to help students prepare for the next step in their education, as outlined below.

Ongoing

Discussions regarding behavior expectations for 3rd grade students are ongoing. STAR student behavior is presented as an opportunity for students to be 2nd grade role models and leaders for our younger students at HES.

June

2nd Grade Visit to CES - Building Tour with Classroom Visit and opportunities to interact with staff and 3rd grade students.
Incoming 3rd Grade Parent Orientation in the evening at CES.
Psychologists and counselors from HES and CES meet to discuss the needs of incoming students.

August

Meet & Greet BBQ - opportunity for students to meet socially at CES and spend time with classmates and the teacher prior to school opening.

September

STAR student assemblies are held with all 3rd grade classes to discuss changes from HES to CES regarding responsible, respectful and safe behavior. Discussion of the elementary counselor role and the character education program is provided to help students understand the character themes and kindness initiatives they can expect throughout the year.

5th to 6th Grade

The transition program from 5th to 6th grade is a collaborative effort among the administration, support staff, the Family & Consumer Science Teacher, and 5th and 6th grade classroom teachers at both Columbus Elementary School and Westlake Middle School. Counselors in both schools play an integral role in the planning of several activities to help students prepare for the next step in their education, as outlined below.

February/March

6th grade Music course selection forms (Band/Chorus) are sent to parents.

April/May

Discussions about 6th-grade expectations begin in FACS/Home & Careers, including the importance of completing homework.

May

5th grade teachers ask classes to prepare questions in preparation for a Q&A Panel during the visit to WMS.
A transition slideshow is presented to 5th graders during FACS/Home & Careers, comparing and contrasting elementary and middle school.
Incoming 6th grade Parent Orientation in the evening at WMS with administrators and 6th grade teachers and staff.
CSE and 504 annual review meetings of 5th graders include middle school counselors.

June

5th grade visit to WMS - Building Tour, Classroom Lesson/Visit, and Student Panel Discussion.
Support staff from CES and WMS meet to discuss students' needs.
5th grade teachers meet with psychologists to discuss any special education needs.