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Genesee Hill Elementary School/Resources/School Counseling Program

School Counseling Program

Genesee Hill School Counseling Program

Counseling Programs for Genesee Hill Students

  • Friendship Friday- if your student could benefit from fostering or strengthening friendships, they are invited to join me in the counseling room during the recess before lunchtime. Peers play board games, use fidgets, and color in a welcoming space. I monitor interactions to encourage certain behaviors and redirect to make sure all involved feel safe and included. Let them know this is available to them!
  • Monthly Classroom Lessons- February lessons are on Self-Awareness
  • Targeted Classroom Lessons- Teacher requested lessons on topics like neurodiversity, managing emotional reactions, organization skills, accepting and celebrating difference, etc.
  • Group Counseling- Friendship groups for K, 1st, 4th, 5th. Black Student Affinity Group coming soon.
  • Let’s Talk– Students fill out forms to meet with the counselor for 1-1 problem solving and support
  • Individual strengths-based solution focused school counseling sessions (6-8 sessions, waitlist)
  • Restorative Peer Mediation– Support respectful communication and problem solving among peer groups

School Counseling Mission and Vision

Mission Statement
The mission of our comprehensive school counseling department is to provide proactive, developmentally appropriate, and culturally relevant counseling interventions in a supportive and warm environment. The program champions student wellness and success in the domains of social/emotional, academic, and college and career. This is directly delivered to students through small groups, classroom lessons, school-wide initiatives, check ins, and brief solution-focused individual counseling. Students are also served indirectly by the family-school-community partnership in the form of referrals, collaboration, and consultation.

Vision
All Genesee Hill Elementary students know they are capable learners with unique talents, interests, and values that adds value to our community. Every student is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be socially and emotionally aware, academically successful, and college and career aware.

Meet the Counselor

Hi there! My name is Allie McDonald and I am Genesee Hill’s school counselor.

I was born and raised in Southern Utah just outside of Zion National Park. While I loved the sun and red rocks, I yearned for rich cultural experiences, a great education, and a thriving city (Seattle!).

Luckily for me, I had an amazing school counselor who supported me in exploring college and scholarship options. She also helped me navigate difficult life experiences with kindness and empathy that inspires the counselor I strive to be every day (shoutout to Mrs. Ovard!).

I am a University of Washington alumna and received my graduate degree in counseling at the University of Colorado. I am passionate about helping students tap into their unique strengths, knowledge, and past successes to problem solve and feel positive about themselves and their future. I truly feel like I have the best job in the world!

In my spare time, I enjoy film photography, reading, cooking, nature walks, and spending time with loved ones. A personal goal of mine is to learn how to make good kimchi and injera, fermentation is so cool! I also love engaging in conversations about culture and sharing my Japanese heritage with my community.

Please know that you and your student’s voice and culture are an invaluable part of building this program. I welcome any and all feedback or suggestions to improve the multicultural competency of myself and this program in service of our students.

Stress Relief and Coping Skills

Caregiver Info

Online Books and Book Lists

Social Emotional and Academic Apps

Tutoring

Services

If you would like access to Genesee Hill’s Food Pantry, please stop by the front office and Stacy will assist you. We have shelf-stable snacks and meals.

If you would like assistance with clothing, toiletries, school supplies, or other needs, please fill out this form!

Your information is confidential and will only be known to counselor and admin. If you would like help exploring outside counseling services or any specific services, please email me at aemcdonald@seattleschools.org.

Crisis

24-hr Suicide Lifeline: 800-273-8255 

24-hr Crisis Chat

24-hr Crisis Line: Text ‘HOME’ to 741741  

Trevor Project—LGBTQ: 866-488-7386 

Trevor Project Chat 

Trevor Project Text: Text ‘START’ to 678678

Trans Lifeline:877-565-8860

How to Contact/Refer

I’d love to meet you! To schedule a call, Microsoft Teams Video, or connect further, email me at aemcdonald@seattleschools.org

To refer your student for individual counseling or group counseling, use this form: Individual Counseling Form

Family Involvement

If you would like to join the PTA at no charge, fill out this waiver

If you would like to donate to Genesee Hill’s food pantry, please leave items with front office. We accept shelf stable foods. Snacks and quick shelf-stable meals are a need right now (fruit cups, mac and cheese, rice pouches, beef jerky sticks, breakfast bars, etc.).

I will host a social emotional family night in the coming months! Check back here or in the Thursday Bulletin to sign up.

Common Questions

How does my child receive the counseling programming?

  • All students are able to request check-ins if they need support or skills around social/emotional struggles. These are not school counseling sessions. They are aimed at providing a quick support (teaching coping skills, conflict resolution skills, validate big feelings, etc.) to help a student feel successful and comfortable at school. Family and teachers also request check-ins for students. If concerns arise, I will reach out.
  • Classroom counseling lessons are provided at the discretion of your student’s teacher. The topics this year include: conflict resolution, friendship, executive functioning, self-awareness, social-awareness, identify, express and cope with big feelings, equity and inclusion, growth mindset, career exploration, coping with change. Please contact us if you are concerned about your student’s participation.
  • Group counseling is offered to students who could use extra support and community. These are 8 sessions and the topics change based on grade-level needs. Students are referred by themselves, staff, and family. I will contact you and get a signed informed consent form before meeting with a student for group.
  • Individual counseling is 6-8 sessions of strengths-based solution focused school counseling based on the student and families goals. These are typically in response to sudden or concerning changes in attendance, behavior, social skills, personal problems, or family crisis. Students are referred by themselves, staff, and family. I will contact you and get a signed informed consent form before meeting with a student for individual counseling.

How does confidentiality work in school counseling?

What students and families discuss with me will be kept confidential unless there is concern for harm to student self or harm to others, the student is in danger, or the student/family gives me permission to share with relevant staff or outside providers. If there is potential harm to your student, I will always contact you and create a safety plan.