Welcome!
Jessica Gordon, M.Ed.
Arrowhead Elementary School Counselor
610.489.5000 ext: 44206
[email protected]
Hello! I’m Jessica Gordon and this is my first year at Arrowhead Elementary School! I obtained my Master’s degree and certification in School Counseling K-12 from West Chester University. I also earned my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Temple University. Last year, I was the school counselor substitute at Eagleville Elementary School. I am honored and excited to be able to support the students and families in this amazing school community!
Students often refer to me as the "feelings teacher " because I talk with them about their feelings. I meet with students to discuss making friends and getting along with others, making good choices, family changes and/or loss, acting responsibly, handling conflict, controlling anger, recognizing personal strengths and areas of growth, and many other topics!
Students can make an appointment to come see me if they would like to talk about their feelings or whatever is on their mind. In each classroom there is a container with self-referral forms. Students can fill out a form and drop it off in my mailbox (which is on my office door).
I enjoy having lunch with students. Students can sign up to have lunch in my office by simply writing me a note. Students are encouraged to invite a few friends from their grade. During lunch we socialize and practice using good manners!
I support parents, too! If you have any concerns regarding your child, or if your family is experiencing something out of the ordinary, I welcome the opportunity to speak with you. Please feel free to contact me. The best way to ensure your child's academic and personal success is through communication and teamwork!
Mission Statement
The Methacton School District Counseling Program
maximizes student potential in academic, career,
personal and social development. The program
encourages student success through collaboration
with families, staff, and community."
Belief Statement
I believe:
Students have the right to be respected and treated with dignity.
All students can achieve and should be given the opportunity to reach their highest potential.
Students learn best in a safe, supportive and encouraging environment.
Students need to be exposed to opportunities for growth in academic, career and personal/social areas through a data driven school counseling program.
Students deserve to be in an academic environment that acknowledges and supports individual learning styles and differences.
The school counseling program serves every student through advocacy, leadership and education.
The school counseling program is an integral link between students, families, school and community that cultivates student responsibility and academic achievement.
The school counselor has a professional responsibility to abide by the Ethical Standards of the American School Counselor Association and to seek ongoing professional development.
Students have the right to be respected and treated with dignity.
All students can achieve and should be given the opportunity to reach their highest potential.
Students learn best in a safe, supportive and encouraging environment.
Students need to be exposed to opportunities for growth in academic, career and personal/social areas through a data driven school counseling program.
Students deserve to be in an academic environment that acknowledges and supports individual learning styles and differences.
The school counseling program serves every student through advocacy, leadership and education.
The school counseling program is an integral link between students, families, school and community that cultivates student responsibility and academic achievement.
The school counselor has a professional responsibility to abide by the Ethical Standards of the American School Counselor Association and to seek ongoing professional development.
Individual Counseling |
Small Group Counseling |
Students can meet with their school counselor by self-referral, counselor referral, or teacher or parent request. During individual meetings the school counselor can help children understand and accept themselves, cope with family changes and/or family crises, and develop decision making skills, conflict resolution skills, anger management techniques, and problem solving strategies. The following are just a few examples of the situations in which school counselors can help students:
Bully PreventionBully Prevention in School-Wide Positive Behavior Support is a prevention focused alternative to student support that blends socially valuable outcomes, research based procedures, behavioral science, and a systems approach to reduce problem behavior and improve school climate. Bully Prevention in School-Wide Positive Behavior Support helps establish a school-wide social culture where positive behavior is “expected” and rewards for bullying are NOT provided. The school counselors, along with classroom teachers at every elementary school, teach a series of lessons in each class presenting Bully Prevention in School-Wide Positive Behavior Support. As part of Bully Prevention in School-Wide Positive Behavior Support, students will learn the school rules: Be Safe Be Respectful Be Responsible Expectations for following these rules are explained and discussed. Students will also be introduced to the STOP, WALK, TALK strategies. During lessons students will participate in role-play scenarios to practice these strategies. Students will learn to use STOP, WALK, TALK strategies to respond to inappropriate remarks, gossip, cyber bullying and other forms of unsafe, disrespectful or bullying behavior. The role of the bystander is also highlighted. EMPATHY You may have heard your child mention, “Em-bee-thy.” Em-bee-thy is a bee that teaches students about EMPATHY. Students learn that EMPATHY is … Seeing with the eyes of another. Listening with the ears of another. Feeling with the heart of another. Empathy is putting yourself in the shoes of another and imagining how that person feels. This year, with the school consolidaiton, we are having a special focus on The Power of WE, to bring new and returning students together, as fellow students/schoolmates and the "Arrowhead Family"! Ask your child about the above concepts. Your child’s personal and social growth can be enhanced through communication and the partnership of home and school. Have a great school year! |
I offer small group counseling sessions throughout the year for students in kindergarten through fourth grades. The small group experience is an enjoyable way for students to benefit from personal growth as well as to gain support from peers with similar needs. Groups are typically arranged through parent and teacher referrals. The small groups usually meet for a six week session. Groups are created as needed according to varying topics. Small groups may focus on confidence building, anger management, changing families/divorce, friendship, social skills or school success skills. All kindergartners participate in "Kinders with Confidence" groups.
Counseling Core Curriculum A core curriculum based on the American School Counselor Association Standards is provided for all students
Kindergarten Respect Yourself and Others Students are introduced to several puppet friends who help them learn about making new friends, expressing feelings, appreciating differences, and handling conflict. In addition, kindergarten students learn about personal safety. First Grade Making S'More Friends, A Camping Adventure In first grade there is an emphasis on making and keeping friends. Children go on camping adventures in their classroom! Sitting around the "campfire," the students learn to appreciate differences, express their feelings to friends, and solve friendship problems. Second Grade Friends Forever Developmental lessons begin by focusing on embracing all kinds of friends. Skills and strategies are taught to help with initiating friendships and resolving conflicts. Personal safety is also revisited. Third Grade We Are the Same and Different The third grade curriculum is designed to allow students to understand and experience human diversity. Throughout the lessons children learn the value of difference and individuality in culture. Concepts of race and ethnicity are introduced and explored. The third grade lessons also incorporate a culminating experiential activity developed to increase understanding through application and participation. Fourth Grade I Can Handle It! Students in fourth grade work with the school counselor to understand and identify stress in their lives. Students discuss the effects of stress, as well as stress management techniques. The concept of multiple intelligences will also be introduced with a focus on career awareness. Counselors will work with students as they transition to Skyview Upper Elementary School. Parent InformationParent Resource Library
Parenting resources are available! Feel free to borrow children's books to help you discuss sensitive issues (such as separation, divorce, death, etc) with your child. Resources for parents are also available. Family Workshop Please watch for information and flyers about our family workshop, Homework Without Headaches! Referrals Referral information about community agencies and services is available for families. Please call me and I will be happy to help you. Need a computer? Low cost computers are available from http://www.teamchildren.org/. * Please see page titled, "Parents" for additional online resources* |
Career Awareness New Student Orientation
Career Awareness Begins in Elementary School!
Did you know that your child has a carer portfolio? Each year a new career page is added. Students will have opportunities to review their career portfolio with the counselor as they look to their future. |
New Student Orientation is held in August prior to the first day of school. New families are notified of this date. Families are invited to attend the orientation to learn about the school, meet the staff, and to take a tour of our school. In September, all new students are invited to meet with the school counselor and the other new students in their grade level for a New Student Meeting. During this meeting the students participate in “Getting to Know Our New Friends” activities. This is a great opportunity for the children to meet other new students in a small group setting and to realize that they aren’t alone in their transition. I look forward to meeting and welcoming ALL new students and assisting in making their transition to a new school as smooth as possible.
|
Activities and Programs
(The following are a few highlights...)
"Proud to Be Me" Week
This idea was created in 2010 in of honor Katie Goldman, a 7 year old from Illinois, who was teased for her interest in science fiction, Star Wars and fantasy. The teasing became so intense that Katie wanted to conform to others’ interests just so the teasing would stop. Katie’s mom began blogging to ask for help to deal with her daughter’s dilemma. Thousands of responses came in to aid Katie’s mom and support Katie’s individuality. Since then, Katie’s school has held a Proud to Be Me Day to foster expression of unique abilities and interests. Likewise, Methacton School District counselors feel strongly about encouraging differences and celebrating uniqueness and will dedicate a week to celebrating this theme with special dress-up days and activities to promote diversity and acceptance.
Lunch Bunch
Students can sign up to have lunch in the counseling office by simply writing a note or notifying the counselor. Students are permitted to invite a few classmates. Lunch bunches are an informal way for students to get to know classmates, initiate conversation with friends, and practice socializing and using good manners!
Safety Rangers
Second grade students are invited to participate in Safety Rangers! Safety Rangers is an after school safety awareness program, sponsored by Victim Services of Montgomery County. Safety Rangers will be coming to Arrowhead this winter! Be on the look out for registration information!
"Proud to Be Me" Week
This idea was created in 2010 in of honor Katie Goldman, a 7 year old from Illinois, who was teased for her interest in science fiction, Star Wars and fantasy. The teasing became so intense that Katie wanted to conform to others’ interests just so the teasing would stop. Katie’s mom began blogging to ask for help to deal with her daughter’s dilemma. Thousands of responses came in to aid Katie’s mom and support Katie’s individuality. Since then, Katie’s school has held a Proud to Be Me Day to foster expression of unique abilities and interests. Likewise, Methacton School District counselors feel strongly about encouraging differences and celebrating uniqueness and will dedicate a week to celebrating this theme with special dress-up days and activities to promote diversity and acceptance.
Lunch Bunch
Students can sign up to have lunch in the counseling office by simply writing a note or notifying the counselor. Students are permitted to invite a few classmates. Lunch bunches are an informal way for students to get to know classmates, initiate conversation with friends, and practice socializing and using good manners!
Safety Rangers
Second grade students are invited to participate in Safety Rangers! Safety Rangers is an after school safety awareness program, sponsored by Victim Services of Montgomery County. Safety Rangers will be coming to Arrowhead this winter! Be on the look out for registration information!