GATOR COUNSELORS
Marcia Matheson works primarily with Kindergators and First Grade. She works Tuesdays and Thursdays. You can e-mail her at MathesonMH@staffordschools.net or call 658-6260.
Nancy Rueter works primarily with Second through Fifth Grade students. She works everyday. You can e-mail her at RueterNL@staffordschools.net or call 658-6260.
Both counselors are available for all students.
Guidance and Counseling Program
Classroom Guidance is taught monthly to all classes, Kindergarten through Grade 5 throughout the year. A description of lessons is provided in the Counselors’ Corner the first Monday of each month. This goes home with the Gator Gram. It can also be viewed in the Counselors’ Corner link to this website.
Small Group Counseling is offered on various topics with several highlighted each month in the Counselors’ Corner. A parent permission slip is included. Topics include:
Brave Gators (coping with fears) Gator Problem Solvers New Gators
Coping Gators (family illness) Peaceful Gators (anger) Gator Mediators
Organized Gators (study skills) Goodbye Gators (moving) Goal Setters
Cooperative Kids (social and Quiet Gators (shyness) Family Changes
emotional needs of gifted students) Talk It Out Helpers Coping Gators
Perfect Gators (accept mistakes) Super Gators (self-concept) Bully Free Gators
Sharing Gators (substance abuse) Sad Gators (death in family) Respectful Gators
Patriot Gators (parent deployed)
Individual Counseling may be requested by a parent for a child who needs to work on individual issues over a period of six weeks or longer. Students may refer themselves for single visits unless opted-out by their parents.
Parent Workshops are offered throughout the year. They are highlighted in the Gator Gram with a registration slip. Topics have included the following: 1-2-3- Magic, ADD/ADHD, Common Sense and Problem Solving, Getting Ready for Kindergarten, Helping Your Child Manage Anger, Sibling Rivalry, Time Management and others.
Counselors are Resources to teachers and parents on a variety of topics. For example, counselors help teachers with test-taking strategies and behavior management. They are available to meet with teachers and/or parents in conferences to find ways to help students.
The Parent Resource Library is composed of pamphlets, booklets, books, audiotapes, and videotapes regarding many parent concerns. These items are available for check out by parents. A counselor or office staff can direct you to the cabinet.
