Welcome Back for the 2017-18School Year!
Hello, my name is Christy Trujillo and I am delighted to introduce myself as the school counselor for West Park Elementary School. This year will be my twelfth school year counseling in the Lake County School District and my seventh school year as an Elementary School Counselor, which is my passion. Along with my joy of working with your children, my heart belongs to my children, ages six, three, and one due in November. I am a Lake County high school graduate. In 2004, I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Northern Colorado. I earned my Masters in school counseling from the University of Phoenix in 2007.
In addition to myself, we also have staff who also provide social/emotional and counseling support.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to spend my weekdays with your child. Together, I believe that we can make the 2017-18 school year one filled with success and accomplishments!
Mrs. Christy Trujillo
Christy L. Trujillo, MSC/SC
West Park Elementary School
(719) 486-6892
email at crtrujillo@lakecountyschools.net
Why Elementary School Counselors?
“Elementary school years set the tone for developing the knowledge, attitudes and skill necessary for children to become healthy, competent and confident learners. Through a comprehensive developmental school counseling program, counselors work as a team with the school staff, parents and the community to create a caring climate and atmosphere. By providing education, prevention, early identification and intervention, school counselors can help all children achieve academic success.”
(Adapted from the American School Counselor Association)
West Park Elementary School’s Counseling Program Beliefs:
The school counselor, Mrs. Christy Trujillo believes that:
- All Students can achieve and be successful.
- All Students have the right to participate in and are considered in planning and implementing the school counseling program.
- The school counselor is a leader who collaborates & coordinates opportunities for growth academically, socially, and emotionally in every student, which in turn prepares them for future success.
- The Counselor will participate in professional development activities in order to maintain a quality school counseling program.
- The school counselor, administration, staff, parents, and community all play an integral part in the planning, managing, delivery and evaluation of the school counseling program.
- As part of a comprehensive school counseling program, data and research based programs are consistently used to guide program goals and the methods to achieve those goals. Prevention is a focus at the elementary level.
- The school counselor will apply the ASCA ethical standards for school counselors in the ongoing efforts to provide a world-class, comprehensive school counseling program.
Mission of the school counseling program at West Park elementary School:
The mission of West Park Elementary School’s Counseling Program is to provide a comprehensive school counseling program that focuses on students’ academic, personal/social and career domains. Using data and evidence-based programs, the counselor will work collaboratively with staff, parents and the community to help students develop strong character and achieve academic success.
What is the role of the school counselor?
A school counselor’s job is never done and services change on a daily basis depending on need. The elementary counselor’s focus is in 3 domains of academic/educational, career, and social emotional. The focus of the elementary counselor is preventative and teaches children skills that are needed throughout life. Some of the basic services offered through the counseling program are:
Classroom Lessons:
Classroom lessons offer an opportunity to provide support to the largest number of students in the school. I will deliver lessons that are developmentally appropriate for students in kindergarten through fourth grades. Lessons are designed to build students’ personal/social, academic, and career development. We may discuss topics such as understanding self and others, Coping strategies, Peer relationships, Problem solving, Feelings, Academic Success, Goal Setting, Career awareness, conflict resolution, to name a few. Classroom lessons provide students the opportunity to learn about themselves and others by developing personal and interpersonal skills.
Individual Counseling:
Individual counseling is provided for students who are experiencing issues that are causing them distress. As a counselor, I use many different techniques to work with students in individual sessions. In individual sessions with students, students may draw, write, play, or just talk. I encourage students to do whatever they need to do, in order to process and benefit from individual counseling. The main goal of individual counseling is to provide students with extra support and to teach them skills to handle situations that they will face throughout life.
I am available for all students and have an open door policy. I meet with students both on a responsive and scheduled basis. Students can be referred by parents, guardians, teachers and administration, or they can self-refer. Confidentiality is respected.
Group Counseling:
Group Counseling is provided for small groups of students experiencing similar needs. Group counseling allows students the opportunity to develop social skills and learn from others. Participating in group helps students build relationships and feel that they are not alone in their experiences. During group sessions, students will become involved in fun activities such as playing games, crafts, role-playing, reading books, and group discussions.
Groups are offered throughout the year based on the needs of the students. Some common group topics may include anger management, friendships, social skills, family stresses, divorce, grief, stress, self-esteem, succeeding in school, to name a few. In order to participate in a group, the student must have a permission slip signed by a parent/guardian.
Other services:
- Academic Planning
- System Support
- Consultation
- Collaborate with School Faculty, Staff, and Community Agencies
- Serve as a Resource for Parents and Teachers
- Positive Behavior Supports and Intervention coach.
- Coordinate all preventative programming such as Red Ribbon Week, Mix it Up Day, No Name Calling Week, and all school events such as these.
Referral Forms:
Please check back for updated links to my referral forms.
Links:
- Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports ~ PBIS
~ The mission of the Colorado Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Initiative is to establish and maintain effective school environments that maximize academic achievement and behavioral competence of all learners in Colorado.
Please check back for an updated link for PBIS.
“Feelings are everywhere. Be gentle.” ~J. Masai
Christy Trujillo, MSC/SC
West Park Elementary School
(719) 486-6892
email at crtrujillo@lakecountyschools.net
