Brighton Park Counseling Department
Vision Statement:
The vision of the Brighton Park Elementary School Counseling Program is to empower ALL students with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve academic, personal/social, and career success, and to reach their fullest potential as respectful, and responsible citizens.  

Mission Statement:
The mission of the Brighton Park Elementary School Counseling Program is to decrease barriers to academic achievement through student advocacy and to promote student success by engaging students in meaningful learning experiences that help them develop their academics, personal/social, and career development.  

Counseling Services:
Individual Counseling
Assistance provided to some students who may need help to overcome social and/or personal problems that interfere with learning.
Group counseling
A support group for students who share a common concern.  Parent permission is required to participate. 
 
Some of the more common issues taken up in counseling include: building self-esteem, improving peer relations, improving communication skills, making better choices, becoming a better student, coping with change, dealing with stress, coping with separation and divorce, dealing with loss, coping with crisis, and anger management.

Classroom Guidance
Assistance provided to all students to succeed and interact with their peers.  These lessons are taught in the classroom several times a year.
 
Classroom Guidance Topics

• Bullying
• Anger/ I-Statements
• Conflict Management
• Self-Esteem
• Citizenship
• Character
• Empathy/Feelings
• Stress Management
• Career Planning

Student Advocacy
Tasks to create an environment that encourages high achievement for all students.  

Collaboration
Activities to connect parents and families with resources in the community and consultation with parents and other staff to help meet the needs of students at home and in the classroom.
 
How can a student see the counselor?
Student self-referral
Staff referral
Parent referral

Confidentiality
The rules of confidentiality for counselors are very different from those of teachers. Confidentiality is important to maintain a trusting relationship with students.  Students are told that what they tell Ms. Fernandez is “private” unless someone is in danger. Only then will Ms. Fernandez tell someone to make sure they are safe and healthy. Information is never disclosed to other staff members, parents, or students unless permission is granted. If a student discloses information deemed crucial to a child's safety or well-being, the student is informed that his/her parents must be notified. 
 
Ms. Nancy Fernandez
Email: [email protected]
(773) 535-7237