Welcome! My name is Stacey Patterson and this is my third year at Crabapple Lane Elementary as your School Counselor. If I have not had to pleasure to meet you, please allow me introduce myself to you. My family moved to Peachtree City three years ago. I am married with two beautiful daughters. Before coming to Crabapple Lane Elementary, I was the counselor at North Fayette Elementary. I came to the Fayette County School system after working in Douglas County for ten years. I have been a school counselor for seven years and was a teacher in grades first, second, and third for six years. My educational background includes an Educational Specialist in School Counseling. I have a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education. I am also certified in Special Education and Educational Leadership. Throughout my undergraduate and graduate career, I have continued to be a part of programs and organizations that promote the educational and emotional welfare of children.

            In continuing my efforts to promote positive programs for children, I would like to encourage you to dedicate some of your time to our students by participating in the Mentor Program. The mentoring program only requires you to make a one-year commitment and spend thirty-minutes a week with a student. To become a mentor, you must complete an application and background check. A mentor can improve academic and emotional success by: listening to a student, motivating a student, providing a positive role model, helping with an assignment, and reading with a student.

            There are also other opportunities for volunteering with fundraisers and community projects that C.A.R.E. sponsors. Throughout the year, we will have “Change for Children”, a food and clothing drive, and few other projects for needy families in our community. Please contact me if you wish to participate in any of these programs or fundraisers.

We also have a plethora of other programs at Crabapple Lane Elementary that assist in the development of children, such as RAINBOWS, Second Step, Steps to Respect, and our school-wide character education program by Film Clips. RAINBOWS is a support group for student who are experiencing grief, loss, or divorce. Second Step is our character education program for pre-kindergarten through third grade that is taught by our teachers. Second Step is a curriculum designed to reduce impulsive and aggressive behavior in children and to increase their level of social competence. It does this by teaching skills in empathy, impulse control, and anger management. Steps to Respect is our character education program for fourth and fifth grade. The primary goal of this bullying prevention program is to help create a safe, caring respectful learning environment in which bullying is not tolerated. As a part of the Steps to Respect program, students will learn new skills to help build friendships and deal with bullying. For example, they will learn how to make friends, join group activities, manage conflicts, and recognize, refuse, and report bullying, whether it happen to them or to someone else. Our school-wide character education curriculum by Film Clips is an exciting new approach to character education which reaches students through a medium for which they have a natural affinity: Hollywood movies. In this nine-part series, scenes from major motion pictures are used to help teachers and students engage in reflection and discussion about character and moral action. The scenes presented in this series correlate to “real life” experiences and draw students into a natural engagement with the subject. As a school, we will focus on one character trait per week. This program will be presented during morning announcements on our school broadcast. No inappropriate material is included in any of the individual film clips.

            The counseling program at Crabapple Lane Elementary is developmental in nature, preventive in design, and comprehensive in scope. As an integral part of the total educational program, my services ensure equality so that every student is challenged and supported to achieve success. My desire as a school counselor is to help our children reach their full potential by removing social, emotional, and academic barriers that impede their learning. I am here to help your child have the best school experience he/she can while at Crabapple Lane Elementary.  I look forward to meeting you and working with your children. If you have any questions about the guidance program or would like a confidential discussion regarding any issue concerning your child, I welcome the opportunity to discuss them with you.

What is the Elementary School Counseling and Guidance Program?

The elementary school counseling and guidance program is a part of the total school program and compliments learning in the classroom. It is child-centered, preventive, and developmental. The program encourages students' social, emotional, and personal growth at each stage of their development. The purpose of counseling with students, parents, and teachers is to help students maximize their potential and achieve academic success. The counseling and guidance program provides elementary students with assistance in:

·         Understanding the decision-making process.

·         Maintaining effective relationships with peers and adults.

·         Developing effective study skills.

·         Being prepared to make the transition to the next grade and middle school.

·         Gaining an understanding of the world of work.

How Does The Elementary School Counselor Work And What Are the Benefits For Students?

Students are seen individually and in small groups when requested and determined appropriate. It is short-term, voluntary, and confidential. Parental permission is obtained prior to small group work. Students are seen by the counselor when: parents request for them to see the counselor, and when teachers, administrators, or other school staff refer the student. Small group sessions focus on building self-esteem, learning how to make or keep friends, developing good study habits, improving communication skills, preparing for middle school, anger management, and coping with changing family situations. The school counselor helps students become motivated learners and encourages them to discuss concerns with their parents. When students work through their emotional issues, with the help of their parents and counselor, they are able to devote attention and energy to the intellectual tasks at school.

How Can This Program Help Me?

The entire community benefits from the elementary school counseling and guidance program because all students are served through classroom guidance programs. These lessons serve to introduce and/or strengthen the character qualities the parent encourages at home. Fayette county counselors follow a comprehensive, developmental counseling guidance curriculum that is based on the GA state mandated character education life skills.