Counselor's Page
Top Quality Stars Character Education Program
Find out about TQ Stars - what it is and how parents can help foster good character development in their kids.
Go to TQ Stars Page
Meet the Counselor
Andrea Gillespie
Hometown: Bethesda, Maryland
College: University of Virginia, University of Maryland
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Individual Counseling
One-on-one counseling support is available to all students in grades K to 5. This support is intended to address specific emotional, behavioral or social concerns that a particular child may have.
Small Group Counseling
Small group counseling provides support for K to 5 students with similar academic, social or personal concerns. Typically, the types of small groups that are most common focus on the following areas:
Coping with separation and divorce
Improving social interactions with peers
Improving classroom behavior
Encouraging cooperative play/ group activities
Encouraging positive views of self and others
Classroom Guidance Lessons
Classroom guidance lessons for kindergarten through fifth grade focus on a variety of issues commonly faced by elementary school aged children. Classrooms are presently visited on an alternating week schedule. The topics covered in classroom guidance lessons usually include:
Expressing feelings appropriately
Respect for self and others
Responsibility
Making and Keeping Friends
Bullying and teasing
Peer pressure
Cooperation/ teamwork
Guidance Advisory Committee (G.A.C.)
The Guidance Advisory Committee (G.A.C.) is made up of staff and parents. The G.A.C. meets monthly to coordinate parent education and school wide programs. In recent years the G.A.C. has sponsored programs such as: career afternoon, transition workshop, and Stand for Children Book Drive. Ashburton Parents interested in this volunteer opportunity should contact Ms. Gillespie, the school counselor.
Peer Mediation Program
Ashburton's peer mediation program is named "Peacemakers." At the start of the school year, 4th and 5th grade students who are interested in being a Peacemaker write a statement about why they would like to be in the Peacemaker program. Teacher input is considered as well. The students who are chosen to participate are trained to assist their peers with conflict resolution. Students are encouraged to seek the support of the Peacemakers when they have a problem with a friend or peer during recess.