Counselor's Corner
Abby Golden 

I am Ms. Abby Golden  the TPES School Counselor.  As the counselor my role is to be an advocate for the students.  It is my responsibility to plan the school-wide program to address social development, academic success, decision making and problem solving skills.  I work with the students, staff, parents, and community to help and encourage each student, not just the troubled or problem child, to reach success both socially and emotionally and academically. 

What is the Counseling Program?

  The counseling program supports and complements the efforts of the classroom teacher to facilitate each child’s learning.  It is designed to aid students in reaching their potential through classroom guidance, group and/or individual counseling, and parent and staff consultation.  The aim of the counseling program is to reach ALL the children and support their growth and learning opportunities.

  The counselor is:

                    -A listener

                    -A school person who helps all students do their best

                    -A resource person for teachers and parents

                    -A consultant with parents and teachers

                    -A member of the Educational Management Team

The counselor can help with referrals and obtaining services both inside and outside of the school.  The counselor provides guidance lessons in each classroom every other week, meets with those students that are referred by teachers, parents or staff either individually or in small groups, and encourages the children to listen, learn, and grow together as a unit. 

What is the Character Education Program at TPES?

At TPES we focus on three areas of character education – RESPONSIBILITY, CARING, and RESPECT.  From September through November Responsibility is our main focus.  In that regard classroom lessons focus following directions, Making good choices or decisions, and evaluating problems and brainstorming solutions.

For the months of December, January, and half of February, the focus is on the trait of CARING.

From the middle of February through the end of April the character trait of RESPECT receives our attention.

The months of May and June are for review of all character traits.

How are Students Acknowledged for Displaying the Specific Character Traits?

Outside of each classroom is a blue ocean.  Every staff member in the school is on the lookout for those children that display the character trait of that month.  When A child does show that he or she is Responsible, Caring, or Respectful, the adult will give that child a cut-out dolphin to put the child’s name on.  That dolphin will be displayed on the ocean outside of that child’s class.  The child will know what he or she did that earned the student the dolphin.  Blue dolphins are used for Responsibility.  Grey will be used for Caring and white dolphins will represent Respect. 

For further information about the counseling program at Takoma Park, please feel free to call:  Abby Golden, Counselor (301) 650-6414

School Information | Staff | PTA | Magnet Program | Grade Level Information
TPES Calendar| Media Center | MCPS| TPES Home

Last updated November, 2003