Welcome to Mrs. Thompson's Webpage   

School Counselor at Bellefonte Elementary School

Email address: sthompso@basd.net

Telephone: 355-5519 ext. 2105

What is an elementary school counselor?

I work with students to help them develop academically, personally and socially through developmental guidance lessons, individual and group counseling.  I help children understand themselves and others by teaching ways to express themselves with words and actions and develop personalized programs based on each child's abilities, strengths, weaknesses, emotional and intellectual needs.  I also consult and coordinate with parents, teachers, administrators and other professionals about resources and programs that are available to best assist a child.

What programs are available to my child?

Banana splits is an ongoing support group for children who have parents that were never married, separated or divorced.  I also include children who might have had a mom or dad die and who might have a mom or dad in jail.  The support group helps the children regain a feeling of stability while learning how to confront and cope with the changing family situation.  There is a confidential relationship within the group and all participants know that what is shared in the group should stay in the group, though the sharing individual information is encouraged to their family.

Lunch bunch offers children the chance to eat lunch with their friends in my office.  It promotes social interaction in a relaxing and fun atmosphere.  Students are able to attend lunch bunch one time per school year in order for everyone to have an equal chance of participating.

I offer a self referral system to each child.  I have "mailboxes" located at various places in the school in which they can fill out a counselor request form if they are having a problem of any kind.  I also encourage children to write me about the good things happening in their lives.  When they leave me "mail", I choose a suitable time during the day and bring them to my office.  I will not take them out of major subject areas and all times are okayed by the classroom teache

                  A newer part of my job is going into all the classrooms and delivering classroom guidance lessons.  The first half of the school year I go into Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades.  The second half of the year is spent in the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade rooms.  I focus on friendship, cooperation, character education, bullying, and career awareness and exploration.  I rely on paper and pencil activities, role playing, topic books and group work to accomplish my goals.  Please keep up to date with what we are doing during guidance by visiting the Guidance tab at www.basd.net.

 A new face joining me for the 2008-2009 school year is Miss Lauren Robinson.  She is currently in her second year in the Counselor Education program at Penn State, University Park.  She will be with me and the students here at Bellefonte Elementary School each Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.  She is originally from Hollidaysburg, PA.  She graduated in 2005 from Penn State Altoona with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice.  Miss Robinson took a year off and worked as a Therapeutic Staff Support (TSS).    She is very much looking forward to meeting and working with the students and parents.