Harmony Elementary
3946 South Bogan Rd.
Buford, GA 30519

Office (770) 945-7272
Fax (770) 932-7497

Principal
Anne Marie Keskonis

Asst. Principal
Emily Keag

Asst. Principal
Charlotte Hall

School Hours
Monday - Friday
8:50am - 3:20pm

School Counseling at Harmony Elementary

This school year (2009-2010), Tina Byrne is our school counselor. Mrs. Byrne works with all grade levels kindergarten through 5th grade at Harmony.   Below you will find out about five key areas of her School Counseling program at Harmony.

Classroom Guidance Lessons

     This school year, Mrs. Byrne will visit each classroom once every four weeks for a thirty-minute classroom guidance lesson. She will cover many different topics with each grade level corresponding to the Gwinnett County Guidance and Counseling Standards and Competencies
approved for each age group.

Major topics covered for each grade level are listed below:

Kindergarten

Following rules and directions; listening skills; exploring feelings

 

First Grade

Listening and following directions; being    respectful; friendship skills; recognizing abilities and potential

Second Grade

Responsibility for self and schoolwork;   
using cooperation; showing compassion and generosity

Third Grade

Organization skills and time management; problem solving skills; coping with classroom problem

 

Fourth Grade 

Study and test taking skills; dealing with peers in difficult situations (peer pressure);  taking         responsibility for behaviors

Fifth Grade

Study and test taking skills; conflict resolution; communicating and relating to peers appropriately

Individual Counseling

     Students may be referred for individual counseling sessions by their teacher, parent, or by a self-referral. Teachers and parents may contact me directly and students are instructed on how to fill out referral notes during the first classroom guidance lesson of the year. School counseling is designed primarily as a brief intervention for temporary situations that may arise, but students may be seen on and off during the year depending on the severity of the personal situation. Seeking outside counseling/therapy may be beneficial for students with more traumatic, on-going issues.

Small Group Counseling

     She will run many groups throughout the year for small numbers of students dealing with various issues. Students are referred to participate in groups by teachers, parents, and by the counselor.  Parent permission is required for students to participate. Groups typically run for six weeks (meeting once per week) and cover topics such as study and organizational skills, friendship skills, anger management/conflict resolution skills, and dealing with family changes.

Care Team

     The purpose of the Harmony Care Team is to help provide funds or supplies for needy students and their families. The Care Team has school supplies and some clothing items at school to donate to needy students and also raises money each year to help cover various expenses that arise during times of economic difficulties. The majority of the money collected goes towards helping out families at Thanksgiving and Christmas and also is used to help pay for some student field trips. Please contact me   if you feel that your child and/or family may be in need of Care Team funds or if you would like to help by donating money, supplies, or holiday items.

 

 

Character Education

Character Education is an important component to our students' overall education at Harmony.  “The Good Citizen of the Month” program helps to teach meaning of character and celebrate students who show it.   Each month a new character word is introduced on the morning broadcast and the word of the month is also posted on the “Good Citizen” sign in the lunchroom.  Two students each month are recognized on the morning broadcast for having been spotted by our "Secret Wildcat Watcher" demonstrating the word of the month here at school.   Students will receive some much deserved recognition and also a free ice cream coupon.   

September
Courtesy
October
Good Listener
November
 Self-Control
December
Compassion
January
Cooperation
February
Leadership
March
Hard Working
April
Confident
May
Positive

Helpful Links

Home Alone Guidelines Positive and Effective Discipline Techniques

Character Education

 Fears, Phobias and Disorders
Parent Magic Positive Discipline
No Child Left Behind Act Study Skills