Ms Mary R. Holwerda

Elementary School Guidance Counselor

Welcome Students, Parents and Friends to Your School Counselor’s Web Page!

Today’s educational climate puts high demands on all students. Counseling services are designed to contribute to students’ academic, social, and emotional success. Goals include providing a setting where a child may feel free to discuss concerns and share feelings, development of decision-making skills, development of a system for personal goal setting, promoting good character and promoting a desire for lifelong leaning. I am very thankful to have the opportunity to work with your students and help them reach their potential.

Counseling Practice:

Counseling services are available through the educational setting of Thornapple-Kellogg Schools. Services are available to students within the building as well as families and friends involved with a particular student. As a school counselor, I am available during school hours and by appointment if necessary. A fee is not charged for the services.

The counseling practice is designed to deliver services to students and their families through Guidance Curriculum and Responsive Services.

· Guidance Curriculum material is delivered through structured groups and classroom presentations. Students can expect to learn more about themselves and others, acquire knowledge in the areas of career planning and exploration, and develop competencies in educational and career preparation skills.

· Responsive Services include individual counseling and small group counseling. Examples of small groups that have been offered in the past include: Divorce Recovery, Coping with Grief, Friendship Skills, Responsibility and Study Skills, Managing Anger, and Let’s Get Acquainted (for students new to the District). Groups are determined based on the needs of the student body each year. If you have a student that you believe would benefit from being included in one of these groups, please fee free to contact me.

Law and Regulations:

As a State of Michigan school employee, I am bound by the rules and laws of the state and will uphold these. I will do my best to protect the integrity and privacy that each individual deserves. If services are needed that I cannot provide, I will assist with recommendations for other professionals that can better help the student achieve his or her goals.

School Counselors are Special Friends to Kids!

Character Education:

Schools around the country are finding creative, effective ways to reach students of all ages with the message that their character really counts. Thornapple-Kellogg Elementary Buildings celebrate selected Character Pillars each month.

6 Pillars of Character:

· Trustworthiness: celebrated in the month of September

· Respect: celebrated in the month of October

· Responsibility: celebrated in the month of November

· Fairness: celebrated during the months of December and January

· Caring: celebrated in the month of February

· Citizenship: celebrated in the month of March

· Good Character traits: reviewed in April and May

Monthly assemblies are held at Page and Lee Elementary to honor students demonstrating exemplary character. During the assemblies, selected students perform character skits and participate in various activities to demonstrate the character traits for each pillar. At McFall Elementary Classroom lessons are designed to encourage and reinforce the character pillar for that month.

Character Carousel Animals-Are introduced as a fun and adventurous way to talk about character.