Counseling

School counselors are advocates for students. They seek to build relationships to help students grow emotionally, socially and academically. Counselors are first and foremost here to support student academic and learning development, helping students achieve school success. Second, life and career development, which helps students focus on future life and career goals. Counselors work to provide an awareness of multicultural and global citizenship to allow students to see opportunity in the ever evolving global communities. Finally, the school counselor provides social and emotional support allowing students to develop resiliency and strength as they work towards their future. Your school counselor is in the school to support you!

"Let us make our future now, and let us make our dreams tomorrow's reality" Malala Yousafzai

Our school counselor is the coordinator for the Comprehensive School Counseling Program at Polk Elementary. Our School Counselor is also the facilitator of the PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support) program. This means that Polk counseling interventions provide a school-wide support system for each student, while also focusing on school-wide initiatives that promote positive behaviors. This is provided for all students here at Polk Elementary. 

This counseling page is here to provide educational information to parents and students of Polk Elementary as well as the community.

  Meet Our School Counselor

Hello! My name is Jeanna O’Connor and I am the School Counselor here at Polk Elementary. I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with years of experience working with children from hard places. Prior to school counseling I worked in child welfare for 16 years where my main focus was working with children who have experienced trauma. I am a TBRI (Trauma Based Relational Intervention) practitioner. As a TBRI practitioner my focus is on connecting and empowering children through positive adult relationships. I am passionate and committed to providing a safe and friendly environment to all students.  

As a School Counselor my focus is building social and emotional skills. I do not provide therapy, but instead work with students on how to manage emotions by providing different coping strategies. These services are provided through collaborative classroom instruction, small group counseling or individual counseling support. 

This year I will be utilizing the MindUP curriculum in the classroom. MindUP is  designed to teach students skills to regulate their stress and emotions while forming positive relationships. https://mindup.org

My goal is to be a valuable resource for students, parents, and faculty members here at Polk Elementary.  Please contact me if you have questions or concerns about a student. I can be reached by e-mail at oconnorj@ogdensd.org or by phone at (801)-737-8304. Or you can fill out this form. Counseling request

Hello Polk Cougars!

My name is Jessica and I am the Community School Coordinator.  That means that I am here to support students and families with a wide range of possibilities, all in an effort to help your student be successful. This year I will be working closely with the admin and counselors to support students and families at our school. Some examples of that support are:

• Attendance

• Academic Support

• Basic Needs (food, clothing, etc.)

• Social Emotional Support

• Connecting families to resources

 

If you have any questions about these supports or think that I might be of service to your student and/or family please feel free to reach out to me or scan the QR code to fill out a short survey about what resources could benefit your family the most and I will reach out to you.

 

My contact information is listed here:

Phone: 801-645-4191 (call or text)

Email:  staleyj@ogdensd.org

Request support

I am available Monday and Thursday 8am-2pm or Friday 8am-1pm

 

 

 

The Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance program at Polk Elementary is designed to provide a school wide support system for each student. The systems consist of classroom lessons, group counseling sessions and individual responsive services. The topics for group discussion and classroom lessons consist of:

Anger * Anxiety * Aggression * Paying Attention * Behavior Concerns * Defiance

Depression * Friendships * Grief due to any kind of loss * Impulsivity * Social Skills

Individual Student Issues * Concerns about Mood * Stress/Worry