PAUSD Students Reap the Benefits of PiE-funded Counseling

Students at Addison and Walter Hays Elementary Schools are getting help coping with such issues as parents' divorce and friendship problems, thanks to funds from Palo Alto Partners in Education (PiE).

At Addison students receive services from school psychologist Rita Rodriguez and intern Martha Tercero, who has a background in art therapy as well as counseling. About 15 to 20 students visit Rodriguez and/or Tercero about twice a week. Some students work together in groups to address friendship issues, while others are seen individually. In addition, about 5 to 10 students regularly drop in to seek help during recess or after school. Both counselors also do classroom observations "to look at the dynamics and balances and see what sorts of interventions would be effective," said Addison Principal John Lents.

Addison's counseling program is an asset not only to the students who receive direct services, but also to the school as a whole, Lents said.

Each counselor, he said, "gives all of the children another familiar face they can access if I'm not available. The program creates a network of support within the community and another perspective that's important for our student-study team. It helps us better understand the co-dependence of academic performance with social-emotional health. All this is only possible through PiE."

Walter Hays students likewise benefit from PiE dollars allocated towards the school's counseling program. Hays counselor Karin Bloom sees approximately 25 students per semester, including some who receive counseling from her all year. Bloom works with individual students and small groups, observes classrooms, and consults with teachers and parents in order to most effectively support students, according to Hays principal Carol Piraino.

"Her work with the students is highly valued by teachers, families, and especially the students themselves," Piraino said. "It has been great having a trained counselor who can help children deal with a variety of social-emotional challenges that have a direct impact on their learning. The children love spending time with her."

Students at El Carmelo Elementary School also receive counseling services that are funded in part from PiE donations.

According to El Carmelo principal Lupe Garcia, "The focus of our counseling support effort is to provide social-emotional support for students demonstrating a specific need in this area. A greater number of students attending school need specific guidance and instruction on how to create and maintain friends. Getting along with others, even when there are conflicts, is essential to in our world."

"In addition, a greater number of children coming to school are on the Asperger's spectrum. A good number of these children require specific guidance-support with specific social skills-- Our counselor works in concert with our school staff and principal to provide needed support to the students most in need."