MS. HIGGINS-COUNSELOR

I am so proud to be a part of the A+ Academy Elementary family! I am here to help students, staff, and families and support the welfare of all children. 

My goal is to create a counseling program that helps students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. My child-centered approach enables me to work closely with students, parents, teachers, and administrators so that all students can be successful at school. 

Students, I am here to help you with:                                   

• Working out friendship problems
• Setting goals
• Working well with others
• Feeling good about yourself
• Adjusting to a new school
• Learning how to make decisions
• Managing your feelings (stress, worry, anger, etc.)
• Dealing with peer pressure and bullying

Parents, I am able to assist and provide you with:

• Exploring ways to help your child succeed
• Improving parent-child communications
• Referrals for community sources
• Understanding the developmental changes of childhood
• Supply reference materials
• Information to help understand your child's special needs

Services Provided:

• Classroom Presentations
• Group Counseling (grief, divorce, social skills, and study skills)
• Brief Solution-Focused Counseling
• Parent Consultations
• Community Resource Referrals

***Please note that I do not provide "therapy" or "traditional counseling."

    Referrals for outside counseling services are available for children 

    experiencing grief, divorce, family separation, deployment, or mental

    health concerns.

Resources-

Helpful Books   

Kindergarten Transition:

* Welcome to Kindergarten by Anne Rockwell

* Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate                                                            

* Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes

* The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

* I Am Absolutely Too Small for School by Lauren Child

Bullying:

* The Juice Box Bully by Bob Sornson & Maria Dismondy

* Each Kindness byJacqueline woodson

* The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig

* Bully by Patricia Polacco

* Wonder by R.J. Palacio

ADHD:

* Mrs. Gorski, I Think I have the Wiggle Fidgets by Barbara Esham

* This Morning Sam Went to Mars: A Book About Paying Attention by Nancy Carlson

* Good Morning Yoga: A Pose-by-Pose Wake Up Story by Mariam Gates

* Good Night Yoga: A Pose-by-Pose Bedtime Story by Mariam Gates

* The ADHD Advantage: What You Thought Was a Diagnosis May Be Your Greatest Strength by Dale Archer, MD

Diversity:

* The Sneetches and Other Stories by Dr. Suess

* Happy In Our Skin by Fran Manushkin

* Last Stop On Market Street by Matt de la Pena

* Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

* Priscilla McDoodlenutDoodleMcMae Asks Why? Janet Mary Sinke

Growing Up:

* The Period Book Updated Edition: Everything You Don't Want to Ask (But Need to Know) by Karen Gravelle & Debbie    Palen 

* What's Happening to Me? Boys Edition by Alex Firth, Susan Mereideth, and Adam Larkum

*  It Will Be Okay by Lysa TerKeurst

* It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health by Robie H. Harris & Michael Emberely

* Just for Boys: A Book About Growing Up by Matt Crossick

* Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson

Parenting:

* 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 by Thomas W. Phelan

* Try and Make Me! by Ray Levy and Bill O'Hanlon

* Taking 'No' for an Answer an Other Skills Children Need: Fifty Games to Teach Family Skills by Laurie Simons

* Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and Other Realities of Adolescence by Rosalind Wiseman

* How to Talk So Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7 by Joanna Faber & Julie King

Divorce and Separation:

* Dinosaurs Divorce by Marc Brown

* A Safe Place to Live: A Story for Children Who Have Experienced Domestic Violence by Michelle A. Harrison

* You Make Your Parents Super Happy!: A Book About Parents Separating by Richy K. Chandler

* Divorce Is Not The End Of The World: Zoe and Evan's Coping Guide for Kids by Zoe and Evan Stern

* Two of Everything by Babette Cole

Grief:

* Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs by Tomie de Paola

* Lifetimes by Brian Mellonie

* When Dinosaurs Die by Laurie Krasny Brown

* Helping Children Cope with Grieg by Rosemary Wells

* Tear Soup: A Recipe for Healing After Loss by Pat Schwiebert and Chuck DeKlyen

Perfectionism:

* Anybody Can Bake A Cake by Hennie Shore

* Ish by Peter Reynolds

* Perfect Pals: How to Juggle Your Way From Perfection to Excellence by Janet Bender

* What To Do When Good Isn't Good Enough by Thomas Greenspon

* Nobody's Perfect by Ellen Flanagan Burns

Other Books:

* Don't Squeal Unless It's A Big Deal by Jeanie Franz Ransom

* I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont and David Catrow

* The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Pressure by Stan and Jan Berenstain

* Pickers is a Thief by Gary Antilla

* What to do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid's Guide to Overcoming Anxiety by Dawn Huebner and Bonnie Matthews 

Counseling Mission:  

The mission of IVE/IVI Campus School program is to provide all students with a comphrensive school counseling program centered around an engaging curriculum that encourages the highest level of student achievement through their growth in academic, career, and personal/social domains.  In partnership with educators, administrators, families, and a caring community, the counseling program facilitates that all campus students have access, knowledge, and skills to become lifelong learners and realize their full potential.

Annual Plan:

The annual plan of the IVE/IVI Counseling School program is to facilitate student development in the following areas academic/career/ and social emotionl learning.