Aloha Aiea Elementary School Ohana,

We would like to introduce ourselves as the new School Counselors here at Aiea Elementary School. We are so honored to be a part of the AES family. In addition to us, we also have Ms. Geri Gonsalves, the counselor EA, and Ms. Meghan Chin, our school Behavioral Health Specialist.

With things constantly changing, we would like to provide students and families with counseling resources that you can use throughout the school year. We will continue to add news and information, as it becomes available. For more information on the counseling services click HERE to check out our website.

Should you have any questions throughout the school year please contact your child's designated grade level counselor using the contact information below. We look forward to working and meeting with all of you this school year.

Mahalo,

Aiea Elementary School Counseling Team

Ms. Juli Shinn Mr. Gavin Takeno
Grades PreK-2 School Counselor Grades 3-6 School Counselor
juli.shinn@k12.hi.us gavin.takeno@k12.hi.us
808-305-4432 808-305-4430

Ms. Geri Gonsalves Ms. Meghan Chin
Counselor EA Behavioral Health Specialist

MISSION

Our school counselor mission at Aiea Elementary School is to provide a comprehensive guidance program by supporting the Choose Love Program that will assist all students in acquiring the skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to become effective students, responsible citizens, productive workers, and lifelong learners. We are committed to each and every one of our students and will help them reach their maximum potential academically, socially and behaviorally.

How Do Students Talk to the School Counselor?

Meetings with the School Counselor, can be in a variety of ways. Most commonly, School Counselors get to work with students in the following ways:

• INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING: Student and counselor meet independently to go over any concerns.

• GROUP COUNSELING: Peer groups of 2-5 students meet to work on character development or group issues.

When do People Request a Meeting with a Counselor?

• When a student is very sad, confused, shy, angry, or worried

• When severe changes in a student's behavior occur

• When something seems to be bothering a student to the point of distraction or intense anxiety

• When a student is having difficulty dealing with family changes or situations

• When a student is dealing with a loss of a family member, friend, or pet

• When stressors at home are affecting school performance or self-concept

If you notice any changes in your child's behavior these may be signs of anxiety or depression:

• Crankiness or Anger

• Continuous feelings of sadness and hopelessness

• Social withdrawal

• Changes in appetite

• Changes in sleep

• Trouble concentrating

• Fatigue, tired, and /or low energy

• Physical complaints stomachahes/headaches

If you see these signs/behaviors please contact the school counselor and/or contact your child's physician. Thank you!

How Do Students See the Counselor?

• Appointment made by the counselor to meet with a student

• Self-Referral to meet with the counselor

• Parent/Guardian referral for a student to meet with the counselor

• Administration, Teacher, Staff referral/request for a student to meet with the counselor

• Request by a friend/peer for a student to meet with the counselor

Confidentiality Concerns

A counselor-student relationship must be built on trust and confidentiality. This means that we are bound by ethical codes of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) to keep conversations between ourselves and students private. We do our best to keep parents and teachers updated on the progress and relevant information for the betterment of your child. There are times when we may need to break confidentiality and tell appropriate people. This is when students may be susceptible to:

• Hurting Themselves

• Hurting Others

• Abuse and/or Neglect

To make a referral to the School Counselor, please contact your child's grade level counselor or complete one of the following forms:

The pandemic has changed our lives in many different ways throughout the past several years. We know that it has been tough and difficult for many of our families and students. Please know that we are here to help your child be successful academically, behaviorally, and socially. Please also check out the community resources below for additional information.