JFK has two full time School Counselors. Grace Holcomb is our kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade school counselor. This is Grace’s 10th year as a School Counselor at JFK Elementary School. Sarah Murphy is our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade school counselor. This is Sarah’s 16th year as a School Counselor at JFK Elementary School.

Our program is broken into two components: direct and indirect services.

Direct Services:
Direct services are in-person interactions between the school counselor and student(s). Direct services include occasional classroom social emotional learning (SEL) lessons based on need, small group counseling and skills work, and individual student planning, as well as responsive services.
Classroom social emotional learning (SEL) lessons: When a specific need is identified by a classroom teacher, the school counselors will schedule a 30 minute targeted lesson to address said need, and follow up as needed.
Small group counseling/skill work: Small group counseling and skill work may occur based upon student need. The counseling and skill groups may focus on topics of friendship, changing families, emotional regulation, and social skills, among other topics.
Individual student planning: Individual student planning includes targeted, goal focused and short-term interventions on an as needed basis.

Indirect Services:
Indirect Services are provided on behalf of students as a result of the school counselor’s interactions with others. These interactions include referrals for additional assistance, consultation, and collaboration with parents, guardians, teachers and other educators and community organizations.