Guidance

Counseling Services

The TCS School Counseling Program is designed to support the typical social-emotional development of all students. It is staffed by one full-time counselor. 
The counselor is available to consult and collaborate with parents/guardians and teachers.
​At its best, this home-school partnership (stakeholder approach) supports a student's growth toward his/her potential each year. 

School Counseling components include (but are not limited to):

Individual Counseling (with parent permission) 
If a student experiences a difficult change or crisis, short-term one-on-one counseling can help a student adjust. Parents or teachers can refer students for support with grief or loss, changing family structure, and for effective decision making to support learning or behavior. 

Classroom SEL Lessons (available to all classes)
In a rotating schedule through TCS classrooms, the counselor teaches interactive lessons that foster age-appropriate academic and social development. Research-based themes and lessons address five major goals of Social & Emotional Learning. 
1) Self Awareness - The ability to reflect on one's own feelings and thoughts.
2) Self Management (control, regulation, etc.) - The ability to control one's own thoughts and behavior. 
3) Social Awareness - The ability to empathize with others, recognize social cues and adapt to various situations. 
4) Relationship Skills - The ability to communicate, make friends, manage disagreements, recognize peer pressure, and cooperate with others. 
5) Responsible Decision Making - The ability to make healthy choices about one's own behavior while weighing consequences for others. 

Formal Small Group Counseling (with parent permission) 
Groups work on identified areas of need such as friendship making or self management. Group members are selected by teacher or parent referral, counselor invitation for a positive group role model, or because another student in the group requests a friend. Groups meet 1-2x per week for a variety of lengths. Teachers of group members are consulted to ensure that time scheduled for the group will not hinder academic growth. 
Small groups of 4-6 students are an effective way to guide student development in areas of communication, self-advocacy, conflict resolution, and leadership. Cooperative team-building games are used as a vehicle for developing social skills or meeting personal goals. 

*Lunch bunches are informal, small gatherings of students who may be rewarded by having "lunch with the teacher" 

If your child is referred or invited to participate in a small group during the school year, they will be sent home with a permission slip or you will receive a call directly from the school counselor. Should you have questions about this request, please contact Matt Tetreault at Tuftonboro Central School, (603) 569-2050. 

I am here to serve the TCS community in any way possible. Please do not hesitate to reach out.