Forest Vista Elementary

Welcome Forest Vista Parents!

My name is Jennifer Collien and I am so excited to begin my first year here at Forest Vista Elementary School! I am currently starting my 14th year as a school counselor. I love my role as a school counselor because it gives me the opportunity to build relationships with the students. I love interacting with the students and building relationships with the parents and community as well. Please always feel free to reach out with any questions that you may have. I am here to serve your child and to help make their elementary experience a positive, successful and happy one for them!

Guidance & Counseling

The Role of a Professional School Counselor

The purpose of guidance and counseling at Forest Vista Elementary is to implement a proactive developmental guidance program to encourage all students to maximize personal growth and development.   Within that purpose, the role of the school counselor is:

1. Develop and implement comprehensive guidance lessons to all students (K-5)
2. Individual planning with students regarding education placement and life goals
3. Responsive services including appropriate referrals, individual and group counseling needs
4. Support and collaborate with administration, staff, and parents by providing training, local resources, and community experiences

How student needs are addressed?

• Individual Counseling -- Counselors work with students on a one-to-one basis in order to help them effectively manage a variety of personal, academic, and social issues. While each student faces his/her own unique challenges, some common issues for elementary involve: confidence/self-esteem, academic pressures, coping with grief, dealing with families in transition, organization, stress/anxiety management, fitting in, communication skills, peer relationships, and crisis management, among others.
• Small Group Counseling -- Each school counselor facilitates small group counseling throughout the year. Groups are organized according to student-identified needs and are available to all interested students. Groups meet regularly and may be ongoing throughout the year or time-structured with a start/end date. Common group topics could include; friendship, newcomers, grief, social skills, "LIFE" (Living in Families Everyday), stress/anxiety, self-confidence, etc. among others.
• Classroom Guidance -- Periodically throughout the year, school counselors will facilitate lessons in the classroom aimed to address life skills and goals that influence personal and academic success.  LISD and WES Counselor Curriculum is done through the Second Step Program.  Topics include:  Skills for learning, empathy, emotion management, problem solving, bullying,  safety, character education, self-care,, social media safety, drugs & alcohol and grief are just a few examples of topics covered by counselors during classroom guidance lessons.