Our Mission

The Ettrick Elementary School Counseling Program is dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of all students through a comprehensive school counseling curriculum. We focus on promoting equitable access to academic success, social-emotional development, and early career awareness. Our goal is to empower every student to grow into confident, capable learners. The school counselors at Ettrick Elementary strive to build strong, collaborative relationships with students, families, teachers, staff, community members, and other stakeholders. Through these partnerships, we advocate for the well-being and success of every student in our school community.

Our Vision

At Ettrick Elementary School, we envision every student experiencing personal growth and achieving their individual goals. Through equitable access to a high-quality education in a safe and supportive environment, students will be empowered to succeed. Our students will leave elementary school with a strong sense of pride in their accomplishments and personal narrative, and the support of a caring school community as they transition into middle school.

Individual Counseling

Individual Counseling is a one-to-one meeting with the counselor to discuss a problem or topic of interest that may be affecting their academic success. Friendship issues, worries, conflict resolution, difficulty coming to school, grief, and anger management are frequent issues facing children.

During sessions, students might:

• talk about things that are important to them

• use puppets to help express feelings and problems

• role play situations

• work on a plan to reach a goal

• read stories that will help them learn and understand more about themselves

• use the counseling office as a safe place to calm down when feeling upset

• play games to learn ways to relate to others

Referrals for students to meet with a school counselor can be made by classroom teachers, principal, parents, or through student self-referrals. Self-referral forms are available for all students in grades 2-5, and can be obtained from the student’s teacher. Parents are welcome to call or e-mail the counselors at any time to request individual counseling for their child. While students may see us at any time for brief discussions, parental permission must be granted in order for a counselor to work with a student for a series of multiple, planned sessions. School counselors do not provide therapy, but we will provide a list of local mental health counseling providers upon request.

Group Counseling

Small group counseling (typically 6-10 participants) is needs-based and usually meets once a week during lunch for four to six weeks. Small groups provide students with the opportunity to share ideas and learn from each other. Group topics are chosen based upon student needs, and can change throughout the school year. Participation, which is voluntary and confidential, requires permission from a parent or guardian. Referrals for groups are made by parents and teachers. Priority is given to students who show an academic need.

Common Small Group Topics:

• Friendship & Social Skills

• Self-Esteem

• Self-Control & Executive Functioning

• Changing Families

• Grief

• Soft Start, for students experiencing school refusal

Permission slips and additional information on group counseling will be sent home with your child within the first six weeks of school.

School Counseling Classroom Lessons

School counseling classroom lessons are designed to foster students’ academic, career, and personal/social development. Classes are preventative in nature and empower students with self-knowledge, coping strategies, and life skills that will assist them in becoming problem solvers, collaborative workers, and responsible citizens.

Common Classroom Guidance Topics:

Self-Esteem

• Promote Respect/ Bullying

• Decision Making

• Getting Along with Others

• Tattling

• Self-Control

• Stress Management

• Organization

• Diversity and Inclusion

• Internet Safety

• Responsibility

School Wide Programs

At Ettrick Elementary, we have many school-wide programs to reinforce the importance of the core values of an Ettrick HERO: Hard work, Enthusiasm in learning, Respect, and Oneness. These include, but are not limited to:

• Ron Clark House Lunch Bunch

• New Student Welcome Lunch

• Attendance Plan Interventions

• Career Day

• Fifth Grade College and Career Field Trip

• CCPS Promote Respect Bullying Prevention Program

Caregiver Resources by Topic

• Attendance

  • Attendance Policy

• Screen time

  • 6 tips to reduce children's screentime

  • 4 Reasons Your Kid Isn't Ready for a Smartphone (Yet)

• Bullying

  • Promote Respect Infographic

• Anxiety

  • 9 tools for helping your child manage anxiety

• School Refusal

  • Supporting Kids and Teens Who Won't Go to School

• Conflict Resolution

  • 5 Strategies to Help Kids Resolve Conflict

• Self-Advocacy

  • What is Self-Advocacy? Tips for Speaking Up

Community Mental Health Resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing an emergency, please call 911. 

• 24/7 Crisis Line: (804) 748-6356 (Chesterfield)

• Chesterfield Mental Health Support Services: Main Intake Number: (804) 748-1227

• Chesterfield Non-Emergency Police: 748-1251

• Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Social Services: 748-1100

• Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741-741.

• Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (24/7, free, confidential support, prevention and crisis resources): 988

• Mental Health America of Virginia's Warm Line (peer-run support services): 1-866-400-MHAV (6428) 

• Chesterfield Domestic & Sexual Violence Resource Center Office: 804 748-1600.

• EmpowerNet Hotline (Domestic/sexual violence support 24/7): Call or text 804-612-6126

• James House 24 Hour Hotline (Domestic/Sexual Violence, Stalking. English/Spanish): 804- 458-2840 

• VA Family Violence & Sexual Assault Hot Line: 1-800-838-8238 ; Text 804-793-9999.

• LGBTQ Partner Abuse & Sexual Assault Helpline: 1-866-356-699;. Text 804-793-9999.

• Side By Side LGBTQ Youth Support Groups: 804-644-4800. 

• The Trevor Project (24/7 crisis intervention): 1-866-488-7386; Text START to 678-678 

• Virginia Veteran & Family Support: 877-285-1299