Counselor Connection

September 8, 2014:

Dear Gracemor Parents,

We hope you and your family had a happy and safe summer and are now in the swing of things with school.  This year, Gracemor Elementary will again have two counselors.  Kirsten Muller is one of our Elementary Counselors.  She also serves as an e-Campus instructor. She has grades 2, 4, and 5. I (Jennifer Bagby) am the other counselor at Gracemor. I have grades K, 1, and 3.

• I am from Kansas City and am so happy to be back! (Go Chiefs!)
• I went to the University of Missouri-Columbia (Go Tigers!) for my undergraduate degrees. My majors were Spanish and Psychology.
• After MIZZOU, I completed the school counseling graduate program at Stephens College in Columbia.
• This is my first year as a school counselor!

As the Gracemor Counselors, we will structure our day within the frameworks of the Missouri Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program.  The program provides four basic program components:  Guidance Curriculum (K-5 – weekly classroom counseling lessons), Individual Student Planning (assessment, academic assistance, behavior plans, etc.), Responsive Services (small groups, individual counseling, crisis counseling, etc.), and System Support (in-services, program management, program evaluation, parent, faculty and building support).

The curriculum is divided into three content areas: Personal and Social Development, Academic Development and Career Development.  The Missouri Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program, the district curriculum, and other materials will be used for classroom and small group presentations with students.   Some of the topics discussed during groups will be: Self Awareness, Decision Making, Feelings, Social Skills, Careers, Study Skills and more.  The Gracemor Counseling Program will also support the school-wide Positive Behavior Support Program.

We are looking forward to having a great year and hope to meet many of you in the near future.  If we can be of assistance to you, please contact my counseling office at 816-413-6433.

Sincerely,        

Jennifer Bagby (M-F)

Kirsten Muller (M -F)                                                             

Gracemor Counselors