Counselor Grades 1-4

During her office hours the Counselor provides students with an opportunity to take charge of their problems and conflicts and to work on and solve them. Students can set up recess appointments alone or with one or two other children and work on solutions. Social learning takes place every day and in all areas.

Therefore, the elementary school team has developed G.R.E.I.F., German for Griffin.The griffin mascot represents our entire school, and at the same time it helps the students remember values that are important to our elementary school. Much like the FROG did, the letters of the GREIF stand for group-oriented, respectful, empathic, interested, and friendly.

We value social learning just as much as academic learning and we hope to educate our students to be mindful of others, to respect everyone's thoughts and feelings, to understand another person’s perspective, to dedicate themselves to education, and to always act with kindness and consideration. Our students are excited to earn "GREIF" tokens for displaying these qualities in school.

Teachers can use griffin tokens as rewards for positive behavior. In grades SEL, 1 and 2, students can pick up a little gift from the counselor’s office (or in the SEL from the teacher) when they have received 10 griffins. In 3^rd and 4^th grade, they can receive a reward when they have accumulated 15 griffins.

Office hours for parents offer an opportunity to discuss educational questions or a student’s academic challenges, to search for solutions and, if necessary, establish a support system.

Class room visits offer an opportunity to meet all students and to better start and accompany important processes. The elementary school counselor cooperates with the secondary school counselor, thus ensuring professional communications.

Our Elementary School Counselor Ms. Ulrike Schweitzer can be reached at uschweitzer@giswashington.org.

> Anti-Bullying Policy

> Book Recommendations by the Counselor