Welcome to the Elementary Counseling Page!

What is a School Counselor?

A school counselor supports students in three key areas, as outlined by the National Standards for Students:

Academic Development
Career Development
Personal and Social Development

Counselors provide services for all students through individual counseling, small group sessions, classroom lessons, and school-wide programs.

Who is my child’s school counselor?

My name is Melinda Shuffield, and I am the elementary school counselor at Southside. I am in my 18th year as an educator in Arkansas and have been with Southside for 10 years. I look forward to working with our students and families this year.

You may contact me by phone at 870-251-2661 or by email at melinda.shuffield@southsideschools.org.

Counseling Services

Individual Counseling:

Any student, teacher, or parent may make a referral to the counselor. Parents may do so by phone or email.

Small Group Counseling:

Students, teachers, or parents may request small group sessions. Groups are formed around specific topics based on student needs.

Classroom Guidance Lessons:

Elementary students will participate in guidance classes throughout the year. Teachers may also request a classroom presentation on specific topics.

Additional Counselor Responsibilities:

In addition to student support, the counselor assists with:

Coordinating and managing testing materials
Student scheduling & personal data
Organizing school programs
Working with community referral agencies
Observing students in classroom settings
Attending counseling workshops and trainings
Other duties as assigned

ADE Parent Site

DESE Parent and Family Engagement

Center for Effective Parenting

http://www.parenting-ed.org/

Life Skills

https://sites.google.com/scred.k12.mn.us/scredsel/parents?authuser=0

Southside Elementary