My goal at Harbor Heights is to be sure every student is having FUN because when students are having FUN, they are learning! Our TEAM of professional and para-professional staff, as well as parents and community members, work together to achieve this goal.   

We have a school-wide problem-solving curriculum, “Kelso’s Choices,” (see below) that instructs students about which problems they can solve and which ones, such as bullying, they should ask an adult for help in resolving.  This program was created by Diane Hipp and Barbara Clark and more information is available at: 

 http://www.kelsoschoice.net/aboutkc.html

I am an advocate for parents when they have questions about academic or social/emotional concerns.  One tool that many parents find helpful is a Behavior Chart. (See below.)

 

In this counseling position, my activities include:

_  meeting individually and in groups with students,

_  consulting with parents, and staff,

_  referring and consulting with therapists outside of school,

_  coordinating the Hispanic Parent meetings with Margarita Bell, community member (see District web site),

_  coordinating Job Squad, jobs for students (such as raising the flag, tutoring a younger student, etc.)

_  co-facilitating Student Council

I welcome your questions, ideas—or just to chat.                                     My number is 253-530-1832 

And THANK YOU for being a part of the Harbor Heights’ TEAM!

So rather than trying to suggest ways students can solve their problems, we ask staff and parents to ask, “Have you tried 2 Kelso’s Choices?”  This way, students are empowered to solve their own problems and also learn when it’s appropriate to ask an adult for help.  We find that by teaching students the skills needed to resolve their own problems, they are empowered for LIFE with valuable tools they’ll need in middle school, on a job, or in a family.