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Counselor

School Counseling Program

Welcome parents and families to the DGES website. Please allow me to give information about the current school counseling program. Because of the recent situation with the COVID-19 virus, Albuquerque Schools have made the choice to switch from on-campus educational learning to a distance learning situation. Lots of changes for everyone concerned, but nothing that can’t be handled when we all work together. From the school counseling perspective, we will continue to meet the needs of your child. Of course, it is not possible for me to meet face to face with your child, but we can offer options.

All school counselors follow the Ethical Standards for School Counselors, based on the American School Counselors’ Association guidelines. As the school counselor, I am obligated to hold in confidence, information received from students, family members, guardians, and staff members, with several restrictions based on safety issues. Rest assured, this will continue to be the case, even when working with your student by phone or other technology means.

First, I monitor my email frequently. If you believe your child needs to talk with someone, please email me with the name of your student and a workable phone number or email address. As soon as possible, I will contact you to talk about the situation and see what we can do. Second, DGES still has the services of our therapist from SouthWest Family Guidance Center. He continues to meet with the students referred throughout this school year. Either of these options will allow your student to visit with an adult from our school. There are certain guidelines that will need to be followed, but we can easily work through these.

If your or your child has an immediate need for help, please feel free to call the New Mexico Crisis Assistance Line (NMCAL) at 1-855-662-7474. There are therapists available 24/7 who can help with the situation. And of course, you can always call 9-1-1 for an immediate response and assistance.

Last, if you do not want to take advantage of either of these options, below are names, phone numbers and/or email addresses of other facilities in Albuquerque that you can reach out to. All of these entities have Tele-Health capabilities to meet the needs of your child(ren).

Albuquerque Facilities with Tele-Health

Contact Me

Please feel free to email me at the address below, if you need to visit with me. I caution you to keep safe, follow the guidelines established by the health department, our mayor and governor. Stay home, help your child(ren) continue with their studies and, most important, take care of yourself.

Valentina Watson, (505) 764-2020, ext. 21104, valentina.watson@aps.edu

 

Mission

The Dolores Gonzales Elementary School counseling program supports all students to achieve academic, career, personal and social development through a comprehensive, holistic model. Believing that all children have an infinite potential to learn and grow. The school counseling program aims to help children build skills which promote compassion for self and others, grit to do hard things, tools to do hard things,tools to make meaningful connections and passion to engage in lifelong learning. In partnership with parents, teachers, administrators and the community, the school counseling program will foster an environment where all student feel they belong, cultivate resiliency, know their unique voices matter, and are prepared to creatively contribute to our world.

Counseling Services

Classroom Guidance Curriculum

Lessons are preventative, taught to all grades levels, developmentally appropriate, and address academic, personal, social & career growth.

Small Group Counseling

Using a psychoeducational model, small groups help students reflect on their experiences, recognize they are not alone, and enhance relationship, intrapersonal, learning & behavioral skills. Parents are notified when their child is selected to participate.

Individual Counseling

When appropriate, the school counselor meets with individual students on a short-term basis. These sessions can be for planning academically or of a personal/social nature.

Additional Services

  • School-Based Consultation& System Support
  • Community Resource Referrals

 

Confidentiality & Informed Consent

All APS School Counselors are required to follow the Ethical Standards for School Counselors. The school counselor respects confidential information received from students, the family, guardians, and staff members, with some exceptions.

Those exceptions are when: 1)there is any suspicion of child abuse or neglect; 2)where a student poses a serious threat to themselves or others; and/or 3)where legal requirements demand a release of information.