Dear Pownal Elementary School Families,
My name is Cathryn Bigley and I am the school counselor at Pownal Elementary School. As the school counselor, it is my job is to help students be socially and emotionally successful so they can have a positive learning experience at school.
Every week, children at Pownal Elementary School are taught the Second Step curriculum which is evidence-based and has won many awards. Children learn skills for academic success, empathy, emotional management and problem solving. Children’s literature, art, music, team-building activities and role-plays are incorporated into the lessons to make our learning together both interesting and fun. Students will learn how to be more caring, responsible, better communicators and how to solve just about any problem that comes their way. Letters go home at the beginning of each unit that describe what the children will learn and the topics we will cover.
In addition to weekly guidance lessons, short term individual and group counseling is available to children, as well as immediate help with problems during the school day such as an argument on the playground. I support children in many areas such as how to make and keep friends, Social Thinking skills, grief and loss, academic success, anger management, changes at home, and worries or anxiety, all while encouraging communication between children and the people who love them the most.
If you are interested in social-emotional support for your child, I am happy to meet with you. I am also happy to provide a list of referrals for counseling services outside of the school setting. I look forward to getting to know you and helping your child(ren) be successful at Pownal Elementary School.
Cathryn Bigley, MA, NCC
School Counselor
bigleyc@rsu5.org
(207) 688-4832