Guidance

The Lower School Guidance program strives to create an environment where students can thrive personally, socially, and academically. This type of environment can only be established through collaboration with students, teachers, parents, and community members. The Lower School Guidance Counselor, Rachel Handloff, delivers a comprehensive guidance program to Lower School students in a manner that is tailored to their grade and age. The following services are offered.

Classroom Guidance
Mrs. Handloff visits with the Lower School classrooms on a monthly basis to facilitate discussions and activities. Topics sometimes include expressing feelings, dealing with a bully, and creating new friendships.

Individual and Group Counseling
Counseling may cover topics such as grief, anger management or conflict resolution. Referrals to the guidance office are initiated based on student, teacher or parents concerns.

Consultation
Rachel Handloff frequently consults with parents, teachers and administrators to address the social, behavioral and emotional issues that may arise for a student.

Communication
In order to allow for better collaboration, parents of the Lower School will receive a monthly letter from the Guidance Office to update them on the content of classroom guidance lessons and other special programming originating from the guidance office. Parents are also encouraged to contact Mrs. Handloff at 301.962.9400 ext. 5151 with any questions or concerns that they may have about the psycho-social development of their children.