Counseling

FSSD/PGS Policy on Bullying and Cyberbullying

The Franklin Special School District policy on bullying and cyberbullying can viewed by clicking here:

The school counseling department at Poplar Grove Elementary strives to work with students, parents, teachers, administration and other community members to increase awareness of bullying and be proactive in reducing its occurrence.  Our mission is to make school a place where every student feels safe and valued.  Individual counseling, small group counseling, classroom discussion and school wide positive behavior supports are used as part of Poplar Grove Elementary’s efforts to help students be aware of what bullying is, what to do when you see bullying occur and how to stand up for yourself and others. The faculty at PGES is dedicated to helping students develop the social and emotional skills that will discourage bullying and help them develop positive peer relationships.

Character education teaches students about virtues that contribute to their personal and social development.  It also helps create a positive school culture where students feel safe and valued.  This can have a very positive impact on student learning. Character education also encourages students to develop strong social and emotional skills that are crucial for their overall well-being and success in life. We look forward to collaborating with parents to encourage positive character traits in our students that will help them become positive, responsible members of society.

Poplar Grove Elementary focuses on four main character traits: KINDNESS, RESPECT, HONESTY, and RESPONSIBILITY. Each quarter of school, students will learn and strive to exemplify these character traits.

The Guidance Department at Poplar Grove Elementary follows the Tennessee School Counseling Standards.  “The standards and expectations for academic development guide the school-counseling program to implement strategies and activities to support and maximize learning;  for career development serve as a guide to provide the foundation for acquiring the attitudes, knowledge and skills that enable students to make a successful transition from school to the world of work and from job to job across the career life span; for personal/social development provide the foundation for personal and social growth, which contributes to academic and career success.”

Link to Tennessee School Counseling Standards

The Franklin Special School District has a collaborative partnership with Mercy Community Healthcare to offer clinical therapy in all of the FSSD schools. This approach eliminates transportation and time-related barriers for children to receive services, with parent permission/referral. 

The approach is unique and integrative, as the Mercy therapists are able to meet with the child at the school during the school day. The therapist are often able to accommodate the demands of the academic day, by seeing children during their related arts classes or during lunch.

Mercy's highly trained and licensed therapists provide a spectrum of interventions from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), play based, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), somatic experiencing sessions, art therapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT).

They offer individual, group and family counseling, depending on the need. Because the therapists are in the school buildings, they are able to meet the social and emotional needs of their clients within their comfort zone, and foster a safe, loving and nurturing environment. With permission, the Mercy therapists can also provide integrative services and continuation of care, by collaborating with other providers and team members to create “wrap-around” services and support maximum growth.

Poplar Grove Elementary School is committed to supporting the mental and emotional health and well-being of all students. In addition to our school counselor and Mercy therapist we now also have a Volunteer Behavioral Health Specialist on our counseling team. This professional works closely with students who may need extra emotional support, helping them build coping skills, manage stress, and navigate challenges.

Our goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Students and families can reach out to Mrs. Visser to learn more about this resource or to request support.