pROGRAMS
The Ferguson Elementary Counseling Department offers a variety of services to promote the personal, social, and academic development of each student. These services are based on world class counseling standards and competencies and support the core mission of Gwinnett County Public Schools and Ferguson Elementary by enhancing the focus on teaching and learning.
Attendance
Ferguson counselors work with students and parents to ensure prompt and regular school attendance. Ferguson counselors, along with our school social worker, hold SARC meetings which focus on educating parents on the importance of school attendance. Ferguson students are expected to be in their classroom and ready to learn by 8:50 a.m. Counselors work on an individual basis with students who have attendance concerns.
Care Team
The Ferguson Elementary Care Team provides support and resource lists containing information about outside agencies to Ferguson families. Care team also partners with Nothing but the Truth ministries to provide weekly food bag to qualifying Ferguson Families.
Lessons
All students receive core curriculum lessons which align with Gwinnett County Public Schools' counseling standards and competencies. These lessons focus on topics such as attendance, conflict resolution, careers, study skills, friendship, personal safety, anger management, and listening and following directions. Ms. Danish will be teaching core curriculum lessons in kindergarten, first, and second grades. Ms. Ferguson will be teaching core curriculum lessons in third, fourth, and fifth grades.
Dartha b. ferguson Foundation
The Dartha B. Ferguson Foundation is part of the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation. The Dartha B. Ferguson Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) charitable organization dedicated to providing financial resources to enrich and enhance the education of the students at Ferguson Elementary. A board of Trustees consisting of the principal of Ferguson Elementary, members of Mrs. Ferguson’s family, a Ferguson Elementary parent, and community members govern the Foundation.
The Dartha B. Ferguson Foundation sponsors three yearly events: Parent Son Sports Night in September, Trick or Treat Night in October and Daddy Daughter Dance in February. During the 2014-2015 school year the foundation purchased library books, awarded teacher grants, co–sponsored the teacher appreciation luncheon, provided money to Care Team, purchased teacher gifts for Ferguson Elementary faculty and staff, provided support for P.B.I.S, provided school supplies to Ferguson students, and supported care team.
The mission statement of the Dartha B. Ferguson Foundation is to sustain the world-class standards of Gwinnett County Public Schools and Ferguson Elementary by strengthening community relationships and providing resources and support to all students, faculty, and staff.
Dream Makers
Students in need of extra emotional support are referred by their classroom teacher. These students are then matched with a staff or community volunteer to develop a mentoring relationship for the school year. Mentors are asked to meet with their student weekly for at least 20 minutes. Several times a year the Ferguson Elementary counseling department provides special activities for Dream Maker participants. One hundred and twenty four students have been served over a five year period.
If you are interested in being a mentor, please contact one of the Ferguson Elementary counselors.
Ferguson Elementary participated in several “No Place for Hate” projects during the 2014-2015 school year. Our school counselors taught a series of classroom guidance lessons on conflict resolution strategies as well as ways to recognize and combat bullying. Additionally, Mrs. Casey Freeman taught a lesson in Art special entitled " What No Place For Hate Means to Me". Each student completed a No Place for Hate art project. Student Council members created a "No Place for Hate" promise banner which was signed by
No Place for hate
our entire school along with completing a "No Place for Hate" school service project.
Ferguson was thrilled to receive the official “No Place for Hate” designation in May 2015! At that time, Ferguson Elementary was presented with a banner by the Anti-Defamation League.
We received this designation for the fourth year in a row during the 2015-2016 school year. We will strive to receive this designation again for the 2016-2017 school year.
pbis AND CHARACTER EDUCATION
The premise of PBIS is that continual teaching, combined with acknowledgement or feedback of positive student behavior, will reduce unnecessary discipline and promote a climate of greater productivity, safety and learning. Students earn blue (classroom), yellow(bus), pink(around building) tickets for positive behavior. Students then turn in their tickets for weekly prizes such as the Just Dance party, freeze pops, popcorn, gym party , art party, and leading the pledge on the morning announcements.
Play therapy
Ferguson Elementary is fortunate to have a therapeutic playroom where students may receive either individual or small group counseling. Students are able to use the sand tray, paint, perform puppet shows, act out skits in the doll house, play with the kitchen set, and almost anything else their imaginations allow! Play therapy allows students to act out situations that they cannot always find words to express. It also allows students to focus on the here and now, learn tangible skills, encourage pro-social behaviors, and improve communication.
Principal's Elite club
The premise of PBIS is that continual teaching, combined with acknowledgement or feedback of positive student behavior, will reduce unnecessary discipline and promote a climate of greater productivity, safety and learning. Students earn blue (classroom), yellow(bus), pink(around building) tickets for positive behavior. Students then turn in their tickets for weekly prizes such as the Just Dance party, freeze pops, popcorn, gym party , art party, and leading the pledge on the morning announcements.
Small group counseling
Ferguson Elementary counselors serve students in small counseling groups. Students are recommended through their classroom teachers or the SST process for small groups. Several of the small groups that have been offered at Ferguson Elementary include changing families, anger management, I am Capable (self-esteem and cooperation) groups, study skills, play counseling groups, and lunch bunches. Students benefit from small group counseling because it allows them to receive more personalized attention and provides
them a safe and secure environment in which to explore their thoughts and feelings.