Values Statement

The Graham Hill Elementary School Counseling Program aims provide whatever it takes to ensure that students are successful academically, socially, and emotionally and reach their highest potential.   Our school is student-centered, safe, and nurturing.   Whether is it in the classroom, playground, cafeteria, or office- the team at Graham Hill Elementary School works to foster caring relationships with students and enhance student skills through teaching skills within our social and emotional learning (SEL) framework.

Approach to Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

We meet students where they’re at, value individual differences, and strive to collaboratively solve the problems that are interfering with their success.  This is accomplished through proactively investing time into learning the knowledge, attitudes, and skills needed to:

1. understand and manage emotions
2. set and achieve positive goals
3. feel and show empathy for others
4. establish and maintain positive relationships
5. make responsible decisions

This is done in your child’s classroom for a daily 30-minute social and emotional learning (SEL) lesson.  Graham Hill Elementary and Seattle Public Schools use the RULER and Second Step curricula. More information about social emotional learning skills

R.U.L.E.R.

Recognizing emotions in self and others

Understanding the causes and consequences of emotions

Labeling emotions accurately

Expressing emotions appropriately

Regulating emotions effectively

Counseling and Family Support Services

Graham Hill Elementary has a school social worker, Daniel Gagnon LICSW, who is a trained mental health professional that provides services and consultation to the Graham Hill community.  School Social Workers are the link between the home, school, and community in providing direct as well as indirect services to students, families, and school personnel to promote and support students’ academic and social success.  He leads the counseling and family support programs which include:

• Counseling (group, individual, crisis, grief).
• Referrals to additional mental health services.
• Mobilizing family, school, and community resources to enable the child to learn as effectively as possible in his or her educational program.
• Resource connection for school clothing, food, other basic needs.
• 504 plans for students needing accommodations at school.
• More information about SPS Mental Health Services – staff login required

Social and Emotional Learning Contacts

Rena Deese, Principal

Bethany Cooper, Teacher, SEL Tier 1 Instruction

Liberty Mighell, Teacher, SEL Tier 1 Instruction

Daniel Gagnon, School Social Worker