Welcome to the JDPS School Counselor Page

Sarah Skemp- JDPS School Counselor

What does Ms. Skemp do?

  • Serves ALL students and helps them be their best
  • Conducts classroom lessons aligned to the needs of our students and school culture
  • Consults with parents, teachers, and administrators
  • Connects families with school and community resources
  • Talks with students who have a problem they'd like help solving or have something on their mind they'd like to talk about
  • Visits with students who could use care and support from an extra adult
  • Facilitates small groups built around shared needs like changing families, grief, anger management, etc
  • Counsels (short term-with parent/guardian consent) students individually
  • Teaches social skills and coping skills 
Sarah Skemp

What is a School Counselor?

A school counselor is a certified educator who helps ALL students succeed. A school counselor designs and delivers a school counseling program that supports students and improves student outcomes.

Calming Room (NEST)

What is the NEST?

It's a place where students are taught tools and strategies to help handle any class, situation, or emotional struggle that comes their way. The NEST is designed to be a positive, calming, and relaxing atmosphere.

Calm Room- NEST

Relax in a Virtual Calming Room

A Virtual Calming Room provides Coloring Pages, Guided Meditation, Yoga, Exercise, Animal Cams, Calming Music, Puzzles, Virtual Games and more!

Click the link below

Virtual Calming Room
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Lake

Zones of Regulation

Zones of Regulation
Zones of Regulations Chart

JDPS is using the Zones of Regulation as a way to help students identify how they feel to  develop strategies they can implement to make good choices and be ready for learning. There  are no “bad” zones; however, each zone helps students identify what is going on and what  strategies can be used to get back to a place of learning.  

JPDS students are learning “Blue”, “Green”, “Yellow”, and “Red” zones, with help from Inside  Out. (The printable is available on JDPS website, School Counseling tab). It can help children  express how they are feeling and increase communication between you and your child, especially  when your child may not have the words to adequately express how they feel. 

For more information you can go to: zonesofregulation.com.

Purpose Full People (Character Strong) 

Purpose Full People supports Character Education and and Social Emotional Well-Being. Our Staff will use the tools to assist in developing character and emotional skills in our students, but it can also be used for families. The Character Skills of Courage, Kindness, Perseverance, Responsibility, Honesty, Cooperation, Respect, Creativity, Gratitude & Empathy will be focused in a scope & sequence concept within the Primary and Elementary Schools.

Character Trait of the Month

JDPS focuses on a character trait each month. Teachers and staff demonstrate these traits on a regular basis; now we want students to connect the actions to a word and concept. Students will hear the same vocabulary as well as practice skills regarding key character traits that we wish for all students to embody and take with them as they continue through life. 

December Character Trait

Empathy

For more information, click on the link below to be directed to the Character Strong website

Character Strong

Helpful Information

Empathy

Click Here for Empathy Tip Sheet

Anxiety

Click Here for Anxiety Tip Sheet

Coping with Stress

Click Here for Information on Coping with Stress

ADHD

Click Here for information regarding ADHD

Counselor Corner

Contact List

 

How do I visit/talk with Ms. Skemp?

Parents and students can:

 

  • Let the teacher know you want to see Ms. Skemp.
  • Visit her before/after school.
  • See her in Room #30.
  • Call her at 928-348-7245 or email her at skemp.sarah@thatcherud.org to schedule an appointment.