Update from School Counsellor at the half way mark of the school year

Now that February has arrived, I can only hope to improve in terms of my frequency as a blogger! I know that the blog provides a positive means of sharing information with the families of students at Athena. I have been kept busy providing services to students and families and look forward to the involvements I will have during the rest of the school year. While teachers, administration and parents/guardians tend to refer students to me through conversations in-person or telephone and e-mail communications, I do find many students feel comfortable approaching me on their own with matters of importance to them. I strive to keep families aware of students who I will be working with over a period of time. As noted in my first blog this year, I can be reached via the main school office at 888-8486 or through e-mail mtcain@edu.pe.ca.

Since my first post I have kept track of various information items that I find useful in my work and that families may also find helpful. I'm happy to share some of this resource network with you.

Information Resources:


The Canadian Mental Health Association East Prince (436-7399) has an excellent selection of brochures on most every topic related to the well-being of youth and families. They publish and regularly update The PEI Helping Tree, a listing of the many helping resources available in PEI.

Teens and Tweens is a series of interviews with experts in adolescent mental health and addictions hosted by adolescent and family therapist Avrum Nadigel.  The series is found on the Knowledge Exchange website of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.(http://knowledgex.camh.net) Some of the topics currently available are:
(1) eating disorders
(2) cyber risk
(3) internet addiction
(4) smoking
(5) substance use
(6) mother-daughter relationships
Each podcast is between 7 and 20 minutes

Agencies that support youth and families with emotional, social and physical well being:

Community Mental Health- Parents and guardians may contact this agency directly to inquire about mental health services for youth and adults. As counsellor I can also assist with referrals. The office is located behind the Prince County Hospital and the telephone # is 888 8180. In cases of urgent mental health concerns, the Emergency Department at the PCH hospital has a Crisis Response Team with qualified social workers.

Positive Parenting from two Homes- This is a cost free program offered in two 3 hour sessions, one week apart, to offer general information to parents living in two homes. Parents can contact1 877 203 8828 to find out about the times for a Summerside or Charlottetown program in the near future. A childrens' program can be provided over fours sessions at the school. As the school counsellor works with a facilitator to arrange for students to attend a childrens' program, please contact me so I am aware of your interest in having your child participate should a small group program be offered this school year.

Family Ties- Previously known as Family Focus, this Summerside based program serves youth age 12-16 within the context of the family. It is intended to help families learn new skills through several hours of weekly intervention over a period of 10-12 weeks. To learn more, contact one of the three Social workers involved with this service at 888-8480.

Health PEI-Community Youth Addictions Counsellor Brandi Milligan was one of two presenters who provided drug awareness sessions to all Intermediate students at Athena in January. Brandi is available to assist youth and families at convenient late afternoon, evening and week-end times. She can be reached at 902 438-4183 or blmilligan@ihis.org.

School Counsellor's Introduction

I am pleased and privileged to be starting my third year as school counsellor at Athena Consolidated. Before coming to Athena, I was employed as school counsellor in three elementary schools in Western PEI. Prior to obtaining my Masters in Education with a Specialization in Counselling, I was employed by the Western School Board in various Grades 1 to 9 assignments including Special Education/Resource, classroom teaching and administration. As I have experience in various areas of schooling, I strive to be very approachable and natural in my counselling assignment. I believe it is important that students, families and staff  regard me as another helpful person in their school community whom they can interact with in a comfortable and meaningful way. While I work from my office setting, I am quite visible within the whole school setting.

My role as school counsellor allows me to be involved in a variety of activities that support the well being of  students from grades Kindergarten to Nine. The Minister's of Education Directive, outlined in the PEI Department of Education document School Counselling Services Standards and Guidelines states: "The primary goal of school counselling services is to enhance and promote student learning. School counselling services are designed to provide supports and resources to students at all grade levels, to their families and educators. These services are intended to facilitate the educational. personal, social, emotional and career development of students in schools and in the community."

 Referrals to counselling can be made by staff, parents and guardians, community agencies and students themselves. A student may choose to speak to trusted adults or peers about what is shared in a counselling session but I am bound to respect confidentiality. When appropriate, I will ask for the student's permission to share information that may be helpful in resolving a situation. Like any adult who has reason to believe a student may be at risk, instances may arise where I have a duty to report. At times I may facilitate a referral to an outside service should that be more appropriate than school level counselling. I will inform parents and guardians of students should I intend to be involved with a student over a period of time.

While I meet with many students for individual counselling, there are times when I work with students in small groups or work with classroom teachers in providing classroom based programs. I serve as the Advisor to the Grade Nine students who work as Peer Helpers in their assigned elementary classes; collaborate with the Grade Nine Homeroom Teachers to provide a transition process for students from Intermediate to Senior High; and arrange for school presentations to students on topics that promote positive youth development.  This year I look forward to working with a dozen Intermediate students who have volunteered to be part of an Outreach Club who will be involved in tasks that promote caring and respect for all within our school, school community and broader society.

As the year unfolds, I will use this blog to share information about counselling related services, resources and events that may be relevant and helpful to youth, parents/guardians and educators. I am excited to be part of a caring and vibrant school community. Feel free to contact me at Athena between Monday and Thursday by phoning 888- 8476, e-mailing  mtcain@edu.pe.ca or by meeting for a scheduled conversation at school.

Ms. Margaret Cain
School Counsellor
B.Ed    M.Ed   CCC