School Counselor
School Counselor at Sand Point Elementary
Our School Counselor, Keri Kochvar (Counselor Keri), works with students Kindergarten through Fifth Grade to support their social and emotional growth in classroom, group, and individual settings.
Social-Emotional Curriculum
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Recognizing, Understanding, Labeling, Expressing, and Regulating emotions (RULER) : Sand Point teachers and staff are regularly teaching and reinforcing emotional and social awareness with our students using RULER in addition to other materials. Counselor Keri Kochvar teaches weekly SEL lessons which cover three domains:
Academic Skills (Prefrontal Cortex Practice) WeThinkers, etc.
- Learner Skills
- Executive Functioning skills
- Being a part of the group plan
College and Career Readiness
- Exposure to types of colleges (HBUs, Community Colleges, etc)
- Exposure to other post-secondary options
- Exposures to multiple types of careers
- Self-interests explorations
Social/Emotional Development (Amygdala Practice) MindUp, Kelso’s Choice, RULER, etc.
- Brain Science
- Mindfulness
- Exploring feelings and our thoughts, body actions, sensations
- Recognizing, Understanding, Labeling, Expressing, and Regulating emotions
- Conflict Resolution
Social-Emotional Small Groups
Counselor Keri works with classroom teachers, staff, and students to identify students that will benefit from additional social skills support in a positive and guided setting. Small group skills can include but not limited to:
- Self-Control
- Self-Esteem
- Relational Aggression
- Social Skills
Individual Student Check-Ins
All students have access to check with Counselor Keri for support with things such as conflict with peers, uncomfortable emotions, or family stressors outside of school. Students may request to talk with Counselor Keri by filling out a “Let’s Talk” form on the outside of the counseling office door. She will connect with students as soon as she becomes available. Parents and teachers may also reach out about specific concerns. While she is unable to provide long-term counseling, she can offer limited problem-solving sessions with a student. Below you’ll find a list of outside agencies and play groups, if you believe your child would benefit from an outside therapist.
Counselor Keri can also help connect you with resources in our community. Please reach out if you are needing confidential support for any of the following:
- Community counseling or social supports
- Transgender and LGBTQ resources
- Housing, food and finances
- Family stress or violence
- Self-harm or suicidal thinking
Community Resource List
Please note that this is a resource list and none of the providers are affiliated with or endorsed by SPS.
Social Skills Groups
NE Seattle Counselors and Psychologists
Children’s Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Outpatient Clinic
Seattle Childrens, Sand Point location
206-987-2164
Accepts Medicaid, Apple
(Also try Children’s Overlake location, sometimes less wait)
Ryther Child Institute
Ryther
Main: 206-525-5050
Lake City location
Accepts Medicaid, Apple
ABCD
Multidisciplinary Practice for Child Behavior/Development
ABSD Seattle
Northgate location
206-3616-884
Seattle Psychology
206-420-4701
Seattle Psychology, Wallingford location
Sound Mental Health
Northgate Location
206-302-1900
Sound Mental Health
Accepts Medicaid, Apple
Community Psychiatric Clinic
Community Psychiatrics
206-461-4544
Northgate, Lake City and Wallingford locations
Accepts Apple, Medicaid
University of Washington Psychotherapy Clinic
University if Washington Psychotherapy Clinic, University District location
Provides mental health services to children, adults and families
2nd Year PhD Graduate Students
Affordable Sliding Scale
206-543-6511
Center for Human Services
Center for Human Service, Shoreline location
206-362-7282
Accepts Apple, Medicaid
Why might families contact the counselor?
There are many common challenges that students experience as they make their way through elementary school. Our counseling program aims to assist with these issues and to alleviate the struggle that kids undergo. The following are some reasons families might contact the counselor:
- Difficulty making friends
- Academic concerns
- Family changes (moving, death, divorce, etc.)
- Home stress
- Bullying
- Resources or referrals to community agencies
- To discuss special needs for your child
- If you are homeless
- Crisis
- Behavior concerns
Emergency Contacts
If you are in need of help and it is after school hours, please use the following resources
Crisis Line: 206-461-3222
Child Protective/Family Reconciliation Services:
Day: 1-800-609-8764
Night: 1-800-562-5624
Other Types of Assistance Such as Food, Shelter, Clothing, and Healthcare:
Dial: 211 or 206-461-3200
Police Department Emergency : Dial 911