Myakka Elementary School
37205 Manatee Avenue
Myakka City , Fl. 34251
941-708-5515
"Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all" ~ Aristotle

MRS. VELDKAMP'S COUNSELING CORNER

Be sure to get to know your school counselor, your biggest advocate!
School Counseling at Myakka City Elementary School is a comprehensive (available to all students) developmental (age-appropriate) program designed to ensure that today's students become productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow. The program is proactive and preventative in nature with a focus on academic achievement, character development, college/career awareness, and the social/emotional growth of all of our students.
Welcome,
Debbie Veldkamp
ABOUT ME

Hello and thank you for taking the time to browse my website. My name is Debbie Veldkamp and I am privileged to have been selected as the School Counselor at Myakka City Elementary School. I am a graduate of Florida State University (M.S. Elementary Education), a graduate of Argosy University (M.A. School Counseling K-12), have earned my ESOL endorsement, and am currently certified in ESE. It has been a pleasure to serve students over the years as a classroom teacher, ESE teacher, ESE Liaison, ESOL coordinator, and School Counselor. I am an active member of ASCA (American School Counseling Association) and the Florida School Counseling Association, and enjoy attending their conferences and training's whenever possible. I have taught in various schools since 1991, taking time off throughout the years to raise my own children; ages 30, 28, 24, 20, and 17. My husband and I have five adorable grandsons and enjoy spending as much time with family as possible.
I have a deep love for children of all ages and a passion for helping them grow socially, emotionally, and academically. As the school counselor at Myakka City Elementary, my job is to advocate for children and help them develop the skills they need to solve problems and overcome barriers that may impede their ability to learn.
MISSION AND VISION
Vision

The school counselor provides a program that is developmentally appropriate, available to all students, and is aligned with the ASCA (American School Counseling Association) National Model. The school counselor is an advocate for all students and partners with stakeholders to promote learning by helping to remove barriers that may impede a student’s emotional, social, and/or academic success.
Mission

In order to promote compassionate, caring, lifelong learners, the school counselor works together with all stakeholders to create an atmosphere in which individuals become responsible and successful members of their community and the world. The counseling program is driven by data and helps students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to become responsible citizens in our ever-changing world.
DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OFELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

The elementary school years are a time for children to develop the attitude, knowledge, and skills to become healthy, confident, competent, and successful learners. They are beginning to develop the Life Skills and academic skills to become successful citizens and life long learners.
What Bullying IS
Bullying is behavior that is:
· Repeated
· Intentional
· Deliberate abuse of power
Bullying can be:
· Physical – hitting, punching
· Verbal- teasing or name-calling
-Social - excluding someone intentionally, telling others not to be friends with someone
What Bullying IS NOT
It is important for both parents and students to understand that one act of aggressive behavior IS NOT bullying.


BE A BUDDY, NOT A BULLY
BULLYING

Check out these helpful links
Cyber Safety for Kids
Do:
Consider putting a Parent-Child Technology Agreement in place
Keep your address, phone number, school and other identifying information private
Remember that ANYTHING you do online can be traced back to you
Think before you type. If you wouldn’t be comfortable with what you are saying being on the front page of the morning paper, you probably don’t want to type it online
Tell your parents and/or other trusted adults if you have problems while online (cyber-bullying, harassment)
Don’t:
Share your password (parents may be the exception)
Send personal information (name, address, phone number, photographs) to strangers
Don’t go on websites that seem unsafe or make you feel uncomfortable
BULLYING RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS

Robbie White
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Payton Hillman
Family Links and Resources

ADHD
Nationally recognized authority on ADHD
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
What is ADHD?
Dyslexia
A non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals with dyslexia,
their families and the communities that support them.
The International Dyslexia Association
Students with Special Needs
PHP's mission was developed in response to the need in our community for
information, training, and support services for families who have children
with special needs and the professionals who serve them.
Parents Helping Parents
Anxiety and Stress
Worry Wise Kids
Social Media Apps
parent's guide to social media apps
Internet Safety for Kids
Hidden Apps
Counseling Services
Jewish Family &Children's Service is a multi-function family agency
serving the Suncoast of Florida. The services are based on the premise that
personnel trained in understanding the behavior and environments of individuals,can help them with crises, problems, and growth issues to improve the quality of their lives.
Centerstone
Free assessment and referral services, and assists with mental and
substance abuse issues (alcoholism, drug abuse) affecting children and adults.
Emergency Crisis- 941-747-1628
Outpatient Services - 941-782-4150
Suncoast Behavioral Health
Suncoast Behavioral Health Center’s medically supervised inpatient child & adolescent program provides psychiatric evaluation and treatment for children (5-12) and adolescents (13-17) who need 24 hour care. Call 941-251-5000
Blue Butterfly - Tidewell Hospice
Grief Support for Families
Whole Child Manatee
The Whole Child Connection is a comprehensive web-based service delivery
system that helps Manatee County families access the services they need to
enhance their quality of life or often simply make ends meet.
Florida Multi-Tiered System of Support
MTSS-Response To Intervention
Behavior
What you do to change behavior
Empowering Parents
We Care
This agency prequalifies low income citizens to receive specialized
medical care.
Phone: 941-755-3952
Autism
The Center for Autism & Related Disabilities at USF is a community-based
project that provides information and consultation to individuals diagnosed
with autism spectrum disorders and related disabilities. CARD-USF offers
instruction and coaching to families and professionals through a
training and assistance model.
Florida Kidcare - Health Insurance for Children
Anger Management
Anger management tips and techniques to decrease anger
High quality internet resources
Legal Aide Manasota
Free legal services to low income individuals and families in Sarasota and
Manatee counties who cannot afford to pay an attorney.
Growing Up Drug Free
A parent's guide to prevention
Understood -
Provides resources and support so people who learn and think differently can thrive.
Kids Kids
Health is the #1 most-trusted source for physician-reviewed information and advice on children's health and parenting issues
KidSmartz
Learn how to keep your child safe
Life Skills
Equipping Students with Skills for Life
August -Cooperation
September - Responsibility
October - Respect
November - Patriotism
December - Gratitude
January - Empathy
February - Perseverance
March - Honesty
April - Courage
May - Creativity

Just for Kids
Just for Kids
