Contact Me
    Welcome!

    Hey students and families!  My name is Esmeralda Tapia and I am Carus Elementary School's Counselor!  I am beyond grateful to be considered a part of this amazing community.  On this page, you'll find information related to events happening at Carus, resources available, and how to get connected.For more information about the resources available, or what the counseling program is all about in general, please reach out to Ms. Tapia directly!

    Parenting Advice from Ms. Watson

    If children are going to survive and thrive in tomorrow’s complex world, they need to practice solving as many problems as possible… today! The following process is designed to get kids thinking more about their problems than we do.

    Step 1: Provide a strong and sincere dose of empathy.

    Empathy allows the child to stay calm enough to solve the problem… and learn from it. Experiment with saying something like:

    Oh no. This is a problem. I bet that’s really upsetting.

    Step 2: Hand the problem back.

    After you have proven that you care, ask:

    What do you think you might do to solve this problem?

    Don’t be shocked if the child mumbles, “I don’t know.”

    Step 3: Ask permission to share what “some kids” have tried.

    Avoid giving suggestions until you have asked:

    Would you like to hear what some other kids have tried?

    Step 4: Provide two or three alternatives for solving the problem.

    Remember to avoid resistance by saying:

    Some kids decide to______________​_______.

    How would that work for you?

    Step 5: Allow the child to solve or not to solve the problem.

    Resist the urge to tell the child which alternative to pick.

    End the session by showing your faith in the child and say:

    Good luck! Let me know how this turns out.

    WHAT DOES A SCHOOL COUNSELOR DO?

    School counselors help to support the social, emotional and academic needs of all students. We accomplish this by providing

    • Classroom lessons
    • Individual counseling
    • Group counseling
    • Crisis intervention
    • Consultation with parents and teachers
    • Coordination with outside agencies and therapists
    • Referrals for community resources

    All counseling and group sessions in a school setting are short-term in nature, and focus on solutions to help students succeed socially, emotionally and academically. School counseling activities help students gain confidence in their ability to interact with others, learn how to solve problems, manage and work through feelings, develop coping and calming skills, recognize their strengths, and much more!

    Topics covered include friendship, empathy, calming strategies, problem solving, diversity, kindness, self-esteem, resilience, optimism, career interests and personal safety.

    The school counseling program at Carus Elementary School is aligned to the standards set forth by the American School Counselor Association's (ASCA) National Model.

    OUR VISION
    _The Canby School District Comprehensive Counseling Program is crucial to current and future student success. Building effective relationships that provide personalized, meaningful, and equitable support empowers all students with the foundational skills for continued lifelong learning and success as productive contributors to their families and greater communities._

    OUR MISSION

    The Canby School District’s Comprehensive School Counseling Program’s mission is to provide a safe, nurturing and supportive environment for all students, by proactively and effectively partnering with other educators, parents, and community stakeholders. We support the academic and career success of all students through their social and emotional growth.