This year we are focusing on Social and Emotional Learning through the Second Step Program. Click the link below to find out more about Second Step curriculum and find our current unit of study for each grade!
School Counseling Office
S.OCIAL E.MOTIONAL L.EARNING
WELCOME TO THE GRAND ISLE SCHOOL COUNSELING OFFICE
Brian Berlinger, M.Ed, bberlinger@gisu.org
School counseling is an opportunity for students to meet with a school counselor to process daily challenges that are interfering with their academic experience or emotional wellness. Counseling sessions occur during the academic day. Counseling is therapeutic in nature and student driven. Parental consent is required and all sessions are confidential. While counseling is therapeutic, school counselors are not licensed to diagnose students and there is no treatment plan (as opposed to licensed clinical mental health counselors or social workers who have a diagnosis component to their work and create treatment plans to guide therapeutic work).
Dear 6th Grade Families:
Please click here for a booklet created last year by David Mills and the GISU School Counselors in regards to school choice. This booklet has all the information about area middle schools and high schools. Parents are required to register their child(ren) at the school of their choice before the start of 7th grade and fill out the tuition voucher form as well as resident verification form.
I have created examples of how to fill out the tuition voucher form and the resident verification form. Please click this link for an example. I will reach back out in January to talk in greater detail about the registration process and if shadow days are an option this year.
Best,
Mr. Berlinger
What is Confidentiality?
Confidentiality means that whatever students talk about in sessions remains between the student and the counselor. Parents are welcome to ask questions about the themes or nature of the work and are asked to respect the boundaries of confidentiality.
How do I refer my child to counseling?
Please reach out to your learner's classroom teacher or Brian Berlinger with any questions or inquiries.
I feel my child would benefit from additional counseling. How do I get assistance with this?
Please feel free to ask Brian Berlinger for recommendations, your child's PCP or reach out to NorthWest Counseling and Support Services 802-524-6554
CRISIS LINKS
NCSS Crisis Support Line, available 24/7:
802-524-6554 or text 741741
The Trevor Project: Crisis Support for LGBTQ Youth
866-488-7386 or text START to 678678
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-8255 or Chat Online Here
Meet Brian Berlinger, School Counselor
This is my first year as a School Counselor! and I am very excited to begin my career here! I enjoy teaching social and emotional learning to students because I feel the skills learned in class are important for students in their development as humans. I love to ask students to lead Socratic style discussions at the end of each class and observe them debate their responses!
Before becoming a School Counselor, I lived in Bowling Green, Ohio throughout my undergraduate degree in Psychology and my Master of Education in School Counseling. I obtained my Master degree and knew I wanted to move to Vermont; luckily CIUUSD was kind enough to let me join the family!
I live in Georgia and get to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Route 2 every morning. Certainly not a bad way to start my day! I enjoy skiing, photography, cooking, playing my violin, and spending time with my family.
SCHOOL COUNSELING GROUPS
Contact Brian Berlinger for more information
Social Skills Group
Students develop and enhance prosocial behaviors surrounding taking turns, listening to others, regulation skills and communication skills in a small group setting
Emotion Management and Regulation Groups
Students enhance their abilities to identify feelings in self and others, communicate feelings, cope with emotions, develop calming/coping strategies.
May be offered as solely an Emotion Management Group or a Regulation Group
Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Affinity Group
Brings students together who may have a similar background and identify as BIPOC