The counseling program at St. Bernard Academy is available to help students, parents, and teachers develop positive learning experiences. Religion, science and all teachers are all involved in the counseling of students.
The lower levels will work on topics including Honesty, Feelings, Working out Problems, and Bullying. The upper levels will cover topics including alcohol and drugs, bullying and conflict resolution. The “Smart at Last” program, mandated by the Diocese of Nashville, will be used at all levels.
Sister Jeannine will interview every student in levels 1-8 individually to discuss topics including interests, career and school choices, friends, and other topics pertinent to the developmental age of the student.
Small group counseling sessions are available for students who are experiencing trouble with resolving conflicts among themselves. The Rainbows program is available for students with grief issues. The counseling office makes referrals for students who have problems requiring clinical help.
The Rainbows program is a weekly support group for children, kindergarten through eighth level. Rainbows is an international program for children who are experiencing grief, either through divorce, or loss of a friend or loved one.
Even though death, divorce or losses appear to be only grown-up problems, they have a profound effect on the children touched by these experiences. Because of their age and short life experience, children find it extremely difficult to verbalize their feelings of grief. Rainbows helps children put their feelings into words, work through their grief, build a stronger sense of self-esteem, and begin to accept what has taken place.
If a child is part of a single parent family, a stepfamily, has experienced the death of a loved family member, friend or sibling, or is struggling with a painful experience, this program is an opportunity for him/her to share on the outside what is happening on the inside.
