Mental Health and Emotional Support Services

The Nichols Counselor/Wellness teachers will adapt in-person counseling and classroom Wellness classes to meet New York State guidelines for safety and social distancing from a trauma informed and social emotional learning (SEL) platform. We recognize both students and teachers have and will experience a significant amount of change and are sacrificing “normal” behaviors for the common good. The counselors will collaborate with the school community to provide a safe and trusting environment for all involved.
 
 
Individual Counseling

In-person sessions will have to be kept to a maximum of 15 minutes with students if held in our offices. Sanitization will occur between consecutive student sessions, and there will be a set amount of time with no students in the offices should consecutive sessions need to occur. Outside space will be used as often as possible. If more than a brief session is required, we will move to a larger space or continue by using a confidential Zoom or phone call. Virtual counseling will be available during a hybrid or online school protocol via Zoom. CORE Team members will follow the same protocol. Counselors will work closely with the School Nurse, teachers and administration to address any needs or emergency issues.

Group Counseling

“Lunch bunch” groups are an integral component to the 5/6 program. Students will continue to participate in these groups during lunch on campus and virtually, if necessary.

Wellness Classes

Given that the counselors do not have classrooms, Wellness is taught in borrowed rooms. Nichols will provide a designated space for each counselor to put down items for teaching so as not to use the classroom teacher's desk. Smartboard items will need to be sanitized prior to use. Students will need to be assigned personal wellness textbooks as opposed to a classroom set. Wellness teachers will follow the Nichols classroom protocols.

Programming

Off-campus speakers will not be permitted to appear at Nichols. Any Wellness programming will take place in safe places and will be integrated within regular academics through teacher training.

Trauma-Informed School

The guiding principles of a trauma-informed school are that we work as a system to reduce likelihood of re-traumatization. Trauma can take many forms and we need to bring to light that students and teachers experienced massive change over the last few months. Leading with a trauma-informed framework means ensuring safety, choice, collaboration, trustworthiness and empowerment. The concept is similar to “universal precautions,” in treating the entire community with dignity and inclusion, while recognizing that a student’s adverse situation or inability to cope will likely affect their ability to learn.

Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) refers to the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

Within the Trauma-Informed/SEL framework, the counselors will guide our school in helping to provide an atmosphere where individuals feel validated while we coach everyone in how to make responsible choices for community safety. We will offer teacher training to become a trauma-informed school, to learn about student mental health, teacher self-care and teacher burnout and social and emotional learning.
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About Us

Nichols School is a nationally recognized college preparatory coed independent school with a 130-year history.