School Counseling

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Recent research has consistently highlighted the significance of building the social-emotional competence of our students as a vital component of effective bullying prevention. The evidence suggests that when students develop strong social-emotional skills, they are better equipped to navigate interpersonal relationships and manage conflicts, ultimately reducing the incidence of bullying. Salem City Schools uses Second Step, a research based curriculum, to teach students how to recognize, report and refuse bullying.

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SCS Standards of Conduct

Bullying Prevention (CDC)

Stop Bullying Website

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Signs of Suicide (SOS) is an evidence-based youth suicide prevention program that has demonstrated an improvment in students' knowledge and adaptive attitudes about suicide risk and depression.  The program is designed for grades 6-12. It teaches students how to identify signs of depression and suicide in themselves and their peers, while providing materials that support school professionals, parents, and communities in recognizing at-risk students and taking appropriate action. 

Signs of Suicide

SCS Suicide Prevention Policy

Social Emotional Learning is a crucial component in the development of healthy individuals. It is a fundamental process that shapes the lives of young people and adults alike. It encompasses the acquisition and application of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that enable individuals to develop healthy identities, manage emotions, achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions. Salem City Schools uses Second Step, a research based curriculum  to teach social emotional learning. 

Visit Second Step


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We are pleased to share that we are offering a new resource to support mental health and wellness. ParentGuidance.org is free to all staff, parents, and families in our district.

South Salem Elementary School Counseling Department

1600 Carolyn Road
Salem, VA 24153

Phone - 540-387-2478
Fax - 540-389-4810

Our office hours are Monday – Friday 7:40 am to 2:15 pm.

If you feel in danger of harming yourself or others, please call 911. Other resources are Carilion Connect (540-981-8181), Lewis-Gale Respond (540-776-1100) and the National Crisis Line (1-800-784-2433). If you feel you are being physically harmed by a caregiver, you may call Child Protective Services at (1-800-552-7096).

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Mandy Dallas
School Counselor
Email Mandy Dallas

I am Mandy Dallas, a born and bred Salemite!  I graduated from Salem High School in 1992.  I studied Family Child Development with a concentration in Early Childhood Education and graduated from Virginia Tech.  I earned my Bachelor's degree in 1996 and came back to Salem to obtain a teaching position.  I was hired to teach elementary grades at G.W. Carver and taught for five years. 

In the fall of 2000, I decided to continue my education, left the classroom, and entered into the Counseling program at Virginia Tech.  I passed a Nation Board Certification in addition to becoming a Licensed School Counselor in December of 2002.  I worked as a ninth grade Counselor for a couple of years before coming back to the elementary level.

I have been the School Counselor at South Salem Elementary for nineteen years.  I put my heart and soul in every single day that I serve our students and am grateful for the Salem community and the extensive resources that are available to us. 

I am the mother of two boys, one is a sophomore at the University of Tennessee while the other is a freshman at Salem High School. I spend a lot of time as a spectator of lacrosse and basketball games, and in my spare time, I love watching my students at their dance recitals and ballgames too.   I also enjoy walking my golden retriever, Tripp, snowboarding, mountain biking, doing yoga, playing disc golf, and most recently began Stand Up Paddle boarding! 

I have an open-door policy and hope that anyone will contact me with questions or concerns for our students.  I am willing and able to process your concerns and help in anyway that I can.

The goal of the guidance program is to assist students in mastering academic, social/personal, & career developmental tasks essential for positive growth. In order to reach this goal, the school counselor works closely with parents, teachers, school administrators and other professionals to provide students with the best possible resources and services.

Elementary School Counselors provide classroom guidance, small groups, and individual counseling to implement the areas of academic and educational development, personal and social development, & career development.

The curriculum covered in classroom guidance incorporates Virginia's Standards of Learning (SOL) objectives for School Counseling Programs. All students in grades K-5 participate in 45 minutes of classroom guidance every week.

We try to incorporate the Six Pillars of Character in our discussions as we learn our South Salem Motto: Watch us S.O.A.R.! We use the Nature of Study Skills program to learn important behaviors for school success. We also learn about the importance of a growth mindsets and keeping a healthy body. The Junior Achievement program helps students in K-2 learn about financial awareness and the world of work.

Students begin a formal Academic Career Plan Portfolio in third grade as they begin researching careers based on their favorite subjects. Fourth grade students explore careers through hobbies and interests. Fifth grade students create Long Term Goal presentations and research careers based on the 16 Career Clusters. They also participate in learning Seven Steps to good study habits to get them ready to learn more independently at the middle school level.

  We are falcons!

Safety first

Offer kindess

Act responsibly

Respect yourself and others

Watch us SOAR!

SOARing in Guidance means...

Safety First:

Stay in your personal space (Hands to yourself)

Feet on the floor

Offer Kindness:

Fill a Bucket

Help others

Act Responsibly:

Tell the truth

Do what your supposed to do

Respect yourself and others:

Think about everyone's feelings

Use manners


Academic & Educational Development SOLs: Students will acquire the academic preparation essential to choose from a variety of educational, training, and employment options upon completion of secondary school

K-3 EA1 Understand the expectations of the educational environment

K-3 EA2 Understand the importance of individual effort, hard work and persistence

K-3 EA3 Understand the relationship of academic achievement to current and future successes in school

K-3 EA4 Understand that mistakes are essential to the learning process

K-3 EA5 Demonstrate individual initiative and a positive interest in learning

K-3 EA6 Use appropriate communication skills to ask for help when needed

K-3 EA7 Work independently to achieve academic success

K-3 EA8 Work cooperatively in small and large groups towards a common goal

K-3 EA9 Use study skills and test taking strategies

 

4-5 EA10 Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses related to learning

4-5 EA11 Demonstrate time management and organizational skills

4-5 EA12 Apply study skills necessary for academic achievement

4-5 EA13 Use critical thinking skills and test taking strategies

4-5 EA14 Understand the choices, options, and requirements of the middle school environment

 

Career Development SOLs: Students will investigate the world of work in order to make informed career decisions

K-3 EC1 Understand the concepts of job and career

K-3 EC2 Understand that behaviors such as punctuality, courtesy, proper dress and proper language are essential to current and future success

K-3 EC3 Understand the relationship of individual effort, hard work, and persistence to achievement

K-3 EC4 Understand the importance of teamwork in working towards a common goal

K-3 EC5 Demonstrate the decision making process

K-3 EC6 Demonstrate goal setting

 

4-5 EC7 Recognize the benefits of both individual initiative and teamwork

4-5 EC8 Recognize that the changing workplace requires lifelong learning

4-5 EC9 Identify hobbies and interests

4-5 EC10 Identify career choices through exploration

 

Personal/Social Development SOLs: Students will acquire an understanding of and respect for self and others, and the skills to be responsible citizens

 

K-3 EP1 Exhibit the principles of character, including honesty, trustworthiness, respect for the rights and property of others, respect for rules

and laws, taking responsibility for one's own actions, fairness,caring and citizenship.

K-3 EP2 Understand how to make and keep friends and work cooperatively with others

K-3 EP3 Understand that Americans are one people of many diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds and national origins who are united as

Americans by common customs and traditions

K-3 EP4 Demonstrate good manners and respectful behavior towards others

K-3 EP5 Demonstrate self-discipline and self-reliance

K-3 EP6 Identify resource people in the school and community and understand how to seek their help

K-3 EP7 Understand the importance of short- and long-term goals

 

4-5 EP8 Understand change as a part of growth

4-5 EP9 Understand decision making and problem solving strategies

4-5 EP10 Identify the emotional and physical dangers of substance use and abuse

4-5 EP11 Use strategies for managing peer pressure

4-5 EP12 Use strategies for handling conflict in a peaceful way

 

**For more information on individual or small group counseling, please contact me any time at (540) 387-2478 to discuss your child's needs. Some small group counseling needs might include but are not limited to: Children of Divorce, Anxiety, Self-Esteem, and Social Skills.