School counselors work with students, teachers, staff, and parents to prepare students for their future. School counselors assist students with academic issues, personal/social challenges, and help students build career and college readiness skills. 

School counseling services include: classroom guidance lessons, short term individual counseling, small group counseling, parent consultation, parent education, and community resource referrals. 

Please Note: School counselors do not provide on-going individual counseling or therapy in the school setting. Referrals to outside agencies and services are available for your child upon request for a wide range of mental health or situational concerns.

Statement of Confidentiality:  The counseling relationship between students and their school counselor requires an atmosphere of trust and confidence. Students will be informed that exceptions to confidentiality exist in which counselors must inform others of information they obtained in the counseling relationship in order to prevent serious and foreseeable harm to students themselves or others, or if the information is legally required to be shared.

Individual School Counseling is:

• Offered in a confidential and supportive setting

• Conducted on a one-on-one basis

• Short-term in nature, and often occurs in 1-3 sessions

• Available to ALL students K-5

• Meant to meet any immediate student needs or concerns

• Not long-term therapy. For students with acute mental health issues (e.g. Eating Disorders, Abuse, Depression, Anxiety, etc.), a referral to an outside mental health provider can be provided to parents.

Please contact your School Counselor if you would like to refer your child for individual counseling, grant.andy@westada.org

These are some counseling groups I offer each year for students in grades 1-5, depending on number of students interested.  Students need signed parent permission slip to participate.  Groups typically last 4-6 weeks.

• Friendship Skills

• Changing Families (for students with divorce or stepfamily issues)

• Getting Ready for Middle School (for 5th graders moving to middle school)

• Options to Anger (anger management skills)

At Lake Hazel Elementary we are dedicated to supporting students' social and emotional needs.  Through Social Emotional Learning (SEL) we help students learn how to manage their emotions and self-regulate in times of stress and crisis.  SEL is taught through the use of Toolbox and the Zones of Regulation.

Toolbox
The Toolbox is...

Zones of Regulation
Within Zones of Regulation, students learn...

Tools for the Journey, the Toolbox Program

This year at Lake Hazel Elementary we will be learning about the TOOLS of TOOLBOX. These are TOOLS that reside within all of us. They help us develop strong social and emotional skills and meaningful, satisfying relationships. Over the coming school year, our students at Meridian will be learning about the TOOLS.

The TOOLS are simple, but just like any TOOLS, they require practice. We invite you to support your child in learning and practicing these TOOLS at home by discussing the TOOLS they are learning in school and reinforcing the use of these TOOLS. Be sure to ask your child about the hand gestures that go with each tool. 

The 12 Tools

Please ask your student about their tools and how they can use them in everyday situations!

If you have questions, please call me at 208-855-4338, or visit https://toolboxproject.com/
Andy Grant, School Counselor

West Ada School District is committed to creating a safe educational environment for all students, employees, parents/guardians, volunteers, and patrons that is free from all types of aggression.

Peer conflicts, bullying, and harassment are three different types of student aggression.

Peer conflict occurs when the aggressive behavior is a one time or isolated event. A balance of power typically exists between students involved in a peer conflict. Students involved in a peer conflict are often willing to work out the conflict with assistance or to agree to leave each other alone.

Bullying is another type of student aggression. Bullying includes aggressive behavior that is intentional, planned to result in harm, and is often unprovoked. Bullying is aggression that is carried out repeatedly over time. Bullying can be carried out by either a single individual or a group. It is common for an imbalance of power between the bully and the target or victim of bullying to exist. Bullying can be aggressive acts that are physical, verbal, or social/relationship. Cyberbullying occurs when students use electronic devices such as computers or cell phones to bully.

Harassment is another type of aggressive behavior. Harassment is specific aggressive behavior that is focused on an individual’s race, national origin, religion, color, disability, or sex. Harassment is behavior that is severe, persistent or pervasive enough to interfere with a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from school.

If your child is being bullied, the first step is to focus on your child, be supportive and listen to them in order to validate their emotions.  Through processing with your child, gather information (who, what, when, where) while discouraging retaliation from your child.  Fill out the online bullying report or contact your schools principal or assistant principal, providing as much factual information as possible.

Students, parents, volunteers, patrons, and staff are asked to immediately report incidents of student aggression including peer conflicts, bullying, or harassment to the building principal or assistant principal.

Click here to report any incidences of bullying or safety concerns

Click on the links provided for more information

Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Southwest Idaho  

 “To provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported 1-to-1 relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.”

• Students from ages 6 through 14 years can qualify

• Once matched, they will meet with a mentor 2-3 times a month for a few hours each meeting. They can do whatever the mentor and little wants to do. They often play games, go to a movie, or go to the park.

• The mentor is a positive role-model, and someone who provides support for the student.

 Boys and Girls Clubs of Idaho  

 "Our mission is to inspire and empower all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.”

• School Year Before and After School & Summer programs are available

• Financial Assistance is available for those who are eligible.

Treasure Valley YMCA

“We strengthen the foundations of community by developing successful youth, engaging people in healthy living, and instilling a commitment to social responsibility.”

• Child Development & Youth programs include child care, preschool, before & after school sports, fitness, arts, leadership, and camp programs

• Financial Assistance is available for those who are eligible.

Meridian Parks and Recreation  

 “To enhance the community’s quality of life by providing innovatively designed parks, connected pathways, and diverse recreational opportunities for all citizens”.

• Offers various classes, camps, & sports

• Financial Assistance is available for those who are eligible.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal civil rights law which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities. It applies to any school which receives federal funds. The intent of this law is to provide students with disabilities equal access to educational programs, services, and activities. Students with disabilities may not be denied participation in school programs and activities solely on the basis of disability.

For more Information about Section 504 Accommodation Plans click here - West Ada School District

Please contact the School Counselor at Lake Hazel Elementary, if you have any questions, and/or if you would like to refer your child for 504 consideration. 

• Parent and Student Rights Under Section 504

• Referral for Consideration of Section 504 Protection Form A

Who is Homeless?

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act defines “homeless children and youth” as individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. 

Anyone who, lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence may live in the following:

• In emergency or transitional shelters;

• In motels, hotels, campgrounds, abandoned in hospitals, or awaiting foster care;

• In cars, parks, public places, bus or train stations, or abandoned buildings;

• Doubled up with relatives or friends; 

• Unaccompanied Youth: Who is not living with a parent or guardian and are living in a homeless situation; 

• Migratory children living in these conditions.

Click here for more information on services and resources that the West Ada School District can offer, or contact the School Counselor at Lake Hazel Elementary, (208) 350-4075 , or grant.andy@westada.org, if you are currently experiencinghomelessness as defined in the description above.-

Please click on the links below for more information 

Self-Rescue Manual-A guide to community resources and services in Ada County and Canyon County.

The Idaho Care Line-2-1-1-Provides information on free or low cost resources and services.

West Ada School District Homeless Services-Provides helpful information on homelessness, as well as available resources and services, that support children, youth, and families, who are experiencing homelessness. Services include: free after school tutoring (for students in 3rd-12th grade, who are struggling academically based on ISAT test scores), and qualification for the free breakfast and lunch program. Parents must provide transportation. Please contact the Lake Hazel Elementary School Counselor for additional information and assistance.

Operation School Bell-The Assistance League of Boise (ALB)-Provides assistance to students who are in need of new winter clothing.  Items typically include: 1 winter jacket, 2 pairs of jeans, 2 T-shirts, socks, 1 sweatshirt, underwear, 1 shoe voucher, and a kit containing hygiene items. All items are free. Space in this program is limited, and the appointment reserved for Lake Hazel Elementary students, typically occurs within the first couple of months of school. Please contact the Lake Hazel Elementary School Counselor for additional information and assistance.

Operation School Supplies-The Assistance League of Boise (ALB)-Provides school supplies for students of families who cannot afford to purchase school supplies during the school year. To arrange for school supplies, please contact the Lake Hazel Elementary School Counselor.  

Backpack Program-Meridian Food Bank-Provides weekend food snacks, and meals, for students in need. The food sack is typically delivered to your child's school each Friday. To sign up for the Backpack Program, please contact the Lake Hazel Elementary School Counselor.  

Computers for Kids, Inc.-Provides free/reduced computers for students who qualify.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace-Builds and provides twin bunk beds for families in need.

Boise Bicycle Project-A non-profit community organization that refurbishes donated bikes, teaches bicycle education, offers youth programs, and bicycle giveaways, for kids in need.

Holiday Assistance- Community organizations begin contacting schools early in the school year, with referral deadlines typically occurring in October. Some organizations offer food boxes, while others offer basic necessity gifts for Christmas. To arrange for holiday resources, please contact the Lake Hazel Elementary School Counselor at (208) 350-4075, or grant.andy@westada.org.  

Parenting Classes,Tools, & Tips

Click on the links below to access information

West Ada School District-Tools for Parents

 West Ada School District-Parenting Classes

 Love & Logic-Quick Parenting Tips 

 Growth Mindset-How Parents Can Instill a Growth Mindset at Home

 West Ada SchoolShelf-Student Success Resources for Parents & Students

Processing Grief and Loss
Information for Parents regarding death and grief