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Guidance

Lexington Elementary Schools Counseling Department
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Carolee Balliett        This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Leslie Miller              This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 
About your Elementary School Counselors:
  
 
Carolee K. Balliett, LISW-S
Licensed Independent Social Worker
 
 
Mrs. Balliett has worked in the school setting as a counselor for over 10 years and continues to work part-time as a clinical counselor in a private practice. Mrs. Balliett strongly believes in a systems approach and works closely with parents, teachers and the individual to address concerns that impede the academic process. 
 

Mrs. Balliett recieved her B.S. in Psychology from Wright State University in Dayon, Ohio and holds a Masters of Social Work and Masters of Family Relations and Human Development from The Ohio State University.  Mrs. Balliett's email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or she can be reached at (419) 884-2020 ext 3430.

 
Leslie Miller, LISW
Licensed Independent Social Worker
 
    This is Mrs. Miller's second year at Lexington Local Schools.  Prior to being a school counselor, Mrs. Miller worked for over 10 years as clincial counselor at a residential facility and a treatment foster care agency. 
 
    Mrs. Miller recieved her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work at Malone University located in Canton, Ohio and her Master of Arts in Social Work at The Ohio State University.  Mrs. Miller can be contacted through email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or ext 4430.
 
 
 
  
Excellent Schools, like Lexington, aim to address academic and social barriers to ensure students perform to their potential.  Your Lexington school counselors provide services that help in achieving this mission in the following ways:

 

1. Work with students individually.
  • Assist students in understanding and accepting self and others
  • Provide crisis intervention
  • Assist with conflict resolution
  • Help students develop safe anger management skills
  • Help at-risk students develop appropriate social interaction skills
  • Connect students and their families to community services
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2.  Work with students in small groups.  The peer group is a natural part of child development.  Educational and supportive groups allow for students to gain and perform problem-solving skills.
 
3.  Work with students in their classrooms.  Excellent social and emotional skills boost academic achievement.  There are several evidence-based school guidance classroom lessons.  These proven programs will be the the foundation of the curriculum.  Lessons are tailored to each developmental level.  Some lessons will be specific to an incident or issue relevant to a particular grade level; others will be general issues that influence all grade levels.  Refer to website:  www.committeeforchildren.org  to see the main reference source for classroom guidance lessons.
 
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4.  Help promote the school-home connection. 
  • Develop trusting partnerships with families and caregivers.
  • Listen to concerns of family and help problem solve.
  • Assist family in utilization of community resources to strengthen the family and student.
  • Secure access to programs available and/or work to develop needed programs as identified by caregivers, parents, and families.
5.  Provide services mandated by the federal education act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
 
  • School counselors participate in special education assessment.  This may include involvement/support in Individual Educational Planning (IEP) meetings, and other meetings with staff and families to address special accomodations needed for students' behavioral and emotional health.
  • Identify factors in child's living situation and/or school situation that impinge upon his/her education.
  • Mobilize family, school, and community resources to enable the child to learn as effectively as possible.
  • Assist i social developmental assessments to determine factors which may affect child's ability to learn
  • Assist in developing positive behavioral intervention strategies
 Where are the Counselors?
 
Monday- Mrs. Balliett at Western Mrs. Miller at Eastern
Tuesday- Mrs. Balliett at Central Mrs. Miller at Eastern
Wednesday- Mrs. Balliett at Central Mrs. Miller at Eastern
Thursday- Mrs. Balliett at Central Mrs. Miller at Eastern
Friday- Mrs. Balliett at Western Mrs. Miller at Eastern
* Crisis situations take priority over all things.  If a counselor is needed in a building that is not covered that day, one of the counselors will travel to that building as soon as possible.
 
More Help:
 
School Counseling aims to reduce the barriers students' face that inhibit their learning.  Often school counseling can support and help change situations, but for many problems, it is not enough.  Please call your school counselors for referrals to outside resources if your student(s) or family members need more intensive services.
 
Reading helps:
 
With young children, guided readings with a trusted family member can help many children cope with difficult issues such as: divorce, death, anxiety and worrying, and dealing with anger, to name a few.  Contact either Mr. Zupan or Mrs. Miller for suggested books that can be helpful to kids and their families. 
 
Helpful Websites for information regarding children's mental health:
 
 
 
RED FLAGS in children's behavior:
  • frequent and unexplained headaches, stomachaches
  • significant weight gain or loss
  • feeling sad, hopeless, weepy, or empty
  • unmerited feelings of being "bad" or "stupid"
  • changes in sleep patterns/problems with sleeping
  • unprovoked anger or aggression
  • refusal or reluctance to attend school, skipping school
  • dropping out of favorite activities
  • withdrawal, little interest in playing with others
  • running away
  • cutting, self-injury, threats of self-harm
  • sudden drop in grades or change of behavior
  • self-destructive behavior, including drug and alcohol
  • difficulty with relationships
  • antisocial or delinquent behavior
  • inattention to appearance or grooming
  • risk taking behaviors with little thought of consequences
  • extreme sensitivity to rejection or failure
  • slowed physical responses or increased physical agitiation
  • social isolation

from Mental Health America of Summit County 

 

School Counseling is limited in the services provided.  It is not a substitute for on-going, intensive behavioral health needs.