Counselor Corner

Mrs. Jennifer McVey

Oaks Elementary School Counselor

(610) 705-6179

jmcve@spring-ford.net

Mrs. Kristen Crescenzo

Oaks Elementary School Counselor

(610) 705-6008 ext. 2572

kcres@spring-ford.net

The 5 C's of the Elementary School Counselor
1. Counseling for children: classroom lessons, individual counseling, small group counseling
2. Curriculum for children: relevant to their developmental needs, Pro-Social program
3. Consultation: parents, administrators, teachers, school psychologists, social workers, medical professionals, health agencies
4. Coordination: testing and assessment, observations, meetings between school and home and parent education programs relevant to needs
5. Collaboration: parents and outside agencies, team member at school, liaison between school and home

About Mrs. McVey

I attended West Chester University - Elementary Education and Master of Science in School Counseling. I have worked in the Spring-Ford Area School District since 1995. I began my educational journey, student teaching and long term substituting, at Brooke Elementary. I then joined the Oaks Family, teaching 1st grade for 11 years. The opportunity to change roles occurred in 2007 when I became the school counselor. Our community has grown and changed over the years, yet it has continued to remain generous, dedicated, accepting and supportive. I hope you enjoy your time at Oaks as much as I do!

Counselor Responsibilities

Brief Individual Counseling
Small Group Counseling
Provide Crisis Intervention
Assist with Behavioral Concerns
Classroom Counseling Lessons
Coordination of services with various agencies
Consultation with Administration, Teachers, and Parents
Testing and Assessment as part of data collection
Conduct student observations
Manage Special Education Referrals and Case Histories
Lead and facilitate the Pro-Social Program
Compose and oversee 504 Plans
Member of the Instructional Support Team
Maintain student records

About Mrs. Crescenzo

Hello families! I was so excited to join the Oaks Elementary Community as a school counselor in 2021. This year I am working with students in Kindergarten, grades 2 and 3 for counseling lessons.

I have a Masters of Education in School Counseling with certification in grades K-12 from West Chester University. I received my Bachelors degree in Psychology, and Minor in Education from Arcadia University. My husband and I live in Plymouth Meeting with our “Halloween cat” named Boo! When I’m not working, I love traveling! My favorite place to visit is Jackson Hole, Wyoming! My favorite part about being a school counselor are getting to know all the students and watching them grow and become their best selves!. Please let me know if there is ever anything I can do to help support your child!

Mission Statement: The goal of the Spring-Ford Area School District counseling program is to facilitate the academic, personal, social and emotional development of each student. Through developmentally appropriate lessons, which are proactive and preventative in nature, enhanced with individual and small group counseling when applicable, students are given the tools to make informed academic choices and become life long learners. Counselors work with teachers, administrators, parents and other school personnel to create an environment conducive to learning and to promote the development of positive self esteem and healthy behaviors. We are committed to supporting students in realizing their potential and enabling them to become connected, caring, and contributing members of our society.

Introductory Information:

Dear Parent:

As we begin a new school year, we would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the Oaks Family. As school counselors, we have the pleasure of working with every student at Oaks Elementary, along with many of their parents.

In the role of school counselor, our job involves a variety of duties. Some of these include:

Conducting classroom counseling lessons at all grade levels. These lessons cover a variety of topics, such as skills for learning, emotion management, empathy and problem solving.
Meeting with students, either individually or in small groups, to discuss concerns and brainstorm solutions. These meetings occur through student self-referrals or at the request of a parent or teacher.
Informal assessing of students’ abilities and achievement. In addition to conducting assessments, I assist parents and staff members in interpreting the results.
Being a member of the Instructional Support Team; a group of staff members who meet with the student’s parent(s) to determine what interventions can be utilized in order for each student to reach their maximum potential.
Communicating between the home and school as it is important for student success. Consulting with teachers, on a regular basis, is in the best interest of our students as well as collaborating with parents as a liaison between home and school.
Providing referral options to outside agencies upon parent request.

During the course of the school year, making it a point to get to know each student. Sometimes, “lunch bunch” sessions take place while providing a relaxed atmosphere to socialize and get acquainted. The students truly enjoy this opportunity and look forward to attending!

We are advocates for the children of Oaks Elementary. If you have a question or concern, please don’t hesitate to contact us, either by telephone at 610-705-6179, or via e-mail at jmcve@spring-ford.net or kcres@spring-ford.net

We look forward to working with you and your children this year. Best wishes for a fantastic school year!

Mrs. Jennifer McVey
610-705-6179, jmcve@spring-ford.net

Mrs. Kristen Crescenzo, kcres@spring-ford.net
610-705-6008 ext. 2572

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