The mission of the School Counseling and Child Development Program at Bellview Elementary begins with providing a network of supports to ensure that each and every student gains the academic, interpersonal, social, and emotional skills needed to pursue and achieve lifelong goals as productive, involved members of their communities. Our program’s vision, to address the needs of 100 percent of the student population, is an integral part of the instructional program and the total educational experience. We will accomplish this by delivering structured activities based upon the needs of each student (including developmental, preventative, and remedial/responsive services); providing accountability and continuous improvement through annual review of student progress; collaborating with administrators, teachers, parents, students, and the community in ways that best support the growth and success of our students; and supporting a whole-child approach to learning that ensures achievement (particularly by working to close equity and opportunity gaps), a sense of purpose, connectedness, and well-being.

For more detailed information about how we support student at students at Bellview, printable handouts and other great information, CLICK HERE. For more information about me please see my parent letter below.

Michelle Bolinger
Child Development Specialist

Phone: (541)482-1310
Extension: 4139
Email: Michelle.Bolinger@ashland.k12.or.us
bellviewschoolcounseling.weebly.com

Dear Bellview Parents and Guardians,
 
          Hello, and welcome to a new school year! My name is Michelle Bolinger, and this will be my second year as Bellview’s Child Development Specialist (School Counselor)! I am so grateful to be part of such an amazing team of educators, and thrilled to be working with a GREAT group of students!
 
          First, I’d like to tell you a little bit about myself. I have two wonderful children, a devoted partner, one dog, and two cats. I am a Southern Oregon native; I love our local geography, and I am passionate about our community and the families who call Southern Oregon their home. I enjoy music, traveling, camping, gardening, cooking (and eating), and spending time with friends and family. I am currently completing my final year of a three year MS in School Counseling program through Oregon State University. Prior to my career as a Professional School Counselor, I worked as a Family Advocate for Southern Oregon Head Start, and volunteered on several local committees focused on improving the lives and well-being of local children and families.
 
          I am a firm believer that social emotional wellness and academic success go hand-in-hand; the cultivation of these types of skills improves your child’s ability to learn, and also leads to positive outcomes throughout life. During the 2016/2017 school year, I will support students’ needs and social emotional skill attainment in a variety of ways: individual counseling sessions, small groups, whole class lessons, crisis interventions, etc. If your child is referred to me for individual sessions or small groups, I will contact you prior to our first meeting, and ask that you complete an “Informed Consent” form (fancy way to say permission slip). If you would like me to work with your child, please fill out a “Parent Referral Form”. You will find a copy of this form attached to this letter, on Bellview’s Child Development and School Counseling website (bellviewschoolcounseling.weebly.com), and in the front office – just ask Meg.
 
          If you have any questions, or would just like to introduce yourself, please feel free to email me at michelle.bolinger@ashland.k12.or.us or leave a note in the mailbox on my office door. Due to my limited schedule, please allow up to 48 business hours for a response.
 
Sincerely,
 
Michelle Bolinger
CDS and School Counselor
Bellview Elementary
541-482-1310 EXT. 4139