LaGail Wright

Counselor

lagail.wright@toombs.k12.ga.us 

Education:

Bachelor's Degree - Psychology, Ashford University

Master's Degree - Education, Ashford University

Master's Degree - School Counseling, Walden University

Professional:

12 years counseling experience

4 years school counseling

8 years clinical mental health counseling

Mrs. Wright is married to Reverend Alonzo Wright, Sr.  They have two daughters, Michaela and Alona, and a granddaughter, Zuri Noelle.

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The Counseling Program at Lyons Upper Elementary School is based on the ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs (used with permission)

A school counseling program recommends counselors spend most of their time in direct service to and contact with students. Therefore, school counselors' duties are focused on the overall delivery of the total program through guidance curriculum, individual student planning and responsive services. A small amount of their time is devoted to indirect services called system support. In addition, the LUES counselor works on attendance and will be contacting parents concerning their child's attendance at school. At certain times during the year there will be mediation meetings to help control excessive absences and tardiness.

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What is bullying?  As defined by the American Psychological Association, bullying is a type of aggressive behavior that takes place when an individual intentionally causes someone else discomfort on repeated occasions. People can experience bullying at any stage of life, but it most commonly happens among school-aged children. Students may begin exhibiting bullying behavior as early as preschool and kindergarten; if left unchecked, the behaviors tend to escalate and increase as they grow older.  

 Bullying can be exhibited through physical, verbal, or social hurt. Sometimes kids have bad days and may be mean to others but that does not necessarily mean that an act of bullying occurred. In order for a behavior to be considered “bullying,” three things must be true:

1. The behavior is unwanted and aggressive

2. There is an imbalance of power (e.g. physical strength or popularity)

3. The behavior happened more than once or there is potential for it to happen more than once

By law, all schools are required to have anti-bullying policies in place. These will vary by individual school, but common components include:

1. A mission statement, where the school outlines how students will learn in a safe and bully-free environment

2. A code of conduct, where expected students behaviors are laid out in detail

3. A bill of rights, a short and memorable document outlining the individual rights of students and how they can expect to be treated by teachers, staff and fellow students while at school

4. A reporting system, with a clear and standardized protocol for students to report rule violations.

The “Bully Box” is a place where kids can report any bullying that they may have seen first- hand or bullying that has been happening to them.  It is not required for a student to sign the form if they would like to remain anonymous.

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Loneliness among young children is very common.  A study found 80 percent of the kids between 8 and 10 years who were interviewed described being lonely at some point at school.

And it’s also common for children to go off by themselves when they’re feeling sad, and what they really need is for someone to notice. The benches give children a safe, nonjudgmental place to retreat. The “Buddy Bench” has been a way that we can build a positive environment among the students. If a child needs a friend, they can sit on the buddy bench as a signal to other kids that they are looking for a friend.  Once a child is asked off the bench to come play, the hope is that they’ll have the confidence to go play with their new friends again the next day.

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Are you feeling sad, angry, lonely or frustrated?  We all are going to have these feelings, plus many more!!  I want you to find this page helpful and possibly fun at times.  Sometimes, we will have good days and not so good days, and I want you to know that there is help available for you.  Click on any link below to find the help you need.

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