Counseling

  • The counseling department at Western Union Elementary School provides a comprehensive and multicultural school counseling program, focusing on academic, personal/social and career development within a supportive, caring and nurturing environment, so that all children achieve success in school and are prepared to lead fulfilling lives as responsible members of society. We have one full-time school counselor, Sarah Gagne (pronounced Gone-Yay). She provides classroom guidance lessons, small student groups, short-term individual counseling and crisis intervention.  

    If you are the parent of a Western Union Elementary student and have questions about your child, please feel free to call the office at 704-296-6355 and ask to speak to the school counselor.

    What does a counselor do?

    • Individual Student Counseling
    • Small Group Counseling 

    Lunch Bunch

    Our School Counselor meets with students that are new to our school.   This informal gathering  offers students a chance to meet new friends  while enjoying lunch. 

    Bullying Information

    There is a no tolerance policy for bullying at Western Union Elementary. For more information on our Anti Bullying Plan, you can access the School Improvement Plan on the WUES main page.

    Anti Bullying Websites

Confidentiality Statement

  • School counselors recognize their primary obligation for confidentiality is to the student but balance that obligation with an understanding of the family or guardians’ legal and inherent rights to be the guiding voice in their children’s lives (ASCA Code of Ethics).

    The role of the school counselor in regards to confidentiality is:

    • To support the students right to privacy and protect confidential information received from students, the family, guardian and staff members
    • To explain the meaning and limits of confidentiality to students in developmentally appropriate terms
    • To provide appropriate disclosure and informed consent regarding the counseling relationship and confidentiality
    • To inform students and the family of the limits to confidentiality when: Student poses a danger to self or others, Court ordered disclosure, Consultation with other professionals in support of the student i.e. colleagues, supervisors, treatment teams, and other support personnel
    • To keep personal notes separate from educational records and not disclose their contents except when privacy exceptions exist
    • To seek guidance from supervisors and appropriate legal advice when their records are subpoenaed
    • To assert their belief that information shared by students is “confidential” and should not be revealed without the student’s consent
    • To adhere to all laws protecting student records, health information, and special services (i.e., HIPAA, FERPA, IDEA)