Lower School Mental Wellness

Welcome to the Pace Academy Lower School Counseling Corner! We strive to support the Pace community by promoting students' social and emotional wellness through programming, individual and group counseling, and partnerships with parents and teachers.

Resources for Students

Character Education
The Lower School weaves character education into all aspects of the curriculum. Character skills are implemented as teachers establish class norms and guidelines. Students practice these skills by listening respectfully to others and working collaboratively throughout the school day. Character skills are also taught through monthly classes, class conversations surrounding conflict resolution and school-wide community engagement opportunities. The counselor collaborates with teachers to offer specific classes contingent upon the needs of the students. Learn more about our Noble Knights' Pillars of Character Program.

Individual and Group Support
When teachers, parents or students identify an emotional challenge, our counselor is available to meet with and support them. Play counseling and group-play counseling help our counselor better understand and respond to the unique needs of each child. The counselor offers small group opportunities focused on specific needs such as managing big emotions, thoughts and actions as well as building skills to successfully resolve conflicts and be a good peer leader. If needed, our counselor also provides referrals to outside counseling and social-skills groups.

Mentoring Program
Upper School students involved in PASS (Pace Academy Student Support) serve as mentors to our fifth graders and meet on a monthly basis to discuss topics such as leadership, responsibility, stress, peer pressure and the transition to Middle School.

Resources for Parents

Parent Workshops
Our counseling team facilitates frequent parent workshops that address the mental wellness issues most relevant to the Pace community. 

Recommended Reading for Parents
Click here for a list of books the counselors recommend.

Book Lists
Our counselor maintains a list of books that address character education and emotional support. Is there is a book you've found helpful that is not included on this list? Send the title and author to ashley.zomalt@paceacademy.org so we can broaden our resources.Children's Books by Theme

Diversity and Inclusion Books
Online Resources

Additional resources for current Pace parents are available in the Pace LEAD and Parenting Connection sections of MYPACE (login required).

Partnerships with Teachers

Curriculum and Classroom Support
Our counselor frequently meets with teachers and designs character-education lessons to support teachers as needed.

Professional Development
The counseling office equips teachers with the resources, techniques, and opportunities they need to address issues that impact students' well-being and ensure emotional health in the classroom.