Guidance and Counseling
Gina Davis
School Counselor
M.Ed, M.S. School Counseling
(207) 923-3200
gdavis@vcsvikings.org
Jamie Routhier
School Counselor
M.Ed, M. S. School Counseling
(207)923-3302
jrouthier@vcsvikings.org
What is School Counseling?
School counseling is a service that is available to each and every student in our school. Counselors assist students with any personal or academic concerns they have which affect the student’s ability to focus on their schoolwork. We also serve as liaisons between students, teachers, parents, and community resources.
Guidance Counselor vs. School Counselor...what's the difference?
COUNSELING REFERRALS
Crisis Hotline Toll-free 24/7 1-888-0568-1112
DHHS – Child Protective Hotline Toll-free 24/7 1-800-452-1999
Gina Davis, PreK-3 School Counselor:
I am beyond excited to begin year twenty-two in education at VCS as one of our school counselors. This year I will be providing classroom lessons, small group counseling, and one-on-one counseling services to our PreK-3 students. I will also continue to provide support for individual and group counseling services to our grades 4-8 students when needed. I travel to VCS each day from Skowhegan where I live with my family. I am a mom of two humans (Nora 14 & Emmett 12) and four animals (2 dogs & 2 cats). I enjoy learning and have a love for music, dance, theater, art, athletics (go Celtics!), history, and people that I share with students and staff.
Jamie Routhier, 4-8 School Counselor:
I am a 16 year veteran teacher who has taught both first grade and 7th and 8th grade social studies. I am new to VCS this year, coming from Oakland. I live in Winslow with my family and am so excited to work with the students and community that have created such a wonderful environment in Vassalboro. I will focus most of my lessons on grades 4-8 at VCS, but will be known and accessible to all students. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything, we are here to support you and your child throughout their educational journey.
Mental Health Supports
Crisis Hotline Toll-free 24/7 1-888-0568-1112
988 (formerly called the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) offers free, confidential, 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress.
Reach out directly to get help for domestic violence by using one of these resources, or call the statewide domestic violence helpline: 1-866-834-HELP.
Through support, education, and advocacy NAMI Maine is dedicated to building better lives for the 1 in 4 Mainers who are affected by mental illness.
VCS School Counseling Beliefs
The counselors at Vassalboro Community School (VCS) believe:
Every Student is unique, worthy of dignity and respect
Every student shall have equal rights and opportunity to participate in the school counseling program
Every student regardless of sex, class, socioeconomic status, cultural, racial, and special needs is accommodated in the school counseling program
Every student is capable of success
The counselors at Vassalboro Community School VCS will:
Provide a safe learning environment for every student
Provide services and support based on the needs of students and the school community gathered from data
Structure the Comprehensive School Counseling Program based on the ASCA National Model to ensure that it is effective, and that student needs are being met
Advocate for students, teachers, parents/guardians, administrators, and the community so that every student will succeed
Participate in training, enrichment, and professional development activities to enhance the effectiveness of the counseling program
Vision
The vision of the VCS School Counseling Program is to provide a developmentally appropriate, preventative, responsive and comprehensive program that cultivates academic, personal/social, and career connections for all students. Through advocacy, character development, leadership, and collaboration, self- awareness and academic achievement will evolve within a data-driven, multi-tiered rigorous educational environment and support system. Our vision is that this will ensure that all students understand and embrace their own value and have an intrinsic motivation to contribute to their community and a diverse world, as they become members of a global workforce. (MCSCP Model K-12, 2021)
Mission
The mission of the school counseling program is to provide a safe, positive, and challenging learning environment of respect and caring for all students. Students reach their individual potential and become lifelong learners who are self-reliant, creative, and responsible citizens. The VCS school counseling program partners with staff, families and community members and uses data to provide equitable access to resources and success for all students in the academic, personal, and social/emotional domains throughout their lives. (MCSCP Model K-12, 2021)