Take a Summer SELFIE: 6 Tips for a Happy, Healthy Summer

S. Sleep: Make sure you get enough sleep! Kids typically need 9-10 hours.
E. Exercise:  Get your body moving and keep your heart and muscles in shape.  Exercise also makes you feel happier!
L. Light (Sunlight):  Get at least a little bit of sunlight each day.  Use sunblock when you'll be outside for more than a short time.
F. Fun:  Take advantage of the break to do fun activities you enjoy.  Try to find a new hobby or interest.
I. Interact:  Get together with friends and family.  Social interaction is important to our mental health.
E. Eat well:  Make sure to eat a good amount of fruits and vegetables as part of a balanced diet.  Don't forget to stay hydrated too!

You can keep track of your Summer S.E.L.F.I.E. by printing the chart below.
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Have a great summer!!

The Great Kindness Challenge 2021

During the last week of January, 2021, our school participated in the Great Kindness Challenge, a worldwide kindness initiative.  We completed an impressive 5,000+ acts of kindness during the week-long challenge!

School Counseling Services Available at EES

Classroom Lessons
 Once a week, I visit each classroom and teach a 30 minute lesson on social emotional and academic skills. For lesson summaries click here.
Small Group Counseling
With parent permission, students may participate in short-term, small group counseling focused on topics such as friendship skills and anxiety at school.
Individual Counseling
With parent permission, students may participate in short-term, solution-focused individual counseling to help them learn and practice skills to succeed at school.
Community Resources 
For students and families struggling with hardships, I can help direct them to helpful resources. See the Community Resource page .

Why Elementary School Counselors? 

"The elementary school years set the foundation for developing the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary for children to become healthy, competent and confident learners. Elementary school counselors have an impact on these years by implementing a school counseling program and collaborating with school staff, parents and the community to create a safe and respectful learning environment. By providing education, prevention, early identification and intervention, elementary school counselors help their students achieve academic success, develop an understanding of career opportunities and develop social/ emotional skills in response to issues they face. "

Source:  The Essential Role of Elementary School Counselors, American School Counseling Association​ 

What do school counselors teach?

 One major responsibility of elementary school counselors is to give classroom guidance lessons to all students in the school.  At EES, I have 30 minutes each week with every 1st-6th grade class and 20 minutes every other week with each kindergarten class.  The following image shows the four "Utah College and Career Readiness Student Mindsets" that we focus on as school counselors in Utah.  All of my lessons with fall into at least one of the four mindset categories. For more info on the specific lessons I am teaching, click here.
Image Source: College and Career Readiness School Counseling Model Second Edition, Utah State Board of Education

About Me

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Hello! My name is Anena Gardner, and this is my second year as counselor at Enterprise Elementary.  Previously I worked as a Behavior Coach at Escalante Valley Elementary School. 
​I graduated with my M.Ed. in Education Psychology, with an emphasis in School Counseling, in May 2020 from the University of Utah (go Utes!).  I got my B.S. in Marriage, Family, and Human Development at BYU (go Cougs!) and my A.A.S. in Family Science at BYU-Idaho (I ♡ BYU-I!)
Elementary school counseling is my dream job.  I feel very fortunate to continue working as your full-time school counselor! I am here to help, so let me know what I can do for you.