Hello Hilltop Families!
My name is Mrs. Lanka, and I’m your child’s School Counselor!
I’m so excited to get to know you and your child!
Please read on for more details about our School Counseling program...
VISION/MISSION STATEMENT
Over the course of the year, various different lunch bunch group topics will be offered. Lunch bunches will occur for approximately two-month sessions. You will always receive an email stating what topics are being offered and you will have the opportunity to sign your child up for the group. Your child's teacher can also recommend their students based on their work with them in the classroom as well.
Throughout, you will receive email communications sharing the skills/strategies your child is working on to help you further implement and reinforce the strategies at home.
Each month I will also provide a Character Education lesson to every classroom. Character Education helps children to become responsible, contributing, and caring members of our school community as well as in the world. The school works together to develop positive character traits in our very own students and staff that will then be further carried on in their own lives. Character Education encompasses a variety of Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) skills that help create a positive social climate. As a school, we will focus on one pillar at a time that will be further taught throughout the school day. Class lessons taught by the School Counselor help educate the whole child on the monthly school-wide pillars that focus on specific skills, including self-awareness/management, social awareness/relationship skills, and responsible decision making. Around the hallways, you can see reminders and words of encouragement to promote a positive, uplifting environment based on respect and love for one another.
Hilltop has been named a New Jersey School of Character as well as a National School of Character. Hilltop students and staff model the character pillars daily while also demonstrating character education development beyond the classroom but in every aspect of their day. They are encouraged to show respect, kindness, and compassion towards themselves and others which promotes a feeling of family here at Hilltop.
Throughout the year, students have access to a school-wide bulletin board that focuses on the pillar of the month and involves each student demonstrating their use of the pillar. Additionally, our fourth-grade students take part in leading a “Whole School Morning Meeting” three times a year becoming mentors to the younger grades by displaying their knowledge of the character education pillar.
At the end of every month, look for the “Counselor’s Corner” section of Mr. Mucha's Hilltop Highlights! It will update you on any new counseling news as well as what lessons were taught in each grade level. Additionally, you will be provided with important reminders or helpful information from that month to keep open communication throughout the year.
Nicole Lanka, School Counselor - Hilltop Elementary School
Email: lanka@mendhamboroschools.org
Phone: (973) 543-4251 x150
I look forward to helping your children learn and grow at Hilltop Elementary!