Student Counseling Services
St. John XXIII provides a comprehensive school counseling program that includes students receiving individual counseling for a variety of reasons. School counseling services are short-term services aimed at helping students academically, socially, and personally within the school community. School counselors do not diagnose any mental health disorders nor are school counseling services a substitute for treatment for mental health disorders. Some of the issues that have been addressed in individual counseling sessions include, but are not limited to: divorce, coping strategies, social skills, behavior, study skills, time management, problem solving skills, and anxiety/stress. Students can be referred for individual counseling services by a teacher, parent or be self-referred. Parent permission must be given before a student receives individual counseling services. If you are interested in your student receiving individual counseling services, please contact Mrs. Burkhalter at jburkhalter@stjohn23rd.school.
The Role of the School Counselor: American School Counselor Association: The Role of a School Counselor
September Counseling Corner | October Counseling Corner
Small Group Counseling
St. John XXIII Catholic School provides a comprehensive school counseling program that includes small group counseling. Small groups are chosen based on teacher recommendations, needs assessments, and observations. Small groups meet once a week and typically run about six to eight weeks. Small groups are typically run over students’ lunch and recess, however, there may be some cases where students may be pulled out of class for the small groups in which parents will be informed. Small group topics may include but are not limited to friendship groups, social skills groups, emotional regulation groups, leadership groups and more. Parent permission must be given before a student participates in a small group.
Ozaukee Family Services
St. John XXIII recognizes that a student’s education can be impacted if their mental health and social-emotional well-being is compromised. To provide on-site mental health resources for students, St. John is pleased to host Ozaukee Family Services for students for on-site counseling during school hours. Counseling services are run independently of St. John XXIII.
For more information on Ozaukee Family Services or on payment information, please visit their website at https://www.ozaukeefamilyservices.org or contact them at 262-376-7774.
If you are interested in on-site counseling services for your student, please contact Mrs. Burkhalter at jburkhalter@stjohn23rd.school for a referral. v
Meet Gracie
CLICK HERE for the article in the Ozaukee Press!
We are thrilled to announce a wonderful addition to our school community: Gracie, an English Cream Retriever! Gracie is not just any furry friend; she’s a certified therapy dog through Pets Helping People. She’s been a beacon of comfort and joy at various events, including Comfort Days at UWM and Concordia University, where she engages with students. Gracie also spends Tuesdays at Lincoln Elementary School, helping students work on their reading skills, and on Fridays, she brightens the day for students at Port Washington High School during lunch and exam times. She extends her heartwarming visits to hospice patients and will soon become a therapy dog at Aurora Hospital in Grafton.
Partnering with Gracie is Mrs. Michel, a retired School Counselor with 29 years of experience in the Port Washington-Saukville School District. Together, they embark on a new journey focused on promoting kindness, respect, and happiness within our school community. With Gracie as her four-legged companion, Mrs. Michel is excited to collaborate with our students and staff. The possibilities for PAW-sitive impact are endless!
Parent Resources
- Academic and Career Planning
- Gracie
- Bags in Backpacks
- Speak Up Speak Out
- Beta Club
- Virtual Calming Office
- Counseling Corners
- Mental Health Resources
- Call 211 to access family, health, and social service resources.
- 988: The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, is a resource for reaching trained crisis counselors who can help with suicide, mental health, and substance use-related crises. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
Food Resources
- St. John XXIII
- 262-284-1148
- 1800 N. Wisconsin Ave, Port Washington
- Tuesdays 9:30-12 and 4-6 pm
- Family Sharing Food Pantry:
- 262-377-0634
- www.familysharingozaukee.org
- 1002 Overland Court, Grafton
- Call or complete an online referral to schedule food pick up. Must be an Ozaukee County resident.
- Ozaukee Food Alliance
- 262-689-8591
- www.ozaukeefoodalliance.org
- 166 W. Dekora St., Saukville
- Check the online calendar for pantry hours and dates. Must be an Ozaukee County resident.
- Foodshare (SNAP)
- Ozaukee County Department of Human Services
- 262-284-8200
- 121 W. Main St, Port Washington
- dhs@co.ozaukee.wi.us
Housing, Shelters, Rent Assistance
- Family Promise of Ozaukee County
- 262-268-2723
- familypromiseozaukee.org
- 136 W Grand Ave, Port Washington, WI 53074
- Mr. Bob’s Under the Bridge
- 414-207-6615
- mrboboutreach@gmail.com
- Provides clothing and personal care items
Utilities
- WE Energies Pay Assistance
- 800-242-9137
- we-energies.com
- Payment assistance/budget. Applications are available on the website.
- Salvation Army
- 262-552-6802
General & Financial Assistance
- Aging and Disability Resource Center of Ozaukee County
- 262-284-8120
- ozaukeecounty.gov/ardc
- Ozaukee Family Services
- 262-376-7774
- ozaukeefamilyservices.org
- Salvation Army
- 262-552-6802
Classroom Guidance Curriculum: Character Strong
St. John utilizes Character Strong for students’ social emotional curriculum. Every month, a new character trait is introduced that students get a chance to explore through different lessons. Elementary students have weekly Character Strong lessons corresponding to the trait of the month. Each week, all students are given a “character dare” to complete which corresponds to the trait of the month. Middle school students also have weekly Character Strong lessons. Their lessons include topics relating to bullying prevention, building community, values, emotional regulation, goal setting, and more.
- August: Kindness Kick-Off
- September: Respect
- October: Responsibility
- November: Gratitude
- December: Empathy
- January: Perseverance
- February: Honesty
- March: Cooperation
- April: Courage
- May: Creativity
- June: Kindness Closure