Mental Wellness
We believe all students deserve to learn in a safe, secure emotional environment.
At Avon Schools, we want all of our students to succeed not only academically but socially and emotionally as well. So, our Mental Wellness staff partners with families/caregivers, educators, support staff members, and community providers to ensure our students are surrounded with what they need to thrive.
The Mental Wellness Team focuses on three areas:
- Empowering students to recognize and build their mental wellness through small group, individual, and/or skill-based lessons
- Strengthening the school-family partnership through education, outreach, and connection with community resources
- Building relationships and supporting school staff mental wellness through outreach, education, and conversation
If you think your child could benefit from additional mental wellness support, please reach out to your school counselor for more information. Feel free to browse through this page to learn how we support our students' wellness. If you have questions, need support, or want more information, please contact us.
Introducing ParentGuidance.org
Raising a child can be difficult, and we all need partners to help us along the way. ParentGuidance.org is an excellent, convenient resource that we encourage you to check out. The website contains parent coaching, online courses, therapist Q&A, and much more.
See the sidebar of this webpage (or scroll down on your mobile device) to view a collection of helpful resources.
School Counselors & Social Workers
AHS
Webpage, (317) 544-5000
Counselors
Candace Gadomski-Emmert, Director, ext. 5051
Tonya Bess, ext. 5055
Alexis Borcherding, ext 5060
DuShaun Goings, ext. 5052
Jon Hathaway, ext. 5053
Tiffany Haulton, ext 5058
Melissa Hernandez, ext 5057
Greg Hines, ext. 5056
Emily Hjerpe
Emma Myers, ext. 5061
Tiffany Raidy, ext. 5059
David Thompson, ext. 5054
Social Workers
Tahirah Purifoy-Jack, ext. 5322
AMS North
Webpage, (317) 544-5500
Counselors
Andrea Davasher, ext. 5517
Allison West, ext. 5516
Social Worker
Jennie Gooding, (317) 544-5890
AMS South
Webpage, (317) 544-5700
Counselors
Myia Girton, ext. 5717
Paul Quirke, ext. 5715
Social Worker
Colleen Ray, (317) 544-5915
AIS East
Webpage, (317) 544-5800
Counselors
Jennifer Pfledderer, ext. 5819
Troy Warthan, ext. 5828
Social Worker
Koretta Thomas, ext. (317) 544-5915
AIS West
Webpage, (317) 544-5900
Counselors
Melissa McCullough, ext. 5928
Brookly Miller, ext. 5929
Social Worker
Koretta Thomas, ext. 5915
Cedar
Webpage, (317) 544-6200
Counselor
Allison Osterburg, ext. 6233
Social Worker
Jaime Howell, (317) 544-6234
Hickory
Webpage, (317) 544-6300
Counselor
Claire Kaiser, ext. 6320
Social Worker
Jessica Perkins, (317) 544-6429
Maple
Webpage, (317) 544-6400
Counselor
Laura Samide, ext. 6420
Social Worker
Sara Buchta, (317) 544-5429
Pine Tree
Webpage, (317) 544-6500
Counselor
Amber Wetzel, ext. 6520
Social Worker
Sara Buchta, (317) 544-5429
River Birch
Webpage, (317) 544-6800
Counselor
Kyle Kopke, ext. 6820
Social Worker
Jessica Perkins, (317) 544-6429
Sycamore
Webpage
(317) 544-6600
Counselor
Sarah Altman, ext. 6620
Social Worker
Jaime Howell, (317) 544-6234
Virtual Calming Space
Many of our schools and even our classrooms have created mindfulness or calming areas for students and/or staff. Please feel free to visit this calming space any time you need to take a break. There are a variety of resources, including sounds, images, writing activities, visual relaxation, guided focus activities, and movement breaks. We will be adding new resources regularly, so check back often!
This is a place where you can virtually go to help calm and regulate yourself. We want to help you to be able to recognize, identify, and safety respond to your feelings.
How does social-emotional learning help students?
We support students as they build five core competencies: self-management, self-awareness, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. School counselors support these efforts by collaborating with teachers to deliver these lessons to students during the school week.
ACSC firmly believes in educating the whole child. In order for a child to be available for learning experiences, they must first feel safe, regulated, and ready to interact socially with others. Taking time to intentionally teach these social-emotional skills to our students will help prepare them for the best possible learning environment.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about social-emotional learning at ACSC, please reach out to your school counselor.
Our Mission
We work to increase awareness, accessibility, and support to improve mental wellness as a school community. We do this through empowering students, strengthening the school-family partnership, and building supportive relationships to improve staff mental wellness.
Contact Us
Krista Fay
Mental Wellness Coordinator
Parent/Caregiver Resources
Avon Mental Wellness Updates
![river birch elementary]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1744815622/avonschoolsorg/kdqj4mksaflz5t4nz8fc/RiverBirchRAMP1600x900px.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1744815622/avonschoolsorg/kdqj4mksaflz5t4nz8fc/RiverBirchRAMP1600x900px.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1744815622/avonschoolsorg/kdqj4mksaflz5t4nz8fc/RiverBirchRAMP1600x900px.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1744815622/avonschoolsorg/kdqj4mksaflz5t4nz8fc/RiverBirchRAMP1600x900px.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1744815622/avonschoolsorg/kdqj4mksaflz5t4nz8fc/RiverBirchRAMP1600x900px.png","width":1600}])
Avon Schools has once again earned a place in the national spotlight. River Birch Elementary School was recently informed that it has earned a 2025 Recognized ASCA Model Program designation.
![staff members with gifts]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1734123583/avonschoolsorg/mtqxiybqw4poz4uqohkp/HolidayHelp1600x900px.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1734123583/avonschoolsorg/mtqxiybqw4poz4uqohkp/HolidayHelp1600x900px.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1734123583/avonschoolsorg/mtqxiybqw4poz4uqohkp/HolidayHelp1600x900px.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1734123583/avonschoolsorg/mtqxiybqw4poz4uqohkp/HolidayHelp1600x900px.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1734123583/avonschoolsorg/mtqxiybqw4poz4uqohkp/HolidayHelp1600x900px.png","width":1600}])
One of the most remarkable things about the Avon-Washington Township Community is the willingness of individuals, businesses, and institutions to step up and help when neighbors are in need. The Holiday Help Program is one more example of our community in action.
![Mrs. Gorgas and Mrs. Kopke with award plaque]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733320955/avonschoolsorg/cerdgjyomz3hdleydge7/RBGoldStar1600x900px.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733320955/avonschoolsorg/cerdgjyomz3hdleydge7/RBGoldStar1600x900px.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1733320955/avonschoolsorg/cerdgjyomz3hdleydge7/RBGoldStar1600x900px.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1733320955/avonschoolsorg/cerdgjyomz3hdleydge7/RBGoldStar1600x900px.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733320955/avonschoolsorg/cerdgjyomz3hdleydge7/RBGoldStar1600x900px.png","width":1600}])
The IDOE, IASP, and ISCA recognized River Birch Elementary with a Gold Star Award "for creating and sustaining a comprehensive school counseling program that advances the achievement, well-being, and career/postsecondary readiness of ALL students."