Skip To Main Content

Desktop Translate

Mental Wellness

student talking to counselor

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

mom and daughter

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.

ParentGuidance.org

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
Angie Creed, Director, ext. 5051
Tonya Bess, ext. 5055
Kenneth Cook, ext. 5060
Nathan Ellis, ext. 5056
Judy Garcia, ext. 5058
DuShaun Goings, ext. 5052
Emma Groff (Myers), ext. 5061
Jon Hathaway, ext. 5053
Randi Perry, ext. 5057
Tiffany Raidy, ext. 5059
David Thompson, ext. 5054

Social Workers
Tahirah Purifoy, 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
Megan Emrich, ext. 5929
Melissa McCullough, ext. 5928

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?

social emotional learning competencies

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

mental wellness info and support
bullying safety button

Parent/Caregiver Resources

Avon Mental Wellness Updates

solar eclipse

Avon will experience totality during the total solar eclipse on April 8. It's exciting to be in the path of such a rare event. Let's plan together so we can all enjoy it safely.

substance abuse workshop

Don't miss out on a crucial informational presentation that could make all the difference in your child's life. Join us for an informative and enlightening session on current drug trends among teenagers.