Garland Elementary has announced its proposed meeting schedule for the 2025-26 School Community Council and outlined a school counseling program focused on prevention through character education and mental health support. The school's counseling initiative emphasizes teaching eight specific character traits to students to foster responsible and caring community members.
School Community Council Schedule
The Garland Elementary School Community Council has established a meeting schedule for the 2025-26 school year. According to the school, meetings are scheduled to take place at 3:30 pm in the Garland Conference Room. The proposed dates for the upcoming cycle include Sept. 29, 2025; Oct. 20, 2025; Nov. 17, 2025; Feb. 23, 2026; March 23, 2026; and April 20, 2026. The school's next scheduled meeting is set for March 23, 2026.
Council Duties and Regulations
The School Community Council is tasked with several regulatory and advisory duties. These responsibilities include developing a School LAND Trust Plan, assisting in the development and implementation of a Staff Development Plan, and creating a Child Access Routing Plan for the elementary level. Additionally, the council is responsible for developing a Reading Achievement Plan and advising school and district administrators and the School Board when appropriate. The council also has the authority to create subcommittees and task forces as needed.
School Land Trust Background
The School Land Trust Program is a key component of the council's work. Under Utah law, School Trust Lands were granted by the United States to each state joining the union. When Utah entered the union, it was granted four sections—each representing one square mile of land—per township. Since the year 2000, state law has required every public school in the district to establish a School Community Council at the school level.
Council Membership and Participation
The current School Community Council for Garland Elementary includes Mallory Larson (Parent Year 1), Alex Larson (Chair, Year 1), Brooke Thompson (Parent, Year 1), Danielle Taylor (Vice-Chair, Year 1), Ben Olsen (Parent, Year 2), Nathalia Soares (Parent, Year 2), Jacquie Miller (Parent, Year 2), and Sara Merrick (Parent, Year 2). Staff representation includes teacher Cindy Fonnesbeck (Year 1) and Principal Vanica Crane. The school invites parents to join the council to directly influence how school funds are spent.
Counseling and Character Education
The Garland Elementary counseling program is designed around a prevention-based model. The school counselor's role involves spending the majority of time in classrooms teaching character education, working with small groups based on student need, and providing one-on-one support. The character education curriculum focuses on eight specific traits: optimism, kindness, humility, forgiveness, compassion, empathy, patience, and gratitude. This curriculum also includes lessons on bully prevention.
Student Support Services
Small group counseling sessions are offered to students to help develop academic, social, or emotional skills. These groups typically consist of three to six members and meet once a week during prep time to ensure students do not miss core instruction. Available topics for these groups include anxiety, friendship, emotion regulation, anger management, and social skills. For students requiring more intensive support, one-on-one counseling is available as a short-term, solution-focused service lasting two weeks or less.
Referral and Attendance Support
Students can access counseling services through three primary methods: self-referral via a form at the counselor's office, teacher or staff referrals, or parent/guardian referrals. The school provides a mental health screening form for parents who feel their child needs extra support to connect with district Licensed Clinical Social Workers. Additionally, the school maintains an attendance group where students can earn prizes through daily check-ins to encourage consistent school attendance.
