League Elementary honors counselor

NORWALK — League Elementary School recently recognized school counselor Cheryl Englehart during National School Counseling Week. The school celebrated what administrators said has been a strong first year for Englehart working with sixth-grade students. To mark the occasion, every sixth grader was invited to write a message of appreciation on a paper leaf. The notes were later displayed on a hallway Support Tree, a reminder of counseling's role within the school community, according to a social media post by the district. Principal Heather Loomis said Englehart made an immediate impact after stepping into the position. "She jumped in feet first and is doing a wonderful job," Loomis said. Among the initiatives Englehart introduced is a social and emotional well-being group aimed at helping students build foundational life skills. "She has started a social and emotional well-being group, and the students learn things like what is a trusted adult and what is a mentor," Loomis said. Englehart also helped launch Kepler's Korner, a student-written newsletter named after the school's facility dog, Kepler. "The students write the entire newsletter and she gives them guidance," Loomis said. "The newsletter garnered a lot of excitement." Creating an environment where students feel comfortable seeking help has been central to Englehart's approach, according to Loomis. "She gives the kids a safe space, where they can defuse problems and get support before something becomes a bigger problem," Loomis said. "That safe space, a place where students aren't penalized for a different point of view, is very important." Credit to Kepler and others Before transitioning into education, Englehart worked as a clinical mental health counselor, providing direct patient care. While the school setting differs, she said the goal remains similar. "Each patient got an entire hour, I wish I could spend that amount of time with each of our students," Englehart said. She described her primary focus as teaching children "how to regulate emotions so they can learn better." For that, she has a partner, enter Kepler, Norwalk City Schools' certified facility dog — a partner she credits with a large share of their successes. Englehart is also the primary handler for Kepler, who lives with her when he is not at school. She emphasized that facility dogs undergo a rigorous selection process. "Kepler is not a therapy or service dog; he is the cream of the crop," she said. "Trainers choose which animals become certified school facility dogs, and then they choose potential service dogs from the group that don't make the cut." Handlers complete five days of intensive training before working with the dog, she added. "When Kepler enters a classroom, you can feel the emotional regulation of the classroom change," Englehart said. While she was honored by the recognition, Englehart pointed to the broader team supporting students. "We have a lot of excellent school counselors who are an integral part of students' academic success," she said. "I am just part of those great counselors, along with Jackie White, the family liaison. They all deserve recognition as well." For Loomis, the student messages posted along the Support Tree captured what staff members see daily. The display included this message: "Thank you and Kepler so much for your continued dedication to the well-being and safety of us at League."