Psychological Services

Ms. Aimee Hart, Ed.S. School Psychologist

Vidalia City Schools currently employs one full-time school psychologist who serves all four schools within the system. The school psychologist provides direct support and interventions to students, consult with teachers, families, and other school-employed mental health professionals (i.e., school counselors, school social workers) to improve support strategies, work with school administrators to improve school-wide practices and policies, and collaborate with community providers to coordinate needed services. The school psychologist helps schools successfully:

Improve Academic Achievement

  • Promote student motivation and engagement   
  • Conduct psychological and academic assessments   
  • Individualize instruction and interventions   
  • Manage student and classroom behavior   
  • Monitor student progress   
  • Collect and interpret student and classroom data   
  • Reduce inappropriate referrals to special education.

 

Promote Positive Behavior and Mental Health

  • Improve students’ communication and social skills   
  • Assess student emotional and behavioral needs  
  • Promote problem-solving, anger management, and conflict resolution   
  • Reinforce positive coping skills and resilience   
  • Promote positive peer relationships and social problem solving   
  • Make referrals to and help coordinate community services provided in schools

 

Support Diverse Learners

  • Assess diverse learning needs   
  • Provide culturally responsive services to students and families from diverse backgrounds   
  • Plan appropriate Individualized Education Programs for students with disabilities   
  • Modify and adapt curricula and instruction   
  • Adjust classroom facilities and routines to improve student engagement and learning   
  • Monitor and effectively communicate with parents about student progress

 

Create Safe, Positive School Climates

  • Prevent bullying and other forms of violence   
  • Support social-emotional learning   
  • Assess school climate and improve school connectedness   
  • Implement and promote positive discipline and restorative justice   
  • Implement school-wide positive behavioral supports   
  • Identify at risk students and school vulnerabilities   
  • Provide crisis prevention and intervention services

 

Strengthen Family-School Partnerships

  • Help families understand their child's learning and mental health needs   
  • Assist in navigating special education processes   
  • Connect families with community service providers when necessary  
  • Help effectively engage families with teachers and other school staff   
  • Enhance staff understanding and responsiveness to diverse cultures and backgrounds   
  • Help students transition between school and community learning environments, such as residential treatment or juvenile justice programs

 

Improve School-Wide Assessment and Accountability Monitor individual student progress in academics and behavior

  • Generate and interpret useful student and school outcome data   
  • Collect and analyze data on risk and protective factors related to student outcomes   
  • Plan services at the district, building, classroom, and individual levels


Today’s youth encounter many different types of challenges. Counseling may be beneficial for a variety of difficulties our students may face, including anxiety, depression, and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD). The following is a list of local providers available for a variety of counseling services.

Georgia Crisis & Access Line                      1-800-715-4225          www.mygcal.com

Help is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week for problems with mental health, drugs, and/or alcohol.