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Welcome

 Guidance Department

 
Director of Elementary Education & Assessment
Kelly Kawalek
609-538-9800 x 1406
 
Secretary to the Director
Deborah Beck
609-538-9800 x 2121
         

Supporting Our Students Through Loss and Grief

During times of grief, adults often struggle with what to say to a child who may be struggling with grief. Younger students may have more difficulty understanding death and may experience misinterpretations when death is explained.  Older students may experience feelings of guilt or blame.  Providing a safe and non-judgemental environment to talk about any feelings of anxiety, regret, guilt, sadness or anger can be very helpful in supporting grieving children of all ages (National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement, 2022).

Here are some additional resources for parents and guardians supporting students who have experienced grief and loss:

Dismantling Three Grief Myths
 
How to Talk with a Child about Grief
 
Movement Activities for Grieving Children
 

 

Additional Counseling Resources

 
Perform Care: Perform Care partners with the New Jersey Children's System of Care (CSOC) to coordinate the care of your child. We are committed to helping children with behavioral, mental health, or emotional challenges gain access to the services they need.
Phone- 1-877-652-7627
 
Center for Counseling Services
George Scott
Fee for Service - sliding scale option
609-771-0444
850 Bear Tavern Rd, Trenton, NJ
 
Millhill
Medicaid
609-989-7333
101 Oakland St, Trenton, NJ

Restoring Spirit
Emily Anne Matteck
Fee for service - sliding scale option
609-468-6676
Pennington, NJ
 
TCNJ Counseling Clinic
The College of New Jersey offers a counseling clinic for community members to address a variety of mental health and behavior challenges. Couples, family and individual counseling is available for a short or long term basis.
Phone- 609-771-2700
 
 

 

Parkway Elementary School

Guidance Department

 
Parkway Guidance Counselors
Birgitta Donato 
(609) 538-9800 x 5110
 

 

Mrs. Donato holds a Master of Arts in Counselor Education, with a specialization in School Counseling from The College of New Jersey, and completed her counseling internship at Bartle Elementary School in Highland Park, NJ, during the 2010-2011 school year. While completing her undergraduate degree, she attended Rutgers University in New Brunswick, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in both Psychology and Criminal Justice. Mrs. Donato began working in the Ewing School District during the 2012-2013 school year, and is available to meet the academic, behavioral, and social needs of all students.
Please feel free to reach out to Mrs. Donato at any time if you have any needs or concerns that you would like to discuss. bdonato@ewingboe.org or 609-538-9800 x5110
 

 

Andrew Unger
(609) 538-9800 x 6110
 

 

 

Having attended Parkway School as a student, Mr. Unger is honored to serve the community as a school counselor. The 2026-27 school year marks his fourth year as a counselor in the Ewing Public Schools, and his first year as a counselor at Parkway. Mr. Unger holds an M.A. in Counselor Education specializing in School Counseling from The College of New Jersey and is recognized as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) by the National Board for Certified Counselors. A longtime advocate for youth, Mr. Unger has volunteered as a Crisis Counselor with Crisis Text Line and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.


● 609-538-9800 ext. 6110
● aunger@ewingboe.org