Peninsula School K-8
Devin Harkness, School Counselor
This will be Mr. Harkness's third year working in PPS, and his second year at Peninsula K-8. He got his B.A. in Creative Writing from The University of Washington in his hometown of Seattle, and got his Master's in School Counseling from Portland State University. When he is not hanging out with students at Peninsula, Mr. Harkness can be found performing improv comedy at a local theater, riding his bicycle, and remodeling his hundred-year-old, Woodlawn house. One of his favorite learning experiences was in 5th grade when his family moved out of the United States and Mr. Harkness spent a year living and going to school in Tianjin, China.
Counseling Welcome Letter
Dear Peninsula students and families,
My name is Devin Harkness and I am excited to be back as your Peninsula K-8 school counselor. I am here on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesday mornings. My office is just past the main office. Please feel free to stop by to check in. If I am not in my office, please email dharknes@pps.net, call 503-916-6275, or put a note in my mailbox, and I will respond as soon as possible.
I am here to help Peninsula K-8 be a great school, and that means supporting students and families. All students can come to me to talk about anything: School, grades, identity, family troubles, sex, problems with friends, bullying, drugs, depression, gangs, anxiety, and more. For our younger students, I will visit classes throughout the year to talk about friendship, feelings, and communication. For our 7th and 8th grade students, I am teaching a weekly class which will focus on career exploration, conflict resolution, and high school preparation. I will also work with students one on one and in groups, and will collaborate with teachers and parents to make sure each Peninsula K-8 student has the support he or she needs to have a successful year.
The things we talk about will be confidential, which means I will not share them with anyone. What is said in my office, stays in my office. There are three times when I may need to share information with an outside person for help. First, if I near about a student who is planning to hurt someone; Second, if I hear about a student who plans to hurt himself or herself; Third, if I hear of a child who is being abused.
I take a collaborative approach to problem-solving. I work with students and families to figure out strategies that will work now to make things better. I focus on strengths—what a student does well—and build upon that.
I encourage you connect with me on the porch before or after school, or to stop by my office. Also, feel free to email or call me any time to talk, or to set up a time to meet me in my office.
See you at school!
Devin Harkness
Peninsula School Counselor
Mon., Tues., and Wed. afternoon
503-916-6275 ext. 77439
