Counselors Connect
Rudder Middle School Counseling Department
What we've been up to:
Students also celebrated Random Acts of Kindness Week on campus. Each morning during announcements, Rudder theater students challenged their peers with ideas of how to perform a random act of kindness for that day on campus.
Our Ranger Pearls Girls helped by creating our "Compliment Box" and passed out candy to students for writing a compliment to someone. During lunch students had an opportunity to write a note of appreciation to a staff member or friend on campus.
Our awesome Student Council members decorated the halls with random notes of awesomeness and positive affirmations to help brighten up everyone's day.
Thank you Rudder Community!
National
School Counselors
Week
How the counselors have helped this year so far.....
Classroom Guidance lessons presented: 201 (32 in February)
Responsive Services: 1,031 students seen (325 in February)
Small counseling groups: 6
New students enrolled: 134 (17 in February)
Parent Education Events: 5
What's Coming Up!
Counselors are preparing to present classroom guidance this spring on Vaping Awareness. Their presentation will include common myths and facts about vaping, school and legal consequences, as well as mental health and other health related consequences to vaping.
If you would like more information about vaping, please visit:
Tips on how to talk with your child about e-cigarettes:
START THE CONVERSATION - Find the right moment.
ASK FOR SUPPORT - Not sure where to begin? Ask your health care provider to talk to your teen about the risks of e-cigarettes.
Why don’t you want me to use e-cigarettes?
• Science shows that e-cigarettes contain ingredients that are addictive and could harm different parts of your body.
• Right now, your brain is still developing, which means you are more vulnerable to addiction. Many e-cigarettes contain nicotine, and using nicotine can change your brain to make you crave more nicotine. It can also affect your memory and concentration. I don’t want that for you!
• E-cigarettes contain chemicals that are harmful. When people use e-cigarettes, they breathe in tiny particles that can harm their lungs.
• The cloud that people exhale from e-cigarettes can expose you to chemicals that are not safe to breathe.
What’s the big deal about nicotine?
• Your brain is still developing until about age 25. The Surgeon General reported that nicotine is addictive and can harm your brain development.
• Using nicotine at your age may make it harder for you to concentrate, learn, or control your impulses.
• Nicotine can even train your brain to be more easily addicted to other drugs like meth and cocaine.
Aren’t e-cigarettes safer than conventional cigarettes?
• Because your brain is still developing, scientific studies show that it isn’t safe for you to use any tobacco product that contains nicotine, including e-cigarettes.
• Whether you get nicotine from an e-cigarette or a cigarette, it’s still risky.
• Some e-cigarette batteries have even exploded and hurt people.
Looking Ahead - IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Math Bridge PreAP Parent Night Meeting
Tuesday, March 3rd
6:00 - 7:00 pm
Rudder Cafeteria
Math Brdige PreAP is a course designed for middle school students who have successfully completed their 6th grade math course. Instruction and assessment in this intensive program will focus on 7th and 8th grade TEKS in order to fulfill the pre-requisites for the Algebra 1 PreAP math course.
SPRING BREAK: MARCH 9 - 13, 2020
We hope all Rudder Rangers take the time to reconnect with those who are important, rejuvenate their mind, bodies and souls and rest.
Northside Safeline
Student Online Statement Form
We shared this list of apps parents should know about in our first newsletter but thought we'd share it out again.
Monitor Your Child's Grades
Student are also encouraged to check with HAC on a regular basis.
Call us, E-mail Us, Follow us!
selina.vasquez@nisd.net 210-397-5026
7th grade: Katrina DuVal
katrina.duval@nisd.net 210-397-5025
8th grade: Michael Geraci
michael.geraci@nisd.net 210-397-5027
Website: www.nisd.net/rudder/
Location: 6558 Horn Boulevard, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: 210-397-5032
Twitter: @RMSCounselors48