Maryville Counseling News
April 2018
K-PREP
PLEASE PLAN ON BEING AT THIS STAFF MEETING. It is very difficult to make up all trainings. And ALL staff members are REQUIRED to attend the trainings. What usually ends up happening is that several people cannot attend or have to leave early, but then are not available at the same times for a make up training, which means I have to do several 1.5 hour trainings individually, before and after school. It is not fun for anyone involved.
If you cannot make it on April 25th, please let Ruth or I know as soon as possible. You can attend a training at another school, but you MUST attend one training prior to the testing window.
In order to prepare for the training you must read the following documents:
Your grade level TAM (Testing Administration Manual):
You are obligated by law to read these documents in their entirety each year. Following the trainings, you will be required to sign off on a legally binding document that states you have read these documents, you understand these documents and you will comply with these documents.
END OF THE YEAR REPORT
2016-2017
It has been brought to my attention that some people are not aware and/or are concerned as to how I spend my time each day and what I work on beyond counseling students. If you have any questions or concerns that you would like addressed in the end of the year report, please let me know before the end of the school year. I will try to address those concerns so that we all have a better idea of what a school counselor does.
I cannot fix a problem I am not aware exists, so please come to me with concerns or place a note in my mailbox.
ABRI Data
It has been a very rough year due to bus referrals. However it has also been rough due to the flux and inconsistency in bus drivers. Students would be placed on a behavior plan, then a new driver would take over, unaware of the plan or seating charts. The problems would then arise again. These folders include specific behavior plans for the bus, along with seating charts.
Had our bus referrals been on par with where they had been the past several years (around 38% as verses 56%), we would be on track for the least amount of overall referrals yet.
Current School Year Data
2016-2017 School Year vs. 2017-2018 School Year
Five Year data trend
Referrals per grade level 2017-2018
referrals per grade level last year
referrals by location
Important Dates
THURSDAY, April 12, 2018: Squallis Puppeteers for Kindergarten students
THURSDAY, April 12, 2018: Detention (hosted by Mrs. Pratt)
FRIDAY, April 12 at 9:30: Mobile Dairy Museum
MONDAY. April 16-FRIDAY, April 20th: ARTS WEEK
THURSDAY, April 19: Elementary School Counseling Meeting at Central Office
THURSDAY, April 19: Fund for the Arts meeting at Maryville
TUESDAY, April 24: PBIS District Coach's meeting at Central Office 2-4 PM
WEDNESDAY, April 25: K-PREP Training at the Staff Meeting
THURSDAY, April 26: Detention (hosted by Ms. Skyles and Mrs. Tabler)
Self Regulation
Did you know that kids who are having difficulty with self-regulation may:
- Act overly silly or “out of control”
- Have tantrums or meltdowns
- Struggle with transitions between activities
- Have difficulty waiting or taking turns
- Struggle with being in close proximity to others (e.g. circle time)
- Demonstrate problems during social interactions (e.g. talking too loud, standing too close, touching others)
- Have difficulty walking or waiting in line
- Move too quickly or with too much force
- Grab or touch objects impulsively
Self regulation can be a very difficult habit or skill for children to learn. However, research shows the MOST effective way to teach self regulation is through play and games. Games that support planning and problem solving, memory, attention, motor control, and sequencing can help kids develop the ability to self-regulate despite challenging situations and circumstances. Indoor recess or structured physical activity time outside might be a great opportunity to teach students self regulation development skills. You don't even need the full 25 minutes. . .just a few minutes at the beginning of recess can help set forth habits and tips to help kids.
Here is a link to a website with 30 games and activities that can improve self regulation skills. . .all of which can be done in the classroom as a quick brain break: