Counselor Connection
A Counselor Newsletter for Teachers on Ms. Ross' Teams
Counseling Core Curriculum Lessons - Peer Relations Unit
The Peer Relations Unit will cover the following topics:
January - Bullying/Mistreatment of Students & Safe School Ambassador Strategies
February - Peer Pressure & Refusal Strategies
March - Diversity
BHS Peer Leader - Connor Noble (support for SIXTH Grade students)
Don't forget SIXTH GRADE!
I have Connor, my BHS Peer Leader here every Wednesday 10:30-11:00 to help with peer mediation, 1:1 mentoring/motivation, and some organization!
I'm in the office with him and the 6th graders each time also, so he is not doing it on his own, however, I've seen him in action, he is GREAT with our students!
Please let us know of students who could use his support.
Make Name Calling A Thing of the Past
No Name Calling Week - January 19-22
Sponsored by No Place for Hate Club
Wednesday, January 20th - 50s Dress Up Day - "Name Calling has to go, Daddy-O!"
Friday, January 22nd - 80s Dress up Day - "Name Calling is Totally Bogus!"
You Will also see:
Positive Locker Notes on January 19th, Displays/Posters around the School including "Proud To Be" Wall by Cafeteria, Daily Announcements.
Abuse, Neglect, Self Harm...What to do.
If you suspect a student is a victim of neglect or abuse (verbal, physical or sexual), is a witness to domestic violence, is having suicidal thoughts/language, or is harming themselves in some way, please notify both counselors IMMEDIATELY! Email FFMS Counselors with subject "I have a student that needs to talk about abuse" or "I have a student that needs to talk about self harm" or find us in person. Please do not wait to inform us of these urgent concerns!
New Attendance Incentives
Individual identified by counselor through the use of ABC data with attendance concerns will receive individual incentives through a punch card system with their counselor. Ms. Ross will begin her individual incentives starting January 11th.
HR attendance incentive plan:
Each week your HR has perfect attendance you will receive a fork to put outside your door. Each fork comes with a reward! Counselors will be pull attendance data at the end of each week to determine those who have earned a fork!
1 fork = Each student gets candy
2 forks = Each student gets a Bronco Buck
3 forks = HR earns a Popcorn Party
4 forks = HR earns Walk & Talk during extended HR
5 forks = HR earns a Pizza Party
National School Counseling Week ~ February 1-5, 2016
National School Counseling Week(NSCW) is a week to focus attention on the contribution of professional school counselors within in the US School System. NSCW is sponsored by the American School Counselor Association.
This year at FFMS, we have fun LEGO themed School Counseling Week Planned! And to thank you for supporting the FFMS Counseling Program on Wednesday, February 3rd, we will provide you with a yummy duty-free lunch in the PLC Room!
Small Groups Continue...
Small group that began first semester will continue through second semester. I will pick back up with small groups the week of January 11th.
Academic Groups will focus heavily on study skills and organization.
Counseling Dept. Advisory Council
Join us on May 23rd at 8:25 in the PLC Room for the FFMS Counseling Advisory Council to learn more about the FFMS Counseling Department's Goals, Initiatives, and more!
Emergency Counselor Pass Reminder!
A few of our students that have a safety plan (Not ALL of them) will have an emergency counselor pass. If things become to overwhelming for them and they need to get to one of us but can't verbalize it, they will be able to show you the pass.
HOWEVER --- They should NOT come alone. If a student is having suicidal thoughts, we do not want them to leave the room alone and go into the bathroom or other location without supervision. So, If a student shows you the emergency pass, please just have another student walk them to their counselors office. (Yes - this is perfectly fine, the other student doesn't need to know why the student is coming to the counselor).
Directions are on the pass for the student to go to a grade level clerk if they are unable to locate a counselor.Laura Ross
Five Forks Middle School
School Counselor
770-736-4527 (office)770-310-5737 (cell) - FFMS Staff use only - please do not give out to parents or students
Email: laura_ross@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
Website: http://fiveforkscounseling.weebly.com/
Phone: