Maryville Guidance News
August 2017
WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!
Here are the School Counseling Goals for the 2017-2018 School Year:
- Classroom Guidance Lessons every 4 weeks (3 weeks off, 1 week one)
- Individual Counseling
- Group Counseling
- Lunch Bunches
- Book Clubs
- Leadership Team
- Data Collection
At the end of last year I had 3th-5th grade teachers randomly select students to complete an assessment of the school counseling program. In the past, I have had teachers and staff complete their own assessment. The results have provided me with excellent feedback on what the staff feels are the most in demand services the school counseling office can provide.
The students have offered a unique perspective as well.
Here are some of the results.
Students indicated the top five things they learn from Mrs. Barron are:
1. Careers
2. College Readiness
3. Respect
4. Importance of good attendance
5. Drug Awareness
Students indicated the top issues they think Mrs. Barron should address are:
1. Internet and Social Media Safety
2. Conflict Resolution
3. Relationship Building (part of me thinks they may have thought this meant "how to get a boyfriend/girlfriend.)
4. Self Control techniques
5. Study Skills
Overwhelming students indicated they would like to see more:
1. Classroom Guidance
2. Book Clubs
3. Reward lunchs
Students were also allowed to make some comments or suggestions regarding the school counseling program. These were some of their remarks:
"I would like to spend time with Mrs. Barron even though I don't need counseling. I wish everyone could have some time with Mrs. Barron to talk."
"More classroom guidance."
"Meet with kids who have problems with each other."
All of these suggestions will be taken into consideration and utilized for the 2017-2018 school year.
Classroom Guidance
The first Guidance Lesson will take place Friday, August 18 though Tuesday, August 22nd. The lesson will focus on "Meeting Your School Counselor." Students will learn about me and my job and how they can request to see me.
The next lesson will focus on improving our school attendance. After that, the plan is to focus on the new school wide expectations. However, that may change depending on the specific needs of the school.
How Can A School Counselor Help ME?
- You need resources. I have social stories you can read to your class. I have behavior management books. I have games and toys and fidgets.
- Your class needs a specific lesson. Does your class struggle with manners or teasing? Did something occur that they need help processing? I can help with that. I can do special whole class guidance, or I can take a small group.
- You need volunteers or assistance. I love to come in and read or help with special projects. I love to attend poetry readings or see projects be presented. I would love to come read a story if you need/want a break!
- You want to brag on something awesome your class did. I love to celebrate with teachers and students.
- You have a student who needs some reinforcement. Some times students need to hear the same thing from multiple sources before it sinks in. Let me know and I will help reinforce.
- You have concerns about 1 or more of your students. Let's talk it out together, or maybe I can schedule some lunches or one on one sessions with a student you are worried about.
- You need ANYTHING!
ABRI Data
Over the course of the previous five years, we have remained pretty steady on the amount of referrals earned for the student population:
2016-2017: 73
2015-2016: 72
2014-2015: 74
2013-2014: 106
2012-2013: 85
This is because of teachers and their hard work and dedication in teaching and re-teaching the expectations. This will become especially important this school year with our new expectations.
The buses are the biggest problem area, but we are working on combating that by holding several PBIS trainings with bus drivers and making mandatory "re-teaching" days of the bus expectations. Please feel free to teach bus expectations in the classroom, especially before dismissal. Last year, our leadership team created a Bus Expectation video that can be shown to classes.
PBIS and ABRI mark success with what they refer to as the "triangle chart." In successful schools, 80% of the student population should be green, meaning they earned 1 or fewer referrals for the year. Regular, school wide expectations and teachings address the needs of these students.
The yellow portion of the triangle should include 15% of your student population who earn 2-5 referrals. These students need more intense teachings of expectations. The red portion of the training should include 5% of your population. These kiddos have earned 6 or more referrals and need a lot more assistance.
Last year our triangle included 96% of our students in the green and 4% in the yellow. We did not have a SINGLE student in the red. . .which is AWESOME! During the past five years we have increased our green population from 93% to roughly 96% of our student population. This is fantastic and shows the dedication of hard work and consistency in re-teaching.
Upcoming Events/ Things to Know:
Tuesday, August 15 at 4:00 PM: ABRI Meeting
Thursday, August 17th at 3:00 PM : OUT OF THE BUILDING
Friday, August 16: Classroom Guidance begins
Tuesday, August 22 until 11:00 AM: OUT OF THE BUILDING
Thursday, August 24 at 9:00 AM-2 PM: Elementary School Counseling Meeting
Thursday, August 31 at 3:45 PM: Detention