Counselor's Corner
Hello Parents,
My September classroom lessons in grades K-3 were about effort and working hard. I read the book Try and Stick with It in Kindergarten, and the book I Can Do Hard Things in grades 1-3. These two books encourage learners to try new things, do their best and not give up when things are hard. The book I Can Do Hard Things also teaches about Mindful Affirmations - short phrases about yourself that are supportive, helpful and motivating. The learners in these classrooms considered hard things that they have done, and the 3rd graders wrote mindful affirmations that they can use when they have to do the next hard thing.
The 4th grade learners were introduced to Couragion in September. Couragion is a computer based STEM career exploration program. The 4th grade learners will be using Couragion all year long to learn about a variety of STEM careers. Here is a parent letter with more information about Couragion (link).
A letter went home to the 5th grade parents and guardians in early September about the small groups I facilitate with the 5th grade learners. The 5th graders completed self-assessments later in September to help them decide which small groups they will participate in. I am looking forward to starting these small groups in early October.
The school district is partnering with Center for Children to do more to help keep children in our community safe from child abuse. The school counselors in D51 were asked to do an additional personal safety lesson this Fall in all of the 3rd grade classrooms. The counselors will be reading the book My Body is Special and it Belongs to Me, written by S. Berenzweig and C. Benjoseph. If you would like to preview this book, it will be available at the front office until Oct. 12th.
Please let me know if you have any questions about my lessons or the counseling services I provide at school.
Thank you,
Leslie Atchison
New Emerson School Counselor
Hello Parents,
Welcome to a new school year! I am looking forward to all the learning and growth that will happen this year at New Emerson! I wanted to remind you about my school counselor role and how I work with students.
Whole class lessons - I meet with students in their classrooms once or twice a month. The lesson topics are chosen based on school district expectations, ASCA (American School Counselor Association) standards, and the New Emerson monthly SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) themes.
Small groups - A list of the small groups that I offer at New Emerson can be found here. My counseling groups are organized based on student needs. The classroom teacher will be the initial point of contact for a learner to join one of my groups. Please let your child’s teacher know if you are interested in having your child join one of my groups.
Individual counseling - Students can request to see me if they are having a problem at school - they can put a note in my counselor box. I will notify parents if I see a student more than a few times, or if the concern is serious enough to warrant notification. I can also see students individually at the request of a teacher or parent. School counselors provide short term, solution focused counseling for school related issues. School counselors are not able to provide long term individual therapy for students.
The 5th grade learners participated in Peer Mediation training during the first two weeks of school. The 5th graders will help our younger learners solve conflicts on the playground during lunch fresh air. They will mediate with a partner once or twice a month, starting in September. We appreciate our 5th grade peer mediators!
I visited the 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade classrooms in August to remind learners about my role as a school counselor, and how they can request to see me if they are having a problem at school. It was great to see them all after the long summer break!
Please let me know if you have any questions about the services I provide at school, or if you have any concerns about your child that I might be able to help with.
Thank you,
Leslie Atchison
New Emerson School Counselor