WSFCS School Counselor Digest
May Is Mental Health Awareness Month
Now more than ever before, it is important for the mental health community to come together and show the world that no one should ever feel alone. We continue to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families. In an effort to help many of us who may be feeling overwhelmed Winston-Salem Forsyth County school psychologists, counselors & social workers are available to speak, confidentially, on our Hotline, M-F, 10am-2pm, at 336-661-3128.
Supporting Teenagers and Young Adults During the Coronavirus Crisis
Having teenagers confined to home during the coronavirus crisis may not be as labor-intensive as being holed up with small children, but it definitely has its challenges. While younger children may be thrilled at the prospect of having parental attention 24/7, adolescents are likely to feel differently.
Here are some tips for parenting teenagers (and young adults suddenly home from college) during this time.
https://childmind.org/article/supporting-teenagers-and-young-adults-during-the-coronavirus-crisis/
Middle School Matters: The 10 Key Skills Kids Need to Thrive in Middle School and Beyond-and How Parents Can Help by Phyllis Fagell, LCPC : Book review by Kim Mickey, Lead School Counselor Meadowlark Middle
I am an avid reader and am always looking for books to share with parents and teachers. I know, I know...not everyone reads and reading an actual book is old fashioned. However, a book can be a non-threatening way to present ideas for change.
This book has become my newest “go to” reference. The author Phyliis Fagell is a practicing middle school counselor and clinical counselor. She infuses her book with stories from her own experiences, as well as conversations with doctors, educators, and best of all, middle school students themselves. In the book, Fagell discusses topics that really matter in middle school: how to help kids make good choices in friends and negotiate conflict, how to create homework and organizational systems, and how to foster empathy, emotional self-regulation, and self-advocacy as children grow through challenges.
Middle School Matters is an easy and pleasant read, I laughed out loud when reading her stories while thinking “that reminds me of …” The book is divided into four sections: values and integrity, social skills, learning, and empowerment and resilience. Within those sections, Fagell covers many of the things that we speak with parents about on a daily basis. She includes key points, top tips, and conversation starters for each. There is also a parent discussion section and resources.
Maybe I like this book so much because Fagell’s philosophy about middle school mirrors my own. As Fagell writes, “middle schoolers are young enough to be unjaded, but old enough to grasp sophisticated concepts. They can experiment, grow and veer off course while the stakes are low. It’s the ideal time to impart strategies, teach social-emotional skills and foster integrity and healthy risk-taking.”
Whatever the reason, if I could only have one book on my professional book shelf, this would be the one. (She’s a great follow on Twitter and Instagram, too!)
Virtual Play Dates
Strategies For Learners With Attention Issues
Self-Care Strategies
Studying at home due to coronavirus? This is how young people around the world are keeping their mood up
As the world is fighting against the COVID-19 outbreak, more than 130 countries have now closed schools nationwide, impacting nearly 80% of students globally. This is unprecedented; the world has never seen this many children out of school at the same time.
In a situation like this it is normal to feel sad, worried, confused, scared or angry. Learn how students in the affected countries keep learning and stay positive in times of uncertainty.
UNC System and NCDPI Partner to Ensure Admissions Standards for College Applicants
The UNC Board of Governors recently modified the minimum eligibility standards for admission. A student who earns at least a 2.5 weighted high school grade point average OR a minimum test score on either the ACT (19) or the SAT (1010) is now eligible for review by any of the 16 UNC System universities. A student must still take either the ACT or the SAT to be considered for admission, and all applicants must submit a valid score as part of their application to any individual institution.
In addition, although the three major advanced courses testing entities have modified procedures for administering tests and calculating scores, the UNC System’s policy on granting credit for satisfactory performance on advanced course examinations (including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Cambridge) will remain the same. Any student who earns a qualifying minimum score will earn due credit.
Thanks to North Carolina’s GEAR UP program, virtual campus tours are available to all prospective students. Anyone, anywhere, in North Carolina can take an immersive 360-degree, VR tour of any of the 16 UNC System universities at: https://www.northcarolina.edu/our-17-campuses/virtual-reality-campus-tours.
Still Searching For the Right College?
Still searching for the right college fit? More than 750 schools still have openings, and housing available to qualified freshmen and/or transfer students for fall 2020.
NACAC’s annual College Openings Update: Options for Qualified Students is a voluntary listing of NACAC member postsecondary institutions that are still accepting applications from prospective freshman and/or transfer students for the upcoming fall term.
View NACAC's College Openings Update:
https://www.nacacnet.org/news--publications/Research/CollegeOpenings/
About Us
WSFCS District School Counselor Directory
https://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/Page/112503
WSFCS School Counseling Program Contact Information
Program Manager
Mrs. Angela Hubbard
(336) 748-4000, ext. 70165
Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Sharita Peoples
(336) 727-2912
School Counselor Digest Editor
Dr. Daya Patton, School Counselor Paisley IB
Contributors:
Kim Mickey, School Counselor Meadowlark Middle
Katie Smith, School Counselor Jefferson Middle