Counseling Connection: December
DuPont Elementary School Counseling with Ms. Payne
Character Word Of the Month: Caring
Caring means:
*Being kind
*Being compassionate and showing you care
*Expressing gratitude
*Forgiving others
*Helping people in need
*Being charitable and altruistic
Classroom Counseling Lessons
Since we don't have a full month for December, I will not be conducting full 30-minute lessons this month. If a class missed the November lesson, I will email to set up a time. If you would like me to come do a brief lesson on caring, please email me your available times.
There are a number of ways to encourage caring in your classroom including making a class kindness chain for students who are caught doing something kind, giving compliments, or writing letters to express gratitude towards someone. Let me know if you would like more ideas!
In January we will begin exploring careers in my counseling lessons. A doodle for scheduling will be sent out at the beginning of January, so be sure to sign up for a lesson!
Small Groups Update
We will have two more weeks of Character Council for 2015. Over the last month students took part in World Kindness Day, made snowflakes for the December bulletin board, played character games, and learned about giving genuine compliments.
Lunch bunches will continue through the end of December. Lunch groups are a great way for me to get to know students as well as an excellent way for students to learn social skills and concepts such as cooperation, fairness, and sportsmanship through discussion and games. These groups provide a safe space for students to practice skills and get to know students in other classes as well. Lanyards are given out as reminders for students and teachers.
More about the benefit of lunch groups: http://www.encourageplay.com/blog/why-lunch-groups-matter
Minute Meetings for Grades and Attendance
School Counselor vs. Guidance Counselor –What’s the difference?
School counseling began in the early 1900s as vocational guidance. It was established in schools as a position occupied by administrators and teachers who became known as guidance counselors. Their work was directed by a list of job responsibilities. As school counseling evolved, it moved from simple vocational assistance to addressing the needs of the whole child. With that evolution came greater scrutiny into the training and job responsibilities of the counselor. Today’s school counselor must hold a master’s degree in school counseling. Their training and education are more rigorous than their earlier counterparts.
Professional school counselors are guided by national student standards as well as professional ethical standards. They deliver high quality, data-driven comprehensive school counseling programs to positively impact the academic, personal/social and college/career development of all students. This is accomplished through a variety of methods such as individual counseling, group counseling, and classroom school counseling curricula. School counselors also work collaboratively with students, teachers, parents, administration, and community members. School counselors use data to show the impact of the school counseling program on student achievement, attendance, and behavior and analyze program assessments to guide future action and improve future outcomes for all students.
In 1999, the Tennessee legislature passed HB 302/SB 637 to legally change the name from guidance counselors to school counselors. These educators have earned their title and should be known as school counselors. For more information about school counselors click here.
Upcoming Events
Dec. 7 - Well Child Retesting
Dec. 8-9 - Christmas Store
Dec. 14-17 - Book Fair
Dec. 16 - Bulldog Banking
Dec. 16-17 - Christmas Coffee
Dec. 17-18 - Winter Celebrations
Dec. 18 - Pawpalooza and Polar Express Day