Monthly Lessons

In August, students have the opportunity to meet their school counselor and gain a clear understanding of the important role they play in supporting their needs. Our kindergarten and second-grade students received insightful instruction on the crucial skill of "Listening and Following Directions," ensuring their development of essential abilities. Our upper elementary students will participate in team-building exercises that teach them the importance of working together and emphasize the value of active listening, problem-solving, and compromising with curiosity rather than judgment when faced with disagreements.

September

Throughout September, our kindergarten and second-grade students will be provided an invaluable lesson centered around a "Growth Mindset." This transformative tool has been proven to boost students' self-assurance and significantly elevate their academic achievements. By instilling this mindset within our students, we empower them to embrace challenges, persist through setbacks, and ultimately excel in their educational journeys.

Our 3rd-grade student's topic has been how our Thoughts, Feelings, and Choices (behaviors & actions) are all connected and how our choices affect our feelings and others. This understanding allows them to develop greater self-awareness and empathy toward others. Each class also reviewed the topic of "Bullying." Bullying is defined as an action that happens over and over again. Students may be unkind at times, but bullying occurs by the same person daily. We have equipped them with practical strategies like assertively asking the person to stop and promptly reporting bullying to trusted adults at school and home. We strive to eradicate bullying and create a respectful and inclusive community by fostering an environment where students feel safe and supported.

In our fourth and fifth-grade classrooms, we understand that students may experience heightened worry and stress as the workload increases. To address this proactively, we will teach the students coping skills that help them "STOMP out the A.N.T.S" (Automatic Negative Thoughts). Through interactive lessons and discussions, we guide our students in recognizing and challenging negative thoughts that may arise in their minds. By equipping them with strategies to counter these automatic negative thoughts, we empower them to take control of their thinking patterns and promote a more positive and resilient mindset. We encourage you to talk with your student(s) about these topics and ask them what they have learned.

This evidence-based, comprehensive school improvement model- developed in partnership with educators- empowers students with the leadership and life skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. Our students continue learning using the Leader In Me program in all grades. Our community is learning the 7 Habits through direct lessons and embedded daily activities emphasizing living the seven habits: in and out of school.

The 7 Habits are:

1. Be Proactive,

2. Begin with the End in Mind

3. Put First Things First

4. Think Win-Win

5. Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood

6. Synergize

7. Sharpen the Saw.

Career Readiness

The journey towards career development commences right from the early years of education, where students are encouraged to explore many options and equip themselves with the necessary skills to excel in any future endeavors they may choose. Throughout their lives, individuals continuously shape and redefine their career choices and outcomes, as it is a lifelong process of self-discovery and growth. Within this process, School Counselors play a vital role in equipping young individuals and their parents with the essential tools, knowledge, and resources to make informed decisions regarding their education and career paths. School Counselors empower students to navigate these critical choices confidently and clearly by providing guidance and support.

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) - refers to building skills and mindsets necessary for students to thrive in all areas of their life.

• Understanding and managing emotions
  
• Setting and achieving positive goals
• Feeling and showing empathy for others
• Establishing and maintaining positive relationships
• Making responsible decisions

Calm Breaths

Take three slow, deep breaths through your nose;

hold each breath for a second, and then very

slowly release the air.

As you take slow, deep breaths through your

nose, tiny cells high up in your nasal passage are

stimulated, giving off nitric oxide.

Nitric oxide is a relaxing, short-lived brain

neurotransmitter. It causes our blood vessels to

relax and dilate so they carry more oxygen to the

brain, and we feel more calm and alert.

REINFORCING COMPLIMENTS:

• I am proud of you for...
• Thanks for trying so hard on...
• I am pleased with the way you...
• How thoughtful of you to...
• You have made real progress on...
• You did an excellent job on...
• Keep up the good work on...
• You are a natural at...

POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS:

• Well done!
• I like to hear your ideas.
• Thank you for working so hard!
• What a great job!
• That is a good point. Thank you for sharing.
• I am sure you can do it; you have done hard things before.
• Thank you for doing what I asked.

Actively look for the good in all family members and give sincere compliments. Praise even their attempts at good behavior. You’ll feel happier, and so will they. Only after people feel loved and accepted can they begin to change

We look forward to starting our Small Groups and lunch bunch groups in October. Sometimes, students may be identified by their teacher or other supporting staff as needing extra skill-building practice through small groups. If this is the case, you will be notified, with a permission slip sent home for the student to participate.

Counselors provide small groups through teacher and staff referrals to help your student achieve their fullest and best selves while in school. Small groups offered friendship, anger management, impulse control, parental divorce, self-esteem, coping skills/ emotional self-regulation, etc. Groups are designed to help students achieve academic success by focusing on barriers that could impede their ability at school.

Lessons K-5:

As the Georgia Department of Education and Senate Bill 401 requires, the Fayette County School System will teach kindergarten through 4th students a lesson on personal safety. At the elementary level, Fayette County Health teachers and school counselors will continue delivering these lessons with developmentally appropriate information and the school board-approved videos.

• K and 1st Grade - The lesson is about protecting yourself from strangers and bullies.

• 2nd and 3rd Grade - The lesson introduces the three types of child abuse and how to protect yourself.

• 4th and 5th Grade - The lesson is more detailed about child abuse and how to keep yourself safe.