Counselor's Connection For RJL
Angela Garvin, M. Ed. and Jessica Lightfoot, M. Ed
@RJLeeCounselor
@Lightfootj22
Welcome to the 2023-2024 School Year
We are so glad you're here! Please reach out to either of us if you have any questions about the information in this Smore.
What's Going on In Guidance?
Thank you SO much for your flexibility over the last few months. We have completed all of our SB9 opt in lessons and our Diversity lessons for grades 3-5. As we move into "assessment" season, our focus will be on recognizing and managing stress. When those are complete, we will focus on Peer Pressure.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
Go Blue Day
Wear Blue is Friday, April 5, 2024. Use #GoBlueDay to show your support of Child Abuse Prevention.
This month we will be sending our parents resources on how to have important conversations with their children to help prevent child sexual abuse. Tips will also be sent out on how to discipline using positive techniques.
Reminders about Second Step
DID YOU KNOW?
IF you are aware of a family that could benefit from these services, please see Annah or your house counselor for an application to send home and RETURN. Please return all applications to your house counselor and we will get those to our rep from the Assistance League. I ask that you also let us know IF AND WHICH families you are concerned about so that we can follow up with additional resources throughout the year as those become available. THANK YOU ALL!
Taking Care of You
Character and Conflict Management
2023-2024 Weekly LEEdership Tip/Quote
Kelso's Choice Conflict Management :
Our goal is to teach learners several positive ways to deal with minor conflict situations. To do this we are going to ask that they try two of the following ideas or "choices" when they have a small problem with a peer:
- Go to another game or activity.
- Respectfully talk it over and listen to each other
- Walk away from the problem.
- Ignore the problem behavior.
- Tell the person to stop the problem behavior.
- Apologize.
- Make a deal or compromise.
- Wait to cool off.
- Share and take turns.
This program is divided into two sections for grades K-3 and grades 4-5. The same core concepts and philosophy are taught in both sections with slight differences to reflect the varying developmental levels.
The lessons for grades K-3 feature a frog named Kelso who walks learners through the nine conflict management choices for "small" problems and encourages them to always go to a trusted adult if they come across a "BIG" problem.
Kelso the frog is no longer featured in lessons for grades 4-5. Learners differentiate the verbal choices from the nonverbal choices. They are no longer asked to share and take turns to solve "minor" problems as they have generally mastered this skill. Learners are always taught to go to the nearest trusted adult for "SERIOUS" problems.
Reporting Child Abuse FAQ's
1. I'm concerned one of my learners is being neglected or abused. What should I do?AS AN ADULT IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, YOU ARE MANDATED BY LAW TO REPORT SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE. According to TEXAS FAMILY CODE: SECTION 261.101 "If a professional has cause to believe that a child has been or may be abused or neglected, the professional shall make a report not later than the 48th hour after the hour the professional first suspects that the child has been or may be abused or neglected. A professional may not delegate to or rely on another person to make the report." I am here to answer any questions about making a report...please let me know how I can help.
Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-252-5400
http://www.txabusehotline.org/
2. What do I do if CPS reaches out to me regarding one of my learners?
It is important for you to talk to CPS if they reach out to you or ask you to call them. Prior to having communication with CPS, they MUST scan their badge and email it to you so you can confirm that you are in fact speaking with a CPS representative. Typically, when speaking with them I will say, "before I can discuss any learner with you, I'm required to ask you to send me a copy of your identification". TYPICALLY, they are able to do it in a matter of seconds and will send it while I'm on the phone with them. Please keep the counselor and campus administration informed if you are contacted by CPS.