Counselor Connection
Fall 2019
ELEMENTARY ESSENTIALS
The 2019-2020 school year is off to a fantastic start for our littlest Rams! So far we have reviewed our RAMS Rules with daily morning announcement lessons, that included music, for the entire month of September, had our first Little Rams Rallies where we introduced our first themes about making good choices with Attendance and Work Habits and Gratitude. Speaking of which, did you see the Attendance and Gratitude Challenges that have made their way home?
Classroom Lessons have also kicked off this year with all grade levels, Pre-K through 5th Grade, having had several lessons that have included activities around the topics of healthy choices and spots of kindness (which are the smiley faces you see all around the school that serve as a reminder to be kind to one another), as well as the importance of attendance.
This month we are working on important career and life skills during lessons that include managing anger (thank you Mrs. Zerance for partnering with me to work with our 2nd grade students) in ways that include music and the art of empathy with lessons in the 3rd and 4th grade for students (thanks to Mr. Shawn of the Highmark Caring Place for partnering with me as well). Speaking of the Highmark Caring Place, we hope that everyone will remember to wear BLUE on Thursday, November 21st, for Children's Grief Awareness Day in support of grieving children and their families.
There is a lot more in the works and happening here at SSES, including our lunch groups and next month's theme which is Compassion, so please stay tuned. You can follow the school on Facebook and Instagram!
One final thought, please make your way to Schoology and join my Schoology Group, Engaging with Mrs. Emrock. The access code is VHW8-RSVS-N8FFX. It is a space where I am hoping to further connect more candidly with our students' parents and guardians to work together and support one another as we prepare our littlest learners for the ever-changing world we are a part of. Hope to see you there!
Julia Emrock
Range Resources Twilight Tour
Red Ribbon Week
YAP Fall Event
MIDDLE SCHOOL MOMENTS
We have had a great start to the 2019-2020 school year! This year we have updated the RAMS Rules and are using them as an introduction to our counseling lessons throughout the year. The new rules are Respect, Act Appropriately, Make Good Choices and Stay Safe
In 6th grade, we have started with the book Middle School Confidential Book 1: Be Confident in Who You Are, a book that is a great conversation starter about how to adjust and navigate middle school.
Our 7th grade lessons have been primarily centered on the second book in the Middle School Confidential series, Real Friends vs.the Other Kind. This book focuses on how to be a good friend and how to make good choices with the friends you have.
In the 8th grade, we have gone back to Sean Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. We are focusing on “Habit 1 and 2” this month. We are also using the Career to Work Standards for lessons designed to have students plan for life in high school and beyond.
Please follow us on the middle school Schoology page for updated information. Also, if you have not done so already, remember to register for our new Sapphire.
School Counseling Bi-Annual Advisory Committee Meeting
Keystone Wellness Vaping 101 Lesson
Vaping & the Teen Bedroom Community Event
High School Happenings
It’s been a busy start to the year. In September, we held our annual College Day and had a great turn-out. Students in 8th—12th grade were able to meet with 40 colleges, trade schools, and military representatives. Mr. Reed, our career coach, has also taken students to a number of colleges, trade schools, and other professional opportunities and has more trips planned throughout the winter months. We also had our annual Financial Aid Night and FAFSA Workshops. If you missed either night and want more information please let me know.
We have also continued our partnership with the Caring Place to raise childhood grief awareness. Thursday, November 21st is Childhood Grief Awareness Day. You can read more about that here: www.childrensgriefawarenessday.org
A few other upcoming events of note:
- Thursday, November 21st - Apprenticeship / Trade Union Meeting 10:30am for any juniors or seniors interested in meeting with industry representatives to get more info on apprenticeship programs
- Friday, November 22nd - PHEAA Financial Aid Presentation to Seniors during FLEX Time
- Friday, December 20th - Alumni Day
Freshman and Sophomores, keep monitoring your grades on Schoology and make sure to ask for help if you need it. Remember, you have a large support system!
Juniors, now is the time to start looking at colleges and thinking about majors. You should also plan to take the SATs at least once in the spring before the end of the school year. To sign up for the SATs go to: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/dates-deadlines
Seniors, remember to fill out your FAFSA! Also, keep checking the Counseling Page of the website and the High School Facebook Page as new scholarships are being added every week. Make sure to pay attention to those college application deadlines.
As always, if you need any assistance please stop in to see me!
Daniel LaRue
Sapphire Community Portal
South Side Area School District
Website: ssssd.k12.pa.us
Location: 4949 Pennsylvania 151, Hookstown, PA, USA
Phone: 7245739581