Counselor Corner
First Quarter 2019-2020
Welcome (back) To Pollard!
Best,
Briana Kelly - Sixth Grade Counselor
Kali Abu-Sharr - Seventh and Eighth Grade Counselor
Nicki Checkla - Counseling Intern
Meet the Counselors!
Meet Ms. Abu-Sharr
Hi! My name is Kali Abu-Sharr, and this will be my second year at Pollard and third year in Chatham County Schools!
I received both my Bachelor of Arts in History and my Masters of Education in School Counseling at UNC Chapel Hill. GO HEELS! I am a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA).
I love to travel and was able to visit NYC, Costa Rica, and Long Beach, CA this summer. The best part about my summer was hiking with my dog, Kiera, and adopting an adorable kitten, Ruby.
Please do not hesitate to call or email me! I am more than happy to help!
Meet Ms. Kelly
Hello, I’m Briana Kelly, this will be my second year at Chatham County Schools, I split my time between Pollard and Perry Harrison. I am available at Pollard every day in the morning until 11:15 am.
I moved to North Carolina last year from New Jersey. I attended Rutgers University for my undergraduate and Rowan University for my M.A. in School Counseling.
I had a wonderful and relaxing summer, I spent time in Canada (Toronto and Niagara region), Miami, and at the beach in New Jersey.
If you have children at Pollard and/or Perry Harrison I am happy to help!
Meet Ms. Checkla
I received my Bachelor of Science in Family & Child Sciences from Florida State University and I am now at UNC - Chapel Hill working toward my Masters of Education in School Counseling!
This summer I got to do one of my favorite things: watch baseball! I am a huge New York Mets fan and went to a couple games this summer. In May, I moved down to North Carolina for the first time to start pursuing my degree at UNC!
Please do not hesitate to contact me or pop into the counseling office to say hi!
How to Contact Your Counselors!
Ms. Kelly is at Pollard part-time and will serve sixth grade. Ms. Abu-Sharr is at Pollard full time and will serve seventh and eighth grades. Ms. Checkla will be interning at Pollard three days a week for the whole school year and will serve all grade levels. That being said, we work as a team and our main objective is to meet the needs of our students, staff, and families as efficiently as possible!
Ms. Kelly: bkelly@chatham.k12.nc.us
Ms. Checkla: ncheckla@chatham.k12.nc.us
(919) 969-0070
Sixth-Grade 101
How Does Pollard Support Rising Sixth-Graders?
I'm so glad you asked!
We have a lot of exciting plans to help your incoming sixth-graders transition to middle school. It is a major change from elementary school, and we will do everything we can to create a positive and nurturing environment for our sixth-graders. See below for ways you can help out at home!
Sixth-Grade 101
During the first two weeks of school, the sixth-grade team, along with the administration, counselors, and curriculum coach, will implement a variety of activities to introduce our new sixth-graders to middle school life.
Lessons in homeroom will include an overview of rules and expectations, an introduction to the online tools students will use throughout middle school, lessons on how to use a planner and how to prepare for long-term projects, digital citizenship, and how to use a computer appropriately. We will also provide planners, locker assignments, and logins/passwords to students during this time.
We will also have cooperative games set up during the first two weeks of activity time to help foster new friendships and a sense of belonging in the new school. Sixth-grade 101 will end with a celebratory picnic on the second Friday of the school year!
First Quarter Groups
During the first quarter, groups will be focused on supporting students during the transition to the new school year. Small groups are limited in number based on the topic, ranging from about 5-12 students. If you feel that your child is struggling with the transition to middle school, please do not hesitate to reach out to your school counselor to find out more information about small groups!
New Student Groups
Organization Group
Middle School Transition
Tips for Sixth-Graders!
ORGANIZE ORGANIZE ORGANIZE! Create an organization system that works for you! It can be overwhelming now that there are multiple different classes & teachers. Being organized will help you keep on top of each class and make it less stressful!
Example: Pick a color for each class and have a folder, binder, and/or notebook that are all the same color for each subject
Example: write your homework down in your planner! It only takes a second and it’s helpful to have all your information in one place!
Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Whether it’s academic, social, or emotional help, there are adults at school ready and willing to help you! Reach out to your teachers, counselors, administrators, etc. if you need help.
Find an adult you trust to talk to when you have problems
Get involved! Find things that you enjoy – sports, clubs, activities, etc. This is a great way to meet new people, have fun, and find things you love!
Come to school and have fun! You can’t learn if you are not at school. Attendance is crucial to being successful!
Tips for Sixth-Grade Parents!
For children going into middle school, there are many anxieties, apprehensions, and fears to deal with and overcome. Middle schools are larger than elementary schools, the school work is harder, there are more classes and more teachers – all with different expectations and personalities. Students who routinely earn A’s may find that their grades take a dip. If A’s are important to you and your child, encourage them to put in the hard work and effort. Communication is key. Talk with your child’s teachers and school administration.
Don’t be too anxious about your child going to middle school. Talk about the middle school experience in a positive way! Your enthusiasm and support can help make this BIG change in your child’s school life a positive one.
Help your child develop an organizational strategy
Designate a study space, conduct a weekly clean-up, keep a master calendar, etc.
Provide help and support while your child is learning to become more organized!
Talk about social skills
Talk about traits that make a good friend
Discuss how words and actions can affect other people
Practice skills needed for difficult social situations
Openly communicate with your child
Keep the lines of communication open between your child and school staff
Be informed, listen, and talk to your child
Encourage your child to get involved in school activities!
Check the Pollard website occasionally and listen to the weekly Mustang Minute phone call for activities coming up that week!
Help your child to be their own advocate!
Encourage your child to discuss problems and solutions with teachers on their own, but be ready to help as needed.
Encourage your child’s independence and help them learn to deal with situations so they become effective problem solvers
Developmentally, your child is starting to seek independence, make more of their own choices, and develop a sense of self. Do not be surprised if they begin to seek out their peer group and create space from their parents. This is normal!
That being said, you are still an excellent support system for them, even as they push away. Middle schoolers may need some alone time following a long day at school before they are able to talk about their day and what happened. Middle schoolers are also very sensitive to disapproval or judgment, no matter how slight! When your child talks to you about what has happened at school or the choices they have made, try and respond with warmth and support, even if you do not agree with all their choices. If adolescents feel judged, they will be less likely to communicate.
See this link for great ways to ask how school went today, without asking, "how was school today?"