Counselor's Corner
March/April 2018
Spring Guidance Lessons
3-5: Students have learned effective communication skills and how to deal with strong emotions like worry or stress.
6th: Junior high course selection & Naviance survey for junior high counselors.
Peer Mediation
Peer Mediation Q & A:
Q: What is peer mediation?
A: It's students helping students! A problem-solving tool for conflicts between TWO students in 3rd-6th grades. Mediation is NOT for BULLYING.
Q: Who are the peer mediators?
A: Mediators were selected by their peers in 4th grade. They attend a six-hour training in the fall. They continue to serve as mediators through 6th grade.
Q: When & where do mediations happen?
A: 7:55-8:10 each morning in the counselor's office
Q: How does my child sign up for mediation?
A: Each 3rd-6th grade classroom has request forms. Students complete the form and turn into the counselor's mailbox. Teachers may also request students attend mediation.
Q: What happens during mediation?
A: Mediators make introductions and go over the ground rules: agree to solve the problem, tell the truth, respect each other, no offensive language, and listen without interrupting. Each disputant is given time to share his/her side of the story.
Q: How does the problem get solved?
A: The mediators have the disputants brainstorm a list of fair, positive, realistic and specific solutions. Disputants then agree on the idea(s) they like best.
Q: My child has a mediation tomorrow morning. How can I help him/her prepare?
A: Help your child think about a fair solution. What does he/she need in order to feel better and move on? Maybe it's an apology or a turn participating in an activity. Or maybe it's just for his/her neighbor to stop tapping their pencil so loudly.
Q: Is my child in trouble if he/she goes to mediation?
A: No, in fact it's quite the opposite! Students should be commended for choosing a peaceful means to solve a problem.
Q: Will you contact me if my child requests/attends a mediation?
A: No, your child is not in trouble. He/she is using a problem-solving tool!! Way to go! Of course, I would contact you if a law was broken or your child was in danger.
Have more questions, please contact me!
COMING APRIL 20-24
If our school raises at least $1500 an Amazon gift card will be given to Principal Cox to use to help students at Mohawk. The more we raise, the bigger the thank you from LLS. In addition, the class that collects the most money will earn a pasta lunch in the cafeteria from Olive Garden!! (We will make other arrangements for any students with food allergies).
A parent volunteer is needed for each classroom to take coins to CoinStar machine on Friday, April 24.
Lindsey Dennis, M.Ed
If your Instagram user name isn't easily identifiable (ex. BurntOrangeGuy) please email me, so I know who you are.
Email: lindsey.dennis@risd.org
Location: 1500 Mimosa Drive, Richardson, TX, United States
Phone: 469-593-6615