The Counseling Corner
Duncanville ISD Counseling Department Newsletter
January 2022
Happy New Year, Duncanville ISD Families!
We hope you had a safe and wonderful winter break. As we begin 2022, we want to encourage you to continue to look toward better days. In many ways 2021 was better than 2020 and our hope is that 2022 is the best year yet.
This month, we are spotlighting Kennemer Middle School teacher, Ms. Price and her amazing students. Watch the video below as she speaks to the social and emotional needs of her students. If we can be of further assistance feel free to reach out to your campus counselor.
Sincerely,
Duncanville ISD Counseling Department
Kennemer Middle School SEL Spotlight
In Duncanville ISD we teach students about their emotional well being by giving them the opportunity to learn how to express their emotions in a healthy way. We know that students learn best when we first connect with them and when we provide them a safe space to express their emotions. Watch as Kennemer Middle School teacher, Ms. Price, connects with her students.
If students are in need of backpacks, school supplies, clothes, or food, we have it! Our Panther Pantry is stocked, and we can provide students with the necessary resources they need. If you know a student/family in need of basic resources, please reach out to our social workers.
Elementary & Intermediate Schools:
Alternative, Middle, & High Schools:
National School Counselor Week
February 7-11
The theme for this year is, "Better Together". School counselors play important roles in school districts, allowing students to resolve issues they face at home or in the classroom. Given the challenges students may encounter due to the pandemic, their role is even more essential than ever before.
Celebrate school counseling by taking part in the 2022 National School Counseling Week photo challenge. Simply download each day's sign, write in your response and then take a picture with it to post to your social media channels. Be sure to tag @DvilleISDCS, @ASCA and #NSCW22. You can find us on Twitter (DvilleISDCS) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/DvilleCounseling)
- Monday, Feb. 7: School counselors and other school-based mental health professionals are better together because ...
- Tuesday, Feb. 8: School counselors and administrators are better together because…
- Wednesday, Feb. 9: School counselors and teachers are better together because…
- Thursday, Feb. 10: School counselors and the community are better together because…
- Friday, Feb. 11: School counselors are better together because…
Kindness Week
When you think of “being kind” what comes to mind first? Maybe you think about a friend or family member who you know you can rely on for comfort and support, maybe you think of a neighbor who always makes an effort to be friendly when you cross paths, or maybe you think of those who volunteer to help in their communities.
There are many definitions of what it means to be kind and kindness is often entwined with related concepts like empathy and compassion. At its core, researchers suggest that kindness is a gesture motivated by genuine, warm feelings for others. Kindness, therefore, is not just an emotion, but is defined by our actions.
These “acts of kindness” do not have to be grand gestures. Listening to and being with someone as they talk about a bad day, holding the door for someone who has their arms full, or being accepting towards those around us can all be acts of kindness.
Look for the Kindness Challenge in the February newsletter.
Presence is not the same as being present.
You are the author of your life story
You have the leading role and get to determine how you interact with your supporting cast and the other characters. As in literature, your life may also be a mixture of drama, comedy, adventure, mystery, tragedy, and romance, full of plot twists, suspense, and heroes and villains.
Without realizing it, we can allow the events of our lives to write our story for us, rather than taking the deliberate action necessary to write our own story our way. Engage your imagination and ask yourself how you would like for your story to change.
Which archetypes are helpful and which are harmful?
What will it take to further love and appreciate your life story, and create the happy endings you desire?
Amazing Grace
Author: Mary Hoffman
Published: 1991
If you stay true to yourself, you can be whatever you want to be! Grace loves stories and she loves to act them out. When her teacher tells the class that they will be performing a play about Peter Pan, Grace knows she wants to be Peter. But can she be Peter if she doesn’t look anything like him?
Our Mission & Vision
Mission: The mission of the Duncanville ISD Counseling Department is to reach the hearts of students everyday so they can be their best selves.
Vision: The vision of the Duncanville ISD Counseling Department is to graduate all students with a clear post-secondary plan, and the social-emotional skills to succeed in a competitive environment.
Website: https://www.duncanvilleisd.org/departments/counseling
Location: Duncanville, TX, USA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DvilleCounseling
Twitter: @DvilleISDCS