School Counseling begins at PHS

I can safely say I have never had a first week of the school year like this one, and I hope for the sake of our students and community never to experience it again.  As we continue to heal and support one another I am looking forward to introducing myself and my role to the students.  I want them to know I am here for them and on their team!  I will be their personal cheerleader!  I want to make certain they know how to contact me and are comfortable doing so.  In the spirit of getting the word out about what a school counselor does, I wanted to share with you some of the activities I have been up to this past week.

Early on Wednesday I had the privilege to spend time with the 6th grade group as they prepared to leave.  We played a getting to know you game in which students wrote down some physical characteristics (eye color, height, hair color, if they had freckles, etc) on index cards.  The cards were mixed up and handed back out.  Students then had the challenge of finding the person described on their card.  I was delighted to see those who helped each other and those who experienced the pride in completing the activity successfully.  We also made a paper chain, each link representing a strength of one of our 6th grade students.  What a mighty group they are - this is one long chain!  On Thursday some students added links with the words "Bravery," "Leadership," and "Loyalty."  What a powerful set of words!  The chain is currently hanging in the front hall as a display of all the strengths the class of 2020 brings to Pembroke Hill Middle School.

I also enjoyed stopping in to various advisory classes.  I am working on the task of learning your student's names!  Everyone was very welcoming and excitedly working on their door decorations for Wednesday evening and this week's contest. 

As we move through this week I plan to continue visiting classrooms.  I am also preparing counseling groups for 6th grade students.  The permission form is attached if you would like your child to participate. 

Counseling Group Permission Form

I am very much looking forward to all of the joys this school year will bring and feel honored to be a part of it!

We have a counselor???

I can't tell you how great it feels to be at Pembroke Hill School this year!  From the first day I visited the school to interview I had a strong sense of a positive and inspiring energy in these halls and now I get to watch it firsthand from room 217 everyday.

I am fortunate to work in a field I LOVE!  Children and learning are passions of mine and I have always had a natural inclination to empathize with others.  So, imagine my joy when I discovered the school counseling master's program at UMKC.  It has been a love affair ever since!

After 7 years in the North Kansas City School District as a middle school counselor, I am honored to  bring a fully implemented Comprehensive Guidance Program to PHS.  Essentially there are 4 components to a strong guidance program.
1. Guidance Curriculum - I'll be working with students in their PE/Wellness classes covering topics such as bullying, self-confidence, stress management and substance abuse.
2. Individual Planning - I'll be coordinating the advisory program and helping to support advisors through with their relationship building with students.  I will also work with students who wish to seek out further goal setting and planning one-on-one with me.
3. Responsive Services - I will be available for students to talk with me on an as needed basis.  When they are having a bad day, a conflict, a concern in class, etc.  I also plan to run student groups for those who are grieving, seeking leadership roles, coping with divorce, and other topics.
4. Systems Support - I will be getting involved in school-wide initiatives, making sure our school creates a supportive climate for students and reporting to the administration any concerning trends or safety issues. 

On Wednesday September 4 I plan to attend the parent council meeting to introduce myself and get some feedback from you regarding the best ways I can serve you and your children.  I am very much looking forward to enhancing the strong culture of excellence and character building at PHS by creating this counseling program together with all you!