Monday, September 23, 2013

The Bricks Are Coming Down!

Last Thursday in our assembly the 8th grade students performed their skits showcasing our 3 pillars of character: Scholarship, Integrity and Compassion.  The skits served as a way for these students to share with the 6th and 7th grade the insights they gained during Leadership Day.  In addition, the 8th grade created posters representing each of these pillars, however, they are currently covered with paper bricks.  Now the leadership really begins!  The class of 2018 is charged with the task of watching the actions of their younger peers.  They are looking for behaviors that convey compassion, integrity and scholarship.  When an 8th grade student witnesses such an occurrence, they remove a brick from their poster and write a note to the recipient about the excellent character they demonstrated.  Our posters are starting to come into view; the brick wall between us and our pillars is coming down!





As we know, leadership is not something that is learned in a finite amount of time.  The skills of a great leader are refined constantly.  As such, we feel it is important to start building leadership skills in the 6th grade.  Each year our 6th grade girls complete a program called, Step Up, which focuses on positive self-esteem, conflict resolution and solutions to common adolescent challenges.  This year I have the joy of getting to work with these girls through their PE class on the Step Up program.  Last Friday we had some really fantastic discussions about bullying, teasing, and exclusion.  The girls impressed me with their honesty, respect and empathy.  Together we brainstormed ways to respond as a bystander and ways to respond as someone who may be feeling hurt.  We even talked about understanding bullying behavior from the perspective of the bully.  I am thoroughly enjoying my time with them each Friday!  It is helping me get to know them, in fact, I may know all of their names now!  I'm very much looking forward to working with the boys in November and December!

I also wanted to share with you some upcoming group counseling opportunities.  The following are links to the permission/student commitment forms for the groups.  Some students are getting one of these from me because they have indicated an interest in one of these groups on their needs assessment survey or because they were referred by a teacher.  If you would like to talk to your child about possibly participating in one of these groups, feel free to print this form.  Forms are due on FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27 in order to participate. 

Body Image/Self-Esteem Group  
*will be offered to both boys and girls in separate groups

Boys Leadership Group



Monday, September 16, 2013

In Full Swing

What a cool, comfortable fall morning we are having!  I love it; I think it signals all those things we associate with the school year being under full swing.  The introductions are over and we are in our groove!  Sports are beginning their competition seasons, student groups are meeting after school, and students are reminding the staff what color class we are starting with each morning! 

Our 8th grade is also firmly establishing themselves as the leaders of our school.  I had the honor to join them last Friday in the afternoon at Shawnee Mission Park for Leadership Day.  I heard about the challenging morning they had as they fumbled through activities that forced them to communicate and have patience with each other.  This Thursday during assembly our 8th grade will share some of their insights with the rest of the student body and then spend the semester looking for opportunities to recognize 6th and 7th grade students who are showcasing Scholarship, Integrity and Compassion.

Often as I was getting acquainted with PHS I would hear others tell me that they witness quite a bit of collaboration and students supporting each other.  I was able to see that in action this week during an advisory competition.  Senora Araiza's group figured out how to flip their table cloth over rather quickly and when Senora Wolfe's class learned of their success, they quickly asked for help.  Araiza's advisory responded with excitement at the chance to help their fellow students and immediately rushed over to share their strategy!
The table cloth activity also allowed some leaders to emerge.  Students would often begin the activity all talking at once and working against each other.  But as they began to feel frustration, one or two voices would call out to the group to listen and to all try the same strategy.  Group work, though challenging, is an essential part of a student's educational experience - and it should be.  As school reform continues to be a hot topic, employers are often asked what skills they would like to see new employees bring to the table.  Over and over again, employers stress soft skills such as cooperation, problem-solving and communication skills. 

While we know that students can always use more practice in leadership and communication skills, it can be helpful to assess the other social/emotional and academic needs of our students.  Last week I invited you to respond to a needs assessment survey.  I also asked staff and students for their input.  Below is a link to a summary of the results.  This information will be used to guide the curriculum and counseling opportunities provided to students for the next couple of years at Pembroke Hill.  I plan to conduct the assessment again in 2-3 years to stay on top of any changing needs.  Though this particular opportunity to provide your opinions has passed, I am always just a phone call or email away!
Needs Assessment Results

Additionally, I wanted to provide you with the link to the presentation by Dr. Stephen Lassen here at PHS last Wednesday afternoon.  He spoke on the recovery process for children/adolescents and parents after a traumatic event. 
Trauma Presentation



Monday, September 9, 2013

The sensitive nature of counseling

When students talk with a school counselor they share their hopes, their worries, their unique selves; in essence, they share what makes them vulnerable and human.  A school counselor has the responsibility to honor those things that make each student an individual, affirming and encouraging them through life's daily challenges.  As one might imagine, trust is central to this process and takes time to build.  Trust is established through listening, understanding, empathy and confidentiality.  Students know when they talk with me that what they say is confidential.  The American School Counselor Association ethical codes discuss confidentiality at length  At the heart of the ethical codes are these tenants:
  • Inform students of the right to confidentiality and the limits of confidentiality
  • Share the importance and limits of confidentiality with the school community through various methods
  • Recognize and respect the complicated nature of maintaining confidentiality in schools
  • Protect students safety through disclosure to appropriate adults when a situation presents forseeable harm
  •  Follow mandated reporting  and FERPA laws
  • Balance a student's right to confidentiality with an obligation to parents/guardians in supporting them as the primary influence in their child's life
  • Promote autonomy of students, while considering their developmental age and circumstances
In my daily conversations with students, faculty and parents I will protect student confidentiality to the fullest extent possible.  I talk with students about this right to privacy, but we also discuss other adults that could be beneficial to include.  Often students want to share with their parents, advisor, or other key adults in the school, so as to build a strong support network for themselves.  We discuss what is appropriate to share with whom and how to go about doing that.  I try to be transparent with students about who I talk to regarding their situation.  Middle school is a time in which students begin to understand themselves as their own person and learn who they are.  They crave privacy and understanding, even when they feel no one can possibly understand them.  So much is delicate during these three years of life, and school counselors are in a unique position to support students in their personal growth by treating them with dignity, respecting their values/beliefs, and offering a confidential setting to talk through whatever may be on their mind.

In addition to sharing information with all of you regarding confidentiality in my role, I am seeking your feedback in an effort to ensure the school counseling program meets the needs of the Pembroke Hill Community.  If you have a few free minutes, I would appreciate your answers to the questions at the following link:
Parent Needs Assessment

I will be sharing the results of this needs assessment, and the ones given to staff and students, soon. 

Lastly, I have included a link to a short video I shared at the Parent Council meeting last week.  It does a nice job briefly describing what it means to have comprehensive school counseling program in a school.
Comprehensive School Counseling