First, I am going to be working with students in small groups on two topics. The topics are Stress Management and Friendship Support. Groups begin next week. Students have all been informed of the opportunity. A permission form is required to participate and is due on Friday of this week. Sometimes students are unsure about participating in a group with the counselor, they worry about the stigma that it will be very "touchy/feely" - but I am working to let them know that counseling groups operate very much like activities I do with them in the classroom. If you feel your student may benefit from time talking with peers about dealing with high stress levels or challenges that come with middle school friendships, please consider having them join one of these groups. As always, feel free to call me for more information.
Second, I will be starting a new after school club that will meet on Mondays, called Community Club. Our first meeting is today. Community Club is focused on contributing to our positive school climate. We will consider together what events we could sponsor. I will be suggesting Kindness is Contagious Week in February as an example. If the students are interested we may look into service projects for our Greater KC area as well. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with our students in this manner.
In Advisory this quarter students will be examining the concept of "scholarship." We will be looking at the myths that our students sometimes accept when it comes to scholarship and encouraging them to look at risk taking/failure through a new lens. Our hope is to further develop a love of life-long learning, create a learning atmosphere where academic risk taking is supported and to give students permission to let go of perfectionism while striving for excellence. Each Monday in advisory students will discuss a concept related to scholarship and on Tuesdays students will be introduced to an example of someone in the world of business, sports, entertainment, etc who embodies the idea of scholarship as we see it. This week students will watch a short video with Matt Cutts of Google.
Lastly I wanted to share something really fun that has been happening in my little office. Before break I had a puzzle on the table in my office and now I have coloring pages with colored pencils. The students come in during their breaks to relax and enjoy a relaxing project together. I have had the pleasure of getting to small talk with them and gain some insight into what is happening at school through their eyes. Have I mentioned before that I have the best job in the world?
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