See Something, Say Something

Friday afternoon we closed out the week with an all school assembly.  We cheered for our returning students, as well as the students that have joined us this year.  We were even led in cheers by the high school cheer team!  It was a very fun filled assembly!

However, Dr. Leonard did take a moment to share an easy to remember motto with students, "See Something, Say Something."  This was presented to us as a staff in a school security meeting prior to the start of the school year.  See Something, Say Something was shared with our students in regards to the ways we interact with each other.  Later this week in Advisory students will talk through this motto together.  They will be asked to talk about the following questions:

1. What are things you might see that need to be shared for the good of others?
2. What would you say in response and to whom?

We will also tie "See Something, Say Something" to our four values of Respect, Compassion, Scholarship and Integrity.  

I also wanted to take a moment to share some more information with you about what school counselors do.  I like this document, The Role of the School Counselor, as an overview.  This year I will be seeing students for guidance lessons in Wellness classes and interjecting some lessons into the Advisory program.  Lessons are based on these Guidance Curriculum Standards.  I am also available to meet with students individually or in small groups on an as needed basis.  Students are welcome to stop by, send me an email or fill out a counselor request slip (on my door and in the main office) to arrange a time to talk.  

Advisory at PHS Middle School

We are off and running, and running quite smoothly at that!  Each student has met with their adviser today and gotten a bit of an introduction into what happens during Advisory time.  Advisory can be a difficult thing to define, as it is a flexible time in our day that allows for a variety of activities.  Here's what we can tell you with certainty about our Advisory program:

In the middle school, the Advisory program is designed to be mission-based, meaning it is reflective of the mission of our school.

Mission of PHS: The mission of The Pembroke Hill School is to enable all students to build character and to develop their intellectual, physical and creative abilities to the highest level

A mission-based Advisory program is:

• evaluated on the basis of service to the mission
• is focused on student engagement, but “engagement” is not always about having fun
• the cultural tendency is toward embracing the role of the adviser along with other mission-based, professional responsibilities
• activities involve students in a variety of ways and regularly engage them in reflecting on their learning experience
• parents regularly hear from advisers, administrators and others at school about what occurs in advisory and how students benefit from the program

The role of the adviser is to be a/an:

• advocate
• mentor
• encourager
• facilitator
• front-line contact

An adviser is not:

• disciplinarian
• friend
• counselor

Advisory Goals and Priorities 2014

RELATIONSHIPS * ONE-ON-ONES * CONTESTS * ROTATIONS * SERVICE LEARNING

Relationships

• Time set aside to socialize and activities to get to know each other
• Assisting our 8th grade students as mentors for the 6th and 7th grade
• Enhancing our RESPECT for ourselves and others
• Developing COMPASSION for those in our PHS and KC community

One-on-Ones

• Completed as Mid-Quarters are sent out
• Time will be set aside to meet with each advisee individually
• Nurturing our advisees understanding of SCHOLARSHIP

Contests

• Simple, Friday only contests
• Mostly designed by Student Advisory Panel
• To increase our relationships with our partner advisory groups, quarterly contest scores will be calculated as partners
• Practicing INTEGRITY in a fun way

Rotations

• Thursdays of Blue Week we will again have advisory rotations
• Will allow for 6th grade transition activities, 8th grade leadership activities, iPad support, study skills, study hall, open gym and additional announcements given there is no assembly on Blue Week
• Opportunities to focus on all 4 Values (RESPECT, COMPASSION, SCHOLARSHIP, INTEGRITY)

Service Learning

• Kids for Wish Kids - flexibility for each advisory to get involved as much or as little as they would like
• No planned service project during winter holidays, instead focusing on Make-A-Wish
• Coming together as a school with COMPASSION to make a difference for someone else

2014-15 Here We Come!

I have always been one of those people who gets excitedly anxious for a new school year.  The clean notebooks, new folders, the excuse to buy cute post-its - yup, sign me up!  But, of course, there is also the warm greetings - seeing my co-workers and the students again, establishing ourselves in a new year of our lives - this is the true joy of school for me.  In one week the halls outside my office will once again be filled with talkative teenagers - yahoo!!

Yet with the start of anything new (whether it's a new school, new building or new grade) it is perfectly normal to feel some nervousness.  And because no two teens are exactly alike, this nervous feeling shows itself in many different forms.  Some teens appear more tired, others have increased mood swings, still other teens will demonstrate apathy toward school, while others will come right out and tell us they feel worried.  So what do we do about it?  Usually we don't need to intervene too much.  But just in case, here are a few ideas:

• It can very helpful to hear that feeling anxiety over a change is completely normal and most of the students returning to school this fall feel somewhat nervous. Share with your teen how you approach new situations, believe it or not, they do value what you have to say!
• Coming up to school to practice your student's locker combination, find their classrooms and visit the bookstore are also simple ways to ease into the new year. 
•  I could go on and on about the benefits of sleep.  Try to get your teen to bed at a time that would give them at least 8 hours of sleep, more if you can.  You know how lovely tired teens are, right? It's more than just attitude though, our ability to cope with life's demands is so much stronger with a brain functioning at full capacity.
• Plan something special to do with your teen after their first day of school.  I'm thinking of taking my kids to a cupcake place, not the healthiest I know, but they will look forward to it because it's something we rarely do and we can talk about their day over a treat.
• Reach out - contact your student's adviser, Dr. Leonard, Mr. Carolan, Mr. Robertson, Mrs. Van Ness or myself.  It makes us feel needed and it means you don't have to support your teen on your own - win-win!

With all this talk of preparing for school to start, it's also important to remember to just enjoy the last days of summer.  My last day of summer was spent watching my 5 year old son master riding his bike without training wheels!  A perfect day for us to cherish as we move on to the school year.  (Side note - my apologies if I am teary the first day of school - he starts Kindergarten this year and my baby girl begins pre-school!!!! I may need tips from all of you!)  I hope you and your family create some fun memories this week.  Be sure to stop in and say hi this fall!  

Cheers to a new year!