We are so excited to have Ms. Keierah Hathaway with us here in the School Counseling Department! She is a student from NYU and is one of Hanover's own! She grew up in Mechanicsville and graduated from Lee Davis. She is an excellent resource for us here as she is already jumping in seeing students individually, helping out with minute meetings, teaching core curriculum (guidance) classes and loving lunch duty! Ms. Hathaway will be with us until February of 2019. Welcome Ms. Hathaway! Wait....I thought this was Core Curriculum (aka Guidance) classes? What are we doing singing in Core Curriculum???? Well, we are learning about the brain, actually specific parts of the brain right now, to help us with our mindfulness. Ask your child to describe to you what the wise owl, security guard and memory stick does for us!
It may seem redundant for me to state, but children who attend school on a routine basis, achieve at a higher rate than those students who don't. We try very hard to teach students the skills, such as reading skills, so that they can successfully continue along their academic career. One measure we use for success is whether or not a child is reading on grade level. You may not know, but this is paramount to all educators. Why, you may ask? Because the research shows, that if children are not reading on grade level, they will fall farther and farther behind their peers which leads to self confidence issues, academic frustration.....we could go on and on.
Preliminary data from a California study found that children who were chronically absent in kindergarten and 1st grade were far less likely to read proficiently at the end of 3rd grade. We can help you keep you if you are struggling to get your child to school on time and on a routine basis. Contact Mrs. Donaldson, WHES's School [email protected] or calling 723-2308 at any time! WHES, we are so blessed! Hope Community Church of the Nazarene has donated many things to us this year. Before school started, they donated 27 backpacks FILLED to the BRIM with supplies! And this week, they donated all of these snacks! We have a snack tub in the Counselor's classroom for students who cannot afford to bring snacks to school. Unfortunately, there are times when our supplies are very low. Well, that isn't going to be a problem for a long time because of Hope Community's donations! THANK YOU HOPE COMMUNITY!!!!!
All kinds of new things this year for WHES! One of those is the opportunity for all kinds of stakeholders to be part of a group this year that helps made decisions about our School Counseling program. During the 2018-2019 school year, we will only have two meetings; one in the fall and one in the spring. We will look at data that is compiled, on an annual basis, and see how we can have the best School Counseling program in Hanover County! If you interested in participating, email Mrs. Donaldson at [email protected]!
I look forward to collaborating with you for the good of our students! We are so excited about initiating a program here at WHES called Career Cafes! Career Exploration is vital at all age levels. The goal, at the elementary age, is to expose kids to the world of work in so many ways! So, we are going to ask students which careers they would like to learn more about and invite speakers in to discuss those careers. Look for more info to come home for an opportunity for YOU to volunteer soon!!
During core curriculum classes, students who conduct themselves in a very "sparkly" fashion, will earn a gem from Mrs. Donaldson. These are just little plastic gems that help the kids feel good about their choices. In addition, each student will be getting a counselor gram from Mrs. Donaldson. These are just little notes of encouragement that let them know how special they are to me. I hope they enjoy them!
I am so excited about starting classes with your children! I love teaching to support our school wide goal of developing our student's skills that will allow them to be well rounded adults! Have you ever wondered why your child doesn't have class with me every week? Well, 60% of my time needs to be spent in direct student services...i.e. individual and small group counseling. Teaching all 400 students each week would not allow that to occur. So, I see all 400 twice a month! Look on the the Core Curriculum Classes above to see more details about what each class is doing!
I am sure you have all heard this quote. I don't know who originally penned this but I am borrowing it for my theme this year! As I am embark on my 12th year here at WHES, I am reminded, daily, how blessed I am to be serving as the school counselor in this wonderful community. To the number of school supplies donated...Hope Community Church provided 26 FULL backpacks (and we have had many other organizations, such as the Ruritan Club's Auxiliary group and the Hanover Youth Services Council), the amazing PTA, who gave the staff bath bombs during work week and the NEW PLAYGROUND, our new fantastic principal, Mrs. Thompson and to the kids whose hugs I have eaten up all day long today because I have missed them. Our school wide theme this year is "The Power of One". We all have the power to change other's lives, just by being that one who sets an example, embraces failure, inspires others, supports other and chooses kind. I can't wait to see how our kids grow this year in all of these aspects. Because, after all, today, and every day, is a great day to have a great day!
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Sara Donaldson, M.S.WHES' Professional School Counselor Categories |
The mission of Washington-Henry's Elementary School’s Counseling Program is to provide all students with a comprehensive school counseling program centered around a nurturing and supportive environment in which all students gain knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for academic, career, and personal/social development to become life-long learners, problem solvers, and responsible individuals.
WHES School Counseling Department Information