So many times I catch myself driving to work with my mind thinking about all that needs to be done during the day. Teaching lessons, counseling students, collaborating with teachers, administrators, and outside resources, coordinating small group counseling, attending meetings...just to name a few things....and that is all in the span of about four hours. I am consumed with just the day to day happenings. I need to put on the brakes. I need to reflect. I need to slow down. There is so much to be thankful for. I look at the faces of our kids and see the beauty in them. I feel excited about the potential behind their abilities. Admittedly so, as a school counselor, I don't always get to hear positive things. No....I am not talking about getting "at-a-boys" for myself...I mean the phone calls about a family splitting up and how painful it has been for the kids, for example. Or hearing about a mother who has died suddenly leaving behind three beautiful children...going to the funeral home and loving on them as much as I can. Knowing that I have families here that need help at the holidays. Despite all of that, I am thankful....for time with your children, for getting to know them, for teaching them, for hugging them, for providing snacks for them, for having a safe place for them, for encouraging them, for supporting them, for guiding them, and most of all....for learning from them...I.am.thankful.
Hello again! As an incentive for students to do well in guidance classes, we started the year out doing ClassDojo. If you haven't gotten an opportunity to check into this, it is a wonderful internet based positive behavior system that rewards students for doing well. It can also be used as a way for students to see when they need to improve on their behavior. As a reward, when students get to 20 points, they are given the code to go home and change their "avatar"-this is the little monster that represents them online. At the bottom of the parent information sheet about changing their avatar, there is a place for you to sign and return to me. PLEASE DO NOT SEND THIS BACK IN! IT IS FOR YOU TO KEEP AT HOME!! FYI....you can do classdojo with your child at home as a positive reward system as well. Enjoy!!!!
I am going to be sending home letters to you all about our lessons that are called "home links". There is a piece for you to discuss with your child what we have been doing in guidance classes on the bottom. The kids can draw a picture and describe what they are doing in the picture. It would be great if you would send that back into school so that I can make sure you are aware of what is happening in guidance classes. I know, in my previous communication, I said it wasn't necessary to send back in, but it would be a great way for me to know that you are aware of what we do with your children.
Thanks for your support!!! So excited to start my novel study today with four of our five fifth grade classrooms. Parents, check out this letter that you should be getting home with your kids today.... If you have any questions about the book we are reading, here is a link to go to that will give you more information about the book: http://www.randomhousekids.com/books/detail/208913-wonder?isbn=9780375869020#.VGpabvnF_To If your child comes home and tells you about the songs we sing in guidance, here is the link to the songs that we always end with guidance classes with: |
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