US Counseling & Advisory Newsletter

Freshmen and Sophomores enjoyed Sancho in the Woods, MAP testing, Meditation and a workshop on Email Tips & Tricks. Sophomores and Juniors did PSATs to prepare for SAT exams. Seniors did the Thriving Index Inventory as well as a meditation and affirmation exercise, which taught them how to relax the body while changing thought perceptions. Here is the guided meditation that many of you experienced and benefitted from.

During this exercise you mentally affirmed that:

• You are not defined by your test scores.
• You are not defined by your grades.
• You are not defined by what people think of you.

We encourage you to continue doing this meditation along with this positive self-talk and observe the beautiful changes in your perception.

We also invite you to go over this Newsletter and savor this month's highlights.

Tessa John-Guerra

US Counselor

Sancho In The Woods was created a few years ago by Javi García, the former US Counselor. In its conception it was meant to be an overnight trip to the mountains of Madrid, and that's how it was for its first three iterations.

The idea of the day trip is for the students to engage with each other and teacher chaperones in a relaxed outdoor setting, amid the rolling pines of the Sierra de Madrid, as they undertake a wide variety of fun outdoor activities that include zip-lining, climbing and archery. Everyone revels in fun sports as macro and micro-communities are forged.

The entire group is then treated to a hot meal before they board the bus back to school.

The trip is a great kick-starter to the year and in its best versions, it becomes a great way to set the tone for the rest of the school year.

Eric Foinquinos

Advisor & Sancho Chaperone

Upper School Social Studies and Arts Teacher

Chimamanda's Ted Talk on The danger of a single story was featured and powerful follow-up questions were posed such as:

• How and why do we project single stories on others?
• How do our emotions shift when we realize there is more than a single story?
• How can we transcend our perceptions in relation to other people’s single stories?

As Juniors and Seniors continue this journey into next month, the Black in Madrid docu-series will be screened leaving enough time during Advisory to discuss salient points arising from the different episodes.

The Purpose of these series is:

1. To imagine the single stories we might tell - or might be told by others - about ourselves.
2. To consider ways in which we can transcend our perceptions in relation to other people's "single stories".
3. To explore how "a single story" can perpetuate stereotypes.

Key Skills students develop in this process are:

Empathy

Observation

Self-Awareness

Mindful Listening

Awareness of our unconscious biases

Extending ideas through group discussions

Chimamanda reminds us that we must not only seek diverse points of view, we must also tell our own stories, ones that are true to our own personal experiences.

Sip some tea or maté during this long weekend and take some time to listen to the above!!!

SCAN this QR code to book an available appointment slot with Upper School Guidance Counselor Tessa. A Google Meet link can also be generated for parent support consultations.

Did you miss the other Newsletters?

1. Please go over all the past newsletters where you will find different study strategies under the sub-heading of Study Skills.
2. Then go over all the different professions explored under the sub-heading of Career Guidance.

Email: tessajohn@asmadrid.es
Website: asmadrid.org
Location: American School of Madrid, Calle América, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain
Phone: 34 917401902