Counselor Newsletter
September/October
Hello Bulldog Families,
Fall is finally here! As we begin the month of October, we’re excited to focus on important themes that help shape our students' character and well-being. This month, our counseling program will highlight topics such as respect, kindness, and making positive, healthy choices.
We’ll be participating in several meaningful initiatives, including our Anti-Bullying Campaign and the Red Ribbon Week celebration, which promotes drug-free lifestyles. Through classroom lessons and school-wide activities, students will learn how to treat others with compassion, stand up against bullying, and make choices that support a safe and healthy future.
Please take a moment to read through this newsletter to learn more about our upcoming events and the valuable lessons your child will experience throughout the month.
The lessons that I will cover throughout the year will be focused on one of the following competencies:
- Intrapersonal Relationships: This includes developing self-confidence, making good decisions, and taking responsibility for their actions.
- Interpersonal Relationships: This focuses on respecting others, communicating effectively, and navigating relationships with their friends and family.
- Post-secondary Planning and Career Readiness: We help students stay motivated in school and begin to explore future goals for college and careers.
- Personal Health and Safety: Students learn coping skills, how to set boundaries, and personal safety.
Resolving Problems Peacefully
Kelso's Choices:
Content Area: Interpersonal Effectiveness
Student Competency: Students utilize effective conflict resolution skills.
PreK–5th graders participated in lessons on problem-solving and conflict resolution skills through a program called Kelso’s Choices. This was a two-part lesson in which students learned the difference between small/minor problems and big problems.
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Big problems are situations that are dangerous, unsafe, or involve someone getting hurt. In these cases, students must seek the help of a trusted adult.
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Small /Minor problems are situations that may make someone feel angry, frustrated, annoyed, or embarrassed.
Students practiced effective communication skills and explored strategies from Kelso’s Choices to learn positive ways to manage and solve small problems independently. They were also able to apply their skills in problem solving stations.
Family discussion:
1. What is a minor problem you faced today? How did you handle it?
2. What would be a big problem? Who would you go to for help?
3. Parents can share a minor problem they had at work or with a friend and how they handled it. This can model healthy problem solving for kids.
Respect
Do Unto Otters
Content Area: Interpersonal Effectiveness
Student Competency: Students will demonstrate respectful and empathetic interactions with peers and other by applying the Golden Rule- treat others how you want to be treated.
Students in Pre-K through 2nd grade will read Do Unto Otters, a story about Mr. Rabbit, who becomes anxious when new neighbors—the Otters—move in next door. Unsure of how to interact with them, he turns to Mr. Owl for guidance. Mr. Owl shares a simple but meaningful piece of advice: “Do unto otters as you would have otters do unto you.” As the story unfolds, Mr. Rabbit learns what it means to treat others with kindness and respect, covering important social skills like politeness, honesty, sharing, and forgiveness. The book illustrates how following the Golden Rule helps build friendships and positive relationships.
Family Discussion:
1. How can we be kind and respectful from people who are different from us?
2. How did you practice using the Golden Rule today at school/work?
2. Everyone in the family can share a time when they practiced using the Golden Rule.
Anti-Bullying Lesson:
Content Area: Interpersonal and Intrapersonal relationships
Student Competency: Recognize that everyone has rights and responsibilities, use effective communication skills, learn how to make and keep friends.
The Weird Series by Erin Frankel is a trilogy that will be shared with 3rd and 4th graders. These three books tell the story of an ongoing case of bullying from three third graders’ perspectives. Luisa describes being targeted by bullying in Weird! Jayla shares her experience as a bystander to bullying in Dare! And in Tough!, Sam speaks from the point of view of someone initiating bullying. Kids will easily relate to Luisa, Jayla, and Sam, as each girl has her own unique experience, eventually learning how to face her challenges with the help of friends, peers, and caring adults. Each book concludes with "activity club" pages for kids, as well as information to help parents, teachers, counselors, and other adults reinforce the books' messages and foster dialogue with children.
Family Discussion:
1. Have you ever felt left out or treated unkindly? How did it make you feel? What helped you feel better?
2. What are some safe ways you can stand up for someone who is being bullied?
3. What can you do each day to help others feel included and respected?
Sarah's Sick Day
Content Area: Personal Health and Safety
Student Competency: Students incorporate wellness practices into daily living.
Sarah really wants to go to school today, but she's feeling very sick. It's share day, her favorite day of the week. If she stays home, she'll miss sharing her new birthday doll, she'll miss snack time with her friend, Grace, and she'll miss story time. Her mom says she's going to call the doctor, but Sarah knows just what medicine she should take to feel better—or does she? This book will be read during our Red Ribbon Week for grades PreK-3rd. This story teaches students about medication safety and the importance of only taking medicine only by a trusted adult-- parent, nurse, or doctor.
Family Discussions:
1. What is the plan at home when you are feeling sick?
2. Who is the only person allowed to give you medicine?
