Cue the “Chariots of Fire” Theme Song!
If you don’t know that song: First, I feel old. Second, Google it and listen! I’ll wait… If you DO know the song, let it play in your head until you’re content. And then, read on...
Happy May!! We all made it! Can you believe we are coming to the conclusion of yet another year? It was sure a great one here at Washington. I watched students develop empathy, kindness, responsibility, friendship skills, problem-solving skills, and more!
When people ask me what a School Counselor does, I am not sure where to begin. From helping students practice their friendship problem-solving skills after getting into arguments, to creating grief projects when they lose a loved one, to helping them work on building character, there are many pieces to the School Counselor’s “why am I here?” puzzle.
In our world today, one major issue I try to cover with our students is how to stay safe – online, at home, at places that are familiar to them, and in public. One thing I’ve become aware of over the past two decades is how common it is for children to be abused by people their parents would never suspect to be dangerous. April was Child Abuse Prevention month. I spent one whole Guidance lesson teaching safety, what abuse is (and isn’t), and who to tell if someone has or tries to hurt them. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the video they helped make on Facebook, I hope you find some time to watch it. They did a great job and you were likely mentioned as a trusted adult in their lives! Moms, dads, guardians, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmas, grandpas, older siblings, teachers, etc. etc. etc! We have a solid system of support in our Washington family. When you ask your kiddos what they learned, I hope they can share with you all they know! I also hope you’re impressed. We’re working to come along beside our families to empower growing kids to develop grit, character, and the skills they need not only to succeed but to keep themselves safe.
I love our Washington families and hope you all have a wonderful summer! Enjoy the sun, popsicles, ice-cream, water, camping, family time, and whatever your summer entails. See you in August!
~ Mrs. Simmons, School Counselor
