K-5th Grade School Counseling News
October 2026
👾 Welcome to October, Gamers! 👾
A new month means a new opportunity to level up your skills, your mindset, and your character! This month, your school counselors are challenging you to focus on one powerful character skill:
⭐ CHARACTER WORD OF THE MONTH: INTEGRITY
Integrity means doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.
Think of integrity as an important part of your character's power-up pack! It helps you make responsible choices, build trust, and show others that your words and actions match.
🎮 Your Integrity Quest:
🕹️ Be honest: even when telling the truth is difficult.
🕹️ Keep your promises and commitments.
🕹️ Take responsibility for your choices.
🕹️ Do the right thing, even when no one is watching.
🕹️ Treat others with respect, both online and offline.
🏆 LEVEL-UP CHALLENGE
This month, ask yourself:
“What choice can I make today that shows integrity?”
Maybe it's admitting a mistake, helping someone who needs support, completing your work honestly, or standing up for what's right.
Remember, every choice is a move in the game of life. You don't have to be perfect—you just have to keep making choices that help you become the best version of yourself.
🎮 GAME ON, Champions!
Your school counselors are here to help you level up, overcome challenges, and reach your goals. Keep growing, keep learning, and keep building a character you're proud of!
💙 YOUR COUNSELORS ARE ROOTING FOR YOU!
Make good choices. Build strong character. Level up your future!
October's Power-Up Word: INTEGRITY
⭐ Do the right thing: even when no one is watching!
Keep leveling up, K–5 students! We believe in YOU! 🌟🏆
You can reach your counselor by calling the main number 404-334-4790 and then dialing the extension beside their name or contacting them via email. Both have been provided for you below.
Mrs. Edgecombe (K-5 Counseling Lead)
Ms. Newman (1st/2nd Grade Counselor)
Mrs. Lowe (3rd/4th Grade Counselor)
Mrs. Hawkins (4th/5th Grade Counselor)
Primary and Elementary School Worker
Ms. Cassandra Doss
Email: cdoss@georgiacyber.org
Phone ext. 12846
I am super excited about the 25-26 school year and working to support you! My virtual office is always open. Please don't hesitate to reach out.
Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15)
From September 15 to October 15, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the heritage, history, traditions, and cultural diversity of Hispanic Americans whose heritage is rooted in Spain and 19 countries and territories: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.
National Bullying Prevention Month
National Bullying Prevention Month is observed every October to raise awareness, educate communities, and promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to stop childhood bullying and cyberbullying.
Positive Attitude Month
Power-Up with Positive Choices
We are going to have a great time this year as we explore careers, build character, and learn skills to help you become the best students you can be and ACE the school year!
** Please understand if your student does not get called on or recognized individually in class, emails are always welcome if your child wants to share something with their school counselor**
Unlock Your Best Self
Character Word of the Month: Integrity
SAY IT:
Integrity: Choosing to be truthful in whatever you say and do
KNOW IT:
ASK A GROWN-UP:
• How does it make you feel when someone isn’t truthful with you?
• How does it make you feel when someone is truthful, even when it is hard?
ASK A KID:
• Have you had someone tell you a lie recently? How did it make you feel?
• Can you think of a time you told a lie? How did that make you feel?
SEE IT:
Read the following quotes and have each family member pick their favorite. Tell each other
why it is your favorite and what it means to you.
“Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish others.” — Mark Twain
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King
BE IT:
As a family, create a quote about honesty, truthfulness, and integrity. Decide why it is
important, how it supports the family, how it improves your life and others’ lives, and the
positive impact it has on the world.
Free Your Feels! Georgia crisis line for Georgia youth that need support
Free Your Feels is a mental health awareness campaign encouraging Georgia's young people to explore their real feelings and share them without being afraid.
Interested in raising awareness about youth mental health? This toolkit will help you get started. With social media posts, infographics, and helpful tips, you'll be equipped to start the conversation. Click on the Free Your Feel image to the right to access the toolkit!
The K-5th grade Counselors are sending a big shout out to ALL students celebrating birthday's in October. We are wishing you a very happy day, and a splendid year.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU AND MANY MORE!!!!!!
TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GCA.
CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR MORE GCA EVENTS AND IMPORTANT DATES!
Player Broadcast
Georgia Cyber Academy: www.georgiacyber.org
Parent Calendar: https://www.georgiacyber.org/calendars/parent-calendar
Elementary Counseling Website: https://www.georgiacyber.org/school-life/counseling/k5-counseling
School Counseling Website:
Mission Statement
The mission of the Georgia Cyber Academy’s (GCA) Counseling & Student Support Services Department is to provide a comprehensive program that is accessible to all students and assists students with acquiring the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to become effective students, responsible citizens, and lifelong learners. The student services program is an integral part of the school’s total program with a commitment to individual uniqueness and the maximum development of human potential. We use a variety of differentiated interventions to ensure each student receives equitable services. The program addresses the personal/social, educational, and career needs and desires of each GCA student . The department’s ultimate goal is for students to graduate with the competencies necessary to be able to make self-directed, realistic, and responsible decisions and to be successful contributors to society.
Vision Statement
Through a holistic approach, the Georgia Cyber Academy Counseling Department will empower all students to reach their highest potential by using a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes academic, career and personal/social development. Our program will foster the growth of each student as a civic minded contributor with their local communities and beyond. Upon graduation, students will be college and/or career ready and will have the competencies necessary to be able to make self-directed, realistic, and responsible decisions to be successful contributors to society.
Belief Statement
The GCA Counseling & Student Support Services believe:
- Students’ ability to learn is dependent upon having their basic needs met.
- All students are unique, and when given a safe, nurturing environment, will succeed to their fullest potential
- All students should have access to a high quality education
- All students have the right to be heard and treated with respect
- Members of our department are advocates for every student
- The services and interventions we provide should be data driven and developmentally appropriate
- Staying abreast of ethical standards and developments within our profession is necessary to effectively serve our students
- Applying the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors empowers school counselors to make decisions based on the highest moral principles to promote the maximum development of every student