Counselor Weekly Update 12/20/24

• Jan 9: HS DT 230-430 p
• Jan 10: Teacher Course Request Recommendation Day

Highlighting the ways we support our campus through the four components of the comprehensive guidance program through:

Classroom Guidance Lesson

Individual Planning

Responsive Services

System Support

Thank you to Ms. Richelle Morales for sharing her class time with us this week. We enjoyed providing a classroom guidance lesson on communicating emotions.

Students will see their spring schedules in HAC when we return for the spring semester. Any schedule changes that were previously discussed and approved will occur once report cards are finalized.

Consequently, schedule changes will not occur until Thursday, January 9, 2025.

Preparing your students before they sit down with the counselors can ensure a smooth course registration process. Counselors can give the students facts about courses, but we are unable to promote courses or programs. As teachers, you are the experts of your prospective programs and courses. The input you can provide our students is invaluable. The Teacher Course Request Recommendation forms will be placed in your mailboxes when we return for the spring semester.

This year, we are introducing a Teacher Course Recommendation Day to facilitate meaningful discussions with your students.

Teacher Recommendation Day - January 10

11th grade Course Registrations- January 13-17

8th grade course selection days- January 30 & 31

10th grade Course Registrations- February 10-14

9th grade Course Registrations- February 18-25

A little giggle makes you giddy. A little giddy makes you glad. A little glad makes you grateful.

Many of our students are dealing with trauma, consequently it may be difficult for them to focus on your curriculum. Take a moment to be curious rather than reactive when a student acts out or withdraws. Talk with the student one on one to show them that you care and are concerned about their behavior. Begin to build rapport with the student. It's not always easy and it won't happen overnight but your persistence will benefit the student.

If a student makes a suicidal out cry please follow the protocol below. We have to take it seriously every single time, even if the student says they were just playing around.

1. It's best to walk the student to the counseling office but sometimes it is not possible.
2. If you cannot walk the student to the counseling office, please call the counselor assigned to the student or call our counseling secretary. DO NOT SEND AN EMAIL. DO NOT SEND A CHAT.
3. An administrator or counselor will come to your classroom if you are unable to walk the student to the counseling office.
4. Once the student is with a counselor, they will assess the student using a suicidal ideation screener. The student's responses will determine our next steps.

We as educators are human beings with real life traumas and challenging circumstances in our lives outside of work. Some of us are dealing with struggles in our mental health. Reaching out for help is a superpower not a weakness. NISD has a resource that may be beneficial to you called the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAP can be accessed by calling The Standard 1-888-293-6948 or visiting http://members.healthadvocate.com/.