Counselor Weekly Update 12/6/24

• Dec 9: Magnet Fair at Paul Taylor 6:30-8:00 pm
• Dec 10: Alg 1 EOC RT
  
• Dec10: HC/AD/Assoc. Principal Workshop 1:30-4:30 pm
• Dec 11: Team Mtg. 7th & 8th periods
• Dec 12: Healthy Relationships Classroom Guidance Lesson

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

Classroom Guidance Lesson

Due to the critical incident in October, we were unable to meet with our 10th-grade students in Ms. Vidal's English class. We want to express our gratitude for her flexibility and patience as we coordinated to find a date to meet with her classes.

This week is Inclusive Schools week, the theme is "Every Voice Matters". Inclusive Schools week focuses on promoting inclusion, respect and diversity in schools.

The activities in this booklet are brief and can be used at anytime of the year to include warm-ups, healthy debates, class conversations that encourage students to respect our diverse campus culture.

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.

This year, we are introducing a Teacher Course Recommendation Day to facilitate meaningful discussions with your students. These recommendation days will take place on the Friday prior to grade level registrations.

11th Grade Teacher Recommendation Day - January 10

11th grade Course Registrations- January 13-17

8th grade course selection days- January 30 & 31

10th Grade Teacher Recommendation Day- February 7

10th grade Course Registrations- February 10-14

9th Grade Teacher Recommendation Day- February 14

9th grade Course Recommendations- February 18-25

Some of you may have a class period or two that exhausts you beyond words, every single day. The thought of dealing with the students in that period (or two) may be causing you enormous stress, anxiety and possibly questioning your commitment to teaching.

If you are looking for a reset in your classroom next semester, the video below may inspire you to shake things up a bit.

Which one are you?

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/.