WPS Newsletter

November 6: Early Out-1:30

November 9: School Picture Retakes

November 11: No School-Veterans Day

November 20: Early Out-1:30

November 26: No School-Thanksgiving

November 27: No School

As we settle into the school year, October is a great time for students to check in on their academic progress, personal goals, relationships, and future plans. I am always here to help students navigate whatever this school year brings!

Secondary School

What a phenomenal start to the school year!

This year, instead of using Flex for counselor lessons, I am partnering with the health classes and a few teachers. There is one grade I am still using Flex time, but having that time back for student needs has been incredible.

The students have attended many college and career fairs or have some coming up. The sophomores go to Bismarck with me the first week of November for the Career Expo, and the Freshmen have gone to Washburn. There have been tons of different colleges tabling during lunch as well.

All of our seniors who planned to have applied to college. Many also have completed the FAFSA already. College application month is such a fun time of year because this gets students excited for life outside of the building they are used to. Yes, college application month is very heavy on college to-do lists, but there are many activities that coincide for students that are entering the military or the workforce as well. For example, while some students are filling out the FAFSA, others are completing a personality test on their financial habits. This then helps them analyze and review a true life skill.

All 11th graders will be taking the ASVAB on November 25th at 8:30 am in Mrs. Spelhaug’s room. If students have a conflict, they need to make me aware right away!

All 11th graders will be taking the ACT on March 3rd, 2027. Please let me know if there is a conflict for your family ASAP.

The PreACT for 10th graders is scheduled for February 24th, 2027. Please let me know if there is a conflict. This one is a bit more flexible, so do not worry too much about changing plans.

Elementary School

The past months’ lessons consisted of managing worries, what you school counselor does, resilience, personal space, and being vulnerable. I had many parents reach out to me saying their child has mentioned their “bubble”. I love to see when the students truly soak up the lessons that are taught in the classroom.

This month’s movie feature is Hocus Pocus. Hocus Pocus is most consistently available for streaming on Disney+, since it is a Disney film. Families with a Disney+ subscription can typically access it there. It is also often available to rent or purchase digitally through platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and YouTube as well.

• Which character would you want as your friend? What makes them a good friend?
• Dani really cares about Max. What are some ways she shows that she cares?
• Max makes some mistakes throughout the movie. What can we learn from making mistakes?
• Thackery Binx had to face some pretty scary things. What helped the characters keep going when they were scared?
• If you were part of the group, what would you do to help save the day?
• The characters all have different personalities. What makes each of them special?
• Billy Butcherson helps the kids even though he is a little scary! Have you ever been surprised by someone being kind?
• If you could give one character some advice, what would you tell them?
• At the end of the movie, everyone works together. Why is it sometimes easier to solve a problem when we work as a team?
• What is one thing you would do to make sure everyone feels included if you were part of their group?