Sunday, May 19, 2013

Student Council

The counseling program at Numa Elementary is designed to be developmental, pro-active, and preventative.  My intent is to spend time in every classroom, building rapport with all students and providing guidance lessons on a variety of topics.  There is planned guidance at every grade level.  First through third grades learn safety and social skills, fourth grade gets training in conflict resolution and peer mediation, fifth grade has a DARE program (drug & alcohol resistance education), and sixth grade has "Why Try" (a program that emphasizes team building and healthy life choices).  As needs arise, I go into specific classrooms to address other relevant topics.  I also work with the classroom teachers to make sure all students review and are familiar with our school-wide anti-bullying policy, "Recognize, Refuse, & Report".

We believe it is important for all students to be attending, behaving, and achieving at school.  As the school counselor, when there is a concern in any of those areas, I work closely with students, parents, teachers, and support staff to help provide interventions and resources.  As time permits, I also invite groups of students to attend "lunch circles" that provide support and positive interaction centered on areas of student concern. 

Our Numa staff places an emphasis on character education and student leadership.  Each month we focus as a school on one of the six character pillars, Respect, Responsibility, Citizenship, Caring, Fairness, and Trustworthiness.  Students in the fourth grade are trained as Peer Mediators, and have the opportunity to help younger students learn to solve their problems using good communication and conflict resolution skills.  Fifth and sixth graders have the opportunity to serve on Numa's Student Council.  I work with these student leaders to promote school spirit, planning activities that build teamwork and encourage community service.