Nicholson Stars Counselor

The Counselor's Corner

Parents,

As many of you already know, this is my last year at Nicholson Elementary.  I want to thank each and everyone of you for your support throughout the last four years.  Without your generosity and giving spirit and dedication, initiatives such as the Star Tree, food drive, and Career Day would not have been possible. 

Please know that you and your children will always hold a special place in my heart.  I truly have enjoyed my days with your children.  They are and will always be my "stars."

I hope that each of you has a safe, restful, relaxing summer and return to school energized for the challenges and excitement that the 2011-2012 school year will bring.

 

The Counselors' Corner

Nicholson Counseling Department Mission Statement

The mission of the Nicholson counseling program is to assist students in reaching their full potential.  Nicholson Elementary School counselors will implement a standards based comprehensive school counseling program that:

Includes a curriculum addressing the needs of all students in the domains of academic, personal/social, and career development

Provides specialized interventions based on identified student needs

Assists students in acquiring appropriate attitudes, knowledge, and communication skills to promote healthy relationships

Creates positive relationships with students fostering personal growth, service to others, and academic achievement

Fosters consultation and collaboration with teachers, administrators, parents, and community on behalf of all students

 

Dear Parents,

We wish to sincerely thank you for making our Career Day so successful.  Certainly without the commitment and dedication of our parents, the day would not be possible. 

Our students had varied careers to learn about ranging from fireman, to artist, to doctor, to rocket scientist.  The list goes on and on.  It is so wonderful when we have an opportunity to bridge education to a career that the students can personally hear about and understand what a day would be like in that profession.    

Parents, as you know we have CRCT testing that will begin April 12th and go through the 21st.  Testing tips and strategies will be posted on my blog as we get closer to April 12th.   

 

The Counselor's Corner

Parents,

Thank you so much for your tremendous support during the Thanksgiving and holiday season.  You once again have provided help to our families in the Nicholson community and will brighten many of our students' faces on Christmas morning.  Without your help, there is no way that we could provide this support to our families each year.  There are not enough words to express our appreciation.

During this month in guidance Ms. Barnett and I have focused on the importance of giving from our hearts.  We have stressed that we can show love to our family by helping with chores, making a card, or just giving a hug.  I have explained that the greatest gifts can be those that cost no money, the gift of love. 

Last month in guidance we focused on the Thanksgiving season and how much we each have to appreciate.  We also read the book Molly's Pilgrim which is about a young girl who is spending her first Thanksgiving in America.  The students and I discussed the importance of accepting all people and treating them with kindness and respect. 

I wish for each of you a wonderful safe, holiday season, and we will see you in the new year. 

 

The Counselor's Corner

Parents,

We are hopeful that you can join Mrs. Boyle and me for a workshop on helping your child be the most successful student he or she can be.  We will cover topics such as homework tips, organization, time management, etc.  There will be two sessions on Thursday, November 4th; one at 7:30 a.m. and one at 6:00 p.m. in the media center.  We certainly hope that one of these times will fit into your schedule. 

This week at Nicholson we are celebrating Red Ribbon Week which is a week that students in all schools throughout the country focus on saying NO to drugs and pledging to live healthy lifestyles.  This is also the focus of my guidance lessons last week and this week.  I have stressed the importance of making healthy choices and living a healthy lifestyle throughout life, not just one week during the year.

As many of you know we are beginning our holiday food drive Monday, November 1st, and our Star Tree will be in our lobby when you visit for our VIP lunch.  As always, we appreciate your support, and the support that you provide remains in our Nicholson school community.  We cannot express to you how much we appreciate your help in these difficult economic times.  Your contributions make it possible for some of our students to have a happy holiday season. 

My hope is that you and your family will have a happy fall as we enter into the holiday season.

 

 

The Counselor's Corner

Parents,

It is difficult to believe that we have already been in school for over a month.  I have had the opportunity to visit each classroom, and we have begun lessons on study skills.  Last week and this week, I have focused on listening and following directions.  In second grade we have also discussed what it means to be organized and how that will help us be better students.

In third grade the emphasis this week has been to review our schoolwide common language for bullying.  I discussed the definition in detail to ensure that each student knew what each part of the definition meant.  When we return from our fall break, students will take a survey for our Steps to Respect program.  Of course the pretest will require parent permission, and that information will be coming home very soon.  As you know, our Steps to Respect program is an anti-bullying program that has been implemented in third through fifth grades.  Following the survey, I will begin the program lessons in third grade. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful, relaxing fall break, and enjoy the lovely fall weather as we begin to feel fall in the air.  As always do not hesitate to call or e-mail me at any time that you have a concern.

 

The Counselor's Corner

Parents,

Welcome back!!  I hope that you had a safe, happy summer vacation.  We are so excited to be back in school, and we are looking forward to a successful year for your child.  You will see two new faces in our counseling department this year.  We are so pleased to have Mrs. Kim Boyle with us.  Mrs. Boyle has worked previously in Clayton County and at Mount Bethel; she will be working with our fourth and fifth graders at Nicholson.  We also are fortunate to have Mrs. Carrie Barnett with us as a counseling intern from Georgia State. 

We will begin our classroom guidance curriculum next week, and we are looking forward to visiting your child in his or her classroom as we teach lessons to facilitate academic achievement and personal, social, and career development.  We will visit your child's classroom twice each month. 

Small group counseling is available during the school year, I will conduct various small groups that will last six to eight weeks.  The students will be in a small group for thirty-minute sessions, once per week.  No child can participate in small group without the written permission of his or her parents.  Examples of groups that could be offered as the need arises are:

• Study skills
• Coping with divorce or loss
• Friendship
• Anger management
• New student transition

I am also available to meet with you individually to discuss your child's academic and personal/social success at Nicholson.  If you would like your child to participate in a small group or speak with me concerning any issue that relates to your child, please call me at 770-928-5573. 

The counselors at Nicholson have also implemented a reading tutoring program that is supported by our parents.  If you would like to help a child improve his or her reading skills, it would only require a commitment of thirty minutes per week.  If this is something you would enjoy, please call me.  We would love to have you participate, and as we all know, reading is the foundation of learning. 

The Counselor's Corner

Parents,

It is so hard to believe that we are finishing another school year.  I hope that you and your family have a relaxing, fun-filled summer break.  I encourage you to bridge your child's learning from this year to the next.  Some helpful resources are the Nicholson website, your child's teacher's blog, and the School Box has the Bridge book series that can help your child retain the learning that has taken place this year.  

As we end the year, I am giving the steps to respect post assessment.  The website is https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7S637GL.  However, the survey requires parent permission; so only students returning their permission slips will be given the assessment.  As you know, the Steps to Respect program is an anti-bullying curriculum that was taught this year in third grade.  

Again, my wish for you is a healthy, happy summer break, and I look forward to seeing you in August.     

  

The Counselors' Corner

Dear Parents,

It is so difficult to think that we are already approaching spring break, and then CRCT testing will be upon us.  Parents, as you support your children as they prepare for testing, the following tips are helpful:

    Ensure your child gets plenty of rest the night before the tests.

    Have your child eat a healthy, nourishing breakfast.

    Have a positive attitude.

    Convey that you believe your child will succeed.    

    Encourage your child to do his/her best.

    Ensure test mornings are as stress free as possible.

    Get your child to school early.

    Encourage your child to take his or her time; use middle speed.

    Encourage your child to check his or her work when finished.

The regular testing window begins April 14th and will end the 20th. 

During the recent weeks in guidance, I have taught Child Lures which is a personal safety program that empowers children to protect themselves.  Unfortunately, in today's society, it is necessary for our children to be educated to the best of parents and educators' abilities so they know how to remain safe.  After each lesson, a note was sent home explaining exactly what was taught so that you could reinforce the lesson at home.  

I hope that each of you have a relaxing, safe spring break, and your child returns to school well prepared for testing that lies ahead.  Additionally, encourage your child to practice online for the CRCT testing.  The website is www.georgiaoas.org.   

The Counselor's Corner

Dear Parents,

Thank you so much for your generosity to our Food Drive.  We are providing for 22 families in our school community, and we certainly could not do that without you and your compassion for others.  As you all know we will having our VIP lunches on November 18th and 19th.  This is always a wonderful time of family celebration as we feast on the marvelous turkey and dressing lunch that Mr. Duhart and our cafeteria workers prepare.  As you come to enjoy the feast, you will see a Christmas tree in our lobby that is filled with stars.  Each star represents one of our students and a request that he or she has for the holidays.

Please take a star and return it, along with the gift requested, to Nicholson by Friday December 11th.  The gift is to be unwrapped.  Thank you in advance for making our students' holidays brighter.   We know these are difficult economic times for many, so any contribution you are able to make is greatly appreciated.

Parents, next Thursday, November 19th, I will be doing a parent workshop on study skills.  During our time together we will discuss topics such as homework tips, time management, and test taking strategies.  Two workshops will be offered, one at 7:30 in the morning, and one at 6:30 in the evening.  During the evening, your student will be able to come to storytime while you attend the workshop.  Desserts will be served to the parents, so we hope that you all will be able to join us next Thursday.  

I continue to teach our Steps to Respect curriculum which is a bullying prevention program to our third grade students.  Last week in second grade, our students learned the four steps involved in decision making which are (1) what is the decision to be made, (2) brainstorm ideas, (3) look at the consequences of each idea, and then (4) make the best choice.  This week in Kindergarten and first grade I focused on being thankful during the Thanksgiving season.  I stressed that we all have many blessings such as our family, friends, pets, home, etc. for which we can express our thankfulness.    

The Counselor's Corner

Dear Parents,

Last week in classroom guidance I focused on friendship skills in kindergarten and first grade.  I read the book Tattlin' Madeline written by Carol Cummings.  The students and I discussed the difference between tattling and telling or reporting.  I explained that when we tell on our friends just to get them in trouble or for our teachers' attention, we are tattling.  But if someone is hurt or about to be hurt or if our property is taken from us, we should immediately tell an adult, and that is not tattling, but reporting.  

This week in guidance I am teaching another lesson in Steps to Respect about joining a group respectfully.  The students and I discussed the steps, such as (1) stand nearby and listen, (2) ask questions or say something positive about what others are doing, (3) ask to play or join, (4) say something helpful or find a way to help,  and (5) ask again to join or play if you are told no the first time.  The students then role-played how to respectfully follow the steps, and we discussed how we could respond respectfully if we were told that we could not play. 

We are also are celebrating Healthy Choices Week this week.  We are so fortunate to have community members visit our students to teach topics such as nutrition, cyber safety, bus safety, and drug safety.  We are hopeful that our students have an informative, enriching week.   

Parents, it is difficult to believe that the holidays are around the corner.  Due to the economic downturn, we have numerous families who are in need this holiday season.  Our food drive will begin November 2nd and end on the 13th.  A flyer will be coming home next Monday, October 26th that will explain how you can support our Nicholson families.  We know that our families have always supported us in any endeavor, and your generosity and compassion are what enables us to help our school community.