All About Your School Counselor
What is your school counselor's name
Ms Erin
or
Ms Johnson
True or False: You can come to the school counselor office to escape boring lessons in class.
False. Please stay in class as much as possible so you don't miss important learning time.
True or False: I must be in trouble if I have to see the school counselor?
False. Typically you will talk with the principal or another support staff.
What are 3 different (self-care) things you can do when you are feeling sad?
1) Talk to the school counselor or another trusted adult about your feelings
2) Spend time with friends
3) Do something that you enjoy
4) Journal-write, listen to favorite (calming) music, take a walk in fresh air, deep breathing, meditate, draw or color.
True or False. Ms Erin will present a lesson to your class every week.
False. I hope to coordinate monthly lessons with your teacher on different SEL (social-emotional learning) topics.
True or False: Teachers and parents may request that the counselor invite a student in for an individual meeting.
True
Name 3 activities or things you can do in Ms Erin's office if you don't feel like talking (talking is always an option if you choose).
It's ok if you don't feel like talking!
1) coloring
2) drawing
3) play a game with Ms Erin
4) talking/problem solving
Is it okay to get angry?
Explain
Yes. Everyone gets angry. It is what you do with your anger that is important.
What is our principal's full name?
JB
What days of the week is Ms Erin at my school?
✔️ Monday, Wednesday & every other Friday morning
Tuesday, Thursday and every other Friday morning
True or False: Ms Erin is allowed to tell your teachers and friends what you talk about in her office.
Explain
False. I will only share what you give permission to share, unless someone is in danger.
What is confidentiality?
Keeping information private unless someone is hurting you or someone else.
You may talk with Ms Erin about anything!
Name 3 different and specific things you do to be a good friend?
1-Use kind language
2- Be a good listener
3- Include/invite others to play
4- Have confidentiality
5- Be encouraging & positive
6- Avoid gossip
True or False: Students only see the school counselor when they are in trouble or have problems.
Explain
Ms Erin is here:
celebrate awesome things you're doing
helps students problem solve
talk about emotions
work out conflict with friends or family
prepare for next steps (5th graders)
Ms Erin meets with students individually, in small groups (3-4 students), for class lessons. Sometimes a teacher or parent request that I talk with a student.
Name 3 different reasons a student might come to talk to Ms Erin.
1) conflict at home
2) conflict at school or with friends (peers)
2) big emotions: feeling sad, lonely or angry
3) the loss of someone or something special to you
4) self-esteem, body image, puberty
5) processing big vs little problems
What does SEL stand for?
and
Why is this important?
Social Emotional Learning
Why is it important to attend school everyday?
Name 3 differnt reasons...
1) build academic skills
2) build social skills (friendships)-working well with people who are different from us
3) involvement in other school activities
4) good attendance will help lead me to graduating from high school in the future.
Students fall behind and miss important learning when they are not at school.
________________
* find things quickly
* avoid wasting time
* be ready to learn
* have papers ready to return to your teacher when necessary
True or False: School counselors only help students with mental health topics at school.
Explain
False....conflict at home, with friends, to celebrate the good stuff too!
Some school counselors have also been teachers and can help with other academic areas.
Counselors are here to talk about all kinds of things that may be on your mind. You are welcome to ask me anything that you're needing help with.
What are 3 important group norms to follow when Ms Erin presents a lesson in your class?
1. Respect the speaker/avoid interrupting
2. Be kind & respectful...all voices are important
3. Confidentiality/No gossip
“What’s said here, stays here”
4. Give others a turn to speak.
What does "THINK" stand for when we are talking about or posting to or about other people?
Is it......
T
H
I
N
K
Hint: some of you have seen this in Ms Erin's office.
T- Is it True?
H- Is it Helpful?
I - Is it Inspiring?
N - Is it Necessary?
K - Is it Kind?
What are 3 important parts of (our) wellness?
Hint: all three end in .....al. When you're an adult, occupational wellness is one part of your overall wellness.
**Occupational Wellness is NOT one of the answers.
Physical, emotional/mental, social (spiritual)