‘Tis the Season for Giving and Gratitude

And for those of us who need a little holiday help with the "Gimmie Goblins" this holiday season...

‘Tis the Season for Giving and Gratitude

A Very Merry Character Tree!

In an effort not to leave anyone out this holiday season, some of the students and staff helped me put together our "Character Tree". We think it turned out great.
Like the commercial says, "It's not what's on the tree, but who's around it."

Happy Holidays!

An Inspirational Message

While talking to our students about the effects of bullying on others, it is very difficult for us to really understand what happens to those victims. Students want to know "why can't they get over it" or "they'll be ok"...

But how do they really feel? This is a great video. Please take the time to watch and talk with your kids...

Getting Ready For The Holidays

As I'm writing this, I feel like I'm still in the warm glow of "turkey coma"...the sensation of eating turkey until feeling like you're going to pop, resulting in not wanting to eat again for a week.
After rolling ourselves away from the table on Thursday afternoon, us ladies began looking through the sale ads, looking to see if there really was anything we wanted to stay up all night and wait in line for - there wasn't. If you are like most people, you are sometimes at a lost as to what to give our children for Christmas that would interest them for more than a few hours.
Common Sense Media has compiled a list gift ideas...take a look and let me know if it was worth posting!

70+ Gift Ideas for Every Kid on Your List

11-11-11

Yesterday, I asked some of our students and teachers why is Friday a special day? Their response: It's 11-11-11! OK - what else? All I got were blank stares...
Yes, the calendar anomaly is cool, but it's Veteran's Day people! A time to reflect and give a heart-felt "Thank You" to all of our military personnel.
My boys and I have been watching the Vietnam in HD documentary on the History Channel for the past few nights and I asked them what they were doing in school to recognize Veteran's Day. Both boys told me that they had an assembly or breakfast where Veterans were invited to be their guests and do some special activities to thank them for their service to our country. Ian said this was one of his favorite days..."you get to do something that's real". Isn't that important? To connect our children to what is going on around them and teaching them how to be thankful and compassionate and what those words really mean?
Tyler mentioned that most of the people who came fought in Vietnam. He was really shocked after seeing some of the footage of how our soldiers were treated when they returned from the war. I count myself lucky to have sons who put the feelings of others in front of their own and are truly appreciative for all our service-men and women do for us...or, at least until Tyler is old enough to register! :-)
Happy Veteran's Day!

MSCA Fall Conference

Greetings from Tan-Tar-A in Osage Beach!
I am lucky enough to be here with some of the best and most creative people in the state of Missouri - Professional School Counselors! Over the past 3 days, I have learned so much and gained a new insight into my role in the school as well as how students, parents and the school should interact in order to provide a wonderful educational, social and emotional background.
I have talked with psychologists, activists, PSC and LPC, as well as someone from the Missouri Attorney General's office - and in the next few weeks, I'll share some of the ideas and thoughts from these people.
I did spend last night listening to Dr. Phillip Vincent (former CEP Lifetime Achievement, or Sandy, Award Recipient). He was amazing. The one line that really stands out to me and that I'm going to start using: "Be the person your dog thinks you are". How much better would this world be if everyone lived by that model?

Until next time - enjoy! (and I'll be back to school soon - can't wait to see our kiddos!)

Some advice on bullying...

As Bullying Awareness Month comes to an end...here is some advice I've pulled from a group called "Standing Up For Victims of Bullies"...

How to handle bullying situations
by Standing Up For Victims of Bullies (Child or Adult) on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 10:12am
How to handle bullying situations - school based

It is so hard to figure out what to do when we are being bullied, or if our children are being bullied. Here are some suggestions of what to do if this is happening.

One thing that I stress over and over is DOCUMENTATION. This is so important to remember. A lot of times, we tend to forget the little things, or we get all frustrated when trying to explain a situation to someone, that we get the details wrong. So, it’s important to document what is happening. Get a journal, and write down EVERYTHING, even if it seems to be a tiny detail. Put it in there. Document who, what, where, time, place, what was said and done, who it was reported to, how it was handled or not handled, and what you plan on doing next. If you have to go so far as to make your voice heard with the school board or the police, then you will have the documentation handy. Also…cell phones are a great thing to have around. You can video tape what is being done and said, and you have pictures to back you up. Gathering the facts is essential.

1. Report to the principal - let him/her know what is going on immediately

2. Report to the Superintendent - if principal doesn’t do anything

3. Report to the school board - if no one is doing anything

4. Take to the police

5. Take to the media (Radio, newspapers, TV reporters) - schools do NOT like to look negative in the public.

6. For kids - stay in a group or walk with someone else whenever this is little to no supervision: Bathrooms, hallways, playgrounds and lunchrooms.

7. For parents - gather the parents together who believe that this needs to stop, and together, go to the school and school board. Make your voices heard! There is power in numbers.

8. Also for parents - become a permanent fixture in the schools. Be a room monitor or helper, have lunch with your child, observe in the classroom or hallways. The more adults that stand around with a watchful eye, the better that the bullying will stop. Ride the bus with your child if you have the time to do so.

Other things that could be helpful…

Develop a task force in school - a group of kids and parents who want to make a difference. Make posters about bullying and sources of information to get help.

Involve the community - create a partnership with the school and community (churches, youth groups, businesses, etc).

Be aware of who your children are hanging out with, and what they are doing. Be proactive and always know what, who, when, where and why they are doing something.

Communicate with your children positively - get them counseling if needed, so they can manage their feelings. Mental health issues and bullying go hand in hand.



DON’T EVER GIVE UP

Where does the time go?

Amazingly enough, we are already facing the end of the 1st quarter. How have things been so far? I honestly have to say...not too bad.
Don't get me wrong, there are challenges and days where I am asking myself why I didn't move my family to some remote island and live like natives...but those are very rare.
I'm hoping that all our students had a fanatasic first quarter; and those who were a little less than pleased will be able to learn from the past in order to put their best foot forward!
Remember, communication is essential! Do not hesitate to call or come by!

Storybird

Sam The Slacker by esteinkamp on Storybird This is my latest creation for a new classroom lesson on being a successful student...I hope the kiddos like it!  And Storybird is phenomenal! Everyone should try it at least once. Here is one more that a student published...I can't wait to share this one too.

Seven Ways to Survive School by GraceHunter on Storybird

Here We Go!

Welcome to my new project!

I've decided to take the plunge...and become a "blogger"! This will be my first year as a middle school counselor, and I know I have a lot to learn - so what better way to keep track of all the things going on than with my own online "diary"!

Thanks for joining me on this journey. I can promise to make it an interesting one!