Working together to help each child reach their STAR potential!
Here’s your month-by-month snapshot for April, May & June, for what’s going on in the VES Counseling Department:
APRIL: Trustworthiness
Pre-K students had a visit from Tommy the Trustworthy Turtle. Tommy taught them about telling the truth, following the rules, and asking permission before touching things that don’t belong to them.
Kindergarten & 1st grade: Froggy and his friend Oliver Octopus dispelled the old notion of “Finders Keepers” & students learned the value of being honest even when it is the difficult thing to do.
2nd grade: Students listened to the story Jamaica’s Find by Juanita Havill and they, too, discovered that returning something they have found is the right thing to do, even though it can be hard.
3rd grade: Students talked about the qualities that are important in healthy friendships. We focused on the quality of trustworthiness & constructed “Trustworthy Friend Kits” that the students were able to keep as reminders about how to be a good friend.
4th & 5th grade: Students played a fun game of Jenga but instead we called it the “Trust Tower.” Students worked in teams to unscramble several words relating to trustworthiness. After discussing the words, students were given the opportunity to share actions that were NOT trustworthy and for each example, students removed a block from the Trust Tower. Eventually the tower fell and we discussed how it was like the trust that others have (or do not have) in us. We also spent time talking about how trust can take a long time to rebuild.
MAY: Responsibility
Pre-K: Roy the Responsible Rabbit taught the students about the value of doing what they are supposed to do, doing their best and trying hard. The pre-K class housed at the West Preston campus also had a tour of Valley elementary this month. Students and family members participated in a “Goldfish Scavenger Hunt,” looking for shiny scales for their fish as they visited various classrooms and met staff at the school.
Kindergarten & 1st: Froggy and his friend Rachael Rabbit taught the students that doing their best is important wherever they are and that it is important at school to do their best all the way through to the end of the school year. Ask your child about “Froggy’s 5 Rules for Doing Your Best.”
2nd & 3rd grade: As the school year winds down, I like to take time to talk to the students about responsible behavior at home since they will soon be spending more time there. Eddie the Eagle visited the students to talk about gun safety. Students watched a short video and learned what to do if they find a gun.
4th & 5th grade: Students learned how to be responsible when handling conflict situations. They defined conflict and how it is different from a bullying situation and they also constructed their own personal conflict cube to give them ideas for handling conflict in a responsible and appropriate manner.
I will also be holding a series of four lessons for all 4th grade girls from the book Bullying in the Girls World. These lessons will happen at the end of May and the beginning of June. I look forward to helping to empower the girls with strategies for effectively handling relational aggression.
JUNE
A few developmental guidance make-up lessons will happen in June. I will also be wrapping up my work with individual and small group students for the year.
IMPORTANT NOTE for 5th grade family members~ STAY TUNED for information that will be sent home soon about the 5th grade transition trip to West Preston Middle. I am working with staff to finalize a JUNE date for this event. Your child will be bringing home a permission slip with all the information.
Have a safe and enjoyable summer break!
