School Counseling Week!

The first week of February is School Counseling Week!  It's not school counselor's week, so although you might get some appreciation ~ IF YOU ARE  REALLY LUCKY ~ typically it is a week for you to advocate for your program.  Here are some ideas!

Teacher Gifts/Thank Yous:  There is a lot of debate on this topic, but I think giving is fun!  It never hurts to thank people, build bridges, and celebrate counseling!

Lifesavers!

Popcorn!

Rolos!

Sharpies!

Animal Crackers!

Student Workshops:  We partnered with our local junior college to offer workshops on ApplyTexas and College 101.  All sophomores completed their Apply Texas application for dual credit.  We also presented a local scholarship workshop for seniors.  Finally, we presented to all AP students regarding upcoming AP testing.

Mrs. Husen Rocking the Local Scholarship Workshop!

Parent Workshop:  We offered a parent workshop for the FAFSA.  All parents left with a completed FAFSA!  This was in addition to our fall FAFSA workshops and what I called the "It's not too late! FAFSA workshop."

Everyone left with a completed FAFSA!

College Visits:  We had multiple colleges visit classes during school counseling week.  The Art Institute of Dallas visited Career and Technology Classes, Weatherford Junior College visited all senior English classes, and Texas Tech visited with interested students.  

Art Institute of Dallas

Texas Tech University

School counseling week was extremely fun!  Can't wait for next year!  

Character Education is our Guidance Curriculum!

A fellow counselor and I were asked to present on the topic of "Character Education."  Our audience was the counseling staff and upper administration.  I used this opportunity to review the four components of the Model Comprehensive, DevelopmentalGuidance and Counseling Program for Texas Public Schools.  This is the presentation I put together along with our district counselors.  My goal was to review the four components and the amount of time we should IDEALLY spend on each component.

Guidance curriculum from Molly Morris - Yes the format got a little messed up on the upload!


SLIDES 1-10:  We reviewed the 4 components and discussed the recommended percentages for each component at each level.  An important note regarding the pie chart ~ we can't make a bigger pie (unless we work late and weekends ~ which we do!)  If one piece of the pie grows, one must shrink.  Typically, responsive behavior cannot shrink ("Have a breakdown sometime else!" ~ doesn't go over well.)  If individual planning shrinks, someone might not graduate.  The individual time we spend with students is so important!  And system support doesn't seem to ever shrink with the demands on counselors increasing.  So, unfortunately, the guidance curriculum often is the piece of the pie that shrinks.  This is why this topic is SO IMPORTANT TO DISCUSS!  Guidance cannot give!  The difference it makes impacts graduation, discipline, climate, AND SO MUCH MORE!

SLIDES 11-18:  We reviewed each of the objectives in the guidance curriculum component, and how we are addressing these objectives through our curriculum.  This exposed weaknesses in areas we need to address, as well as areas in which we are excelling.

This presentation went over well.  It is always good to review what we are supposed to be doing vs. what we are doing.  Our role in the school is so misunderstood and it is up to us to advocate for counselors!