Counselors' Connection

Welcome to the Counselor's Connection!

Welcome to the Counselors' Connection BLOG! We are excited to have yet another avenue in which to communicate with parents, students and the community.

The goal of the guidance and school counseling program at Murdock is based on our school's mission statement, "to create lifelong learners by establishing a balanced foundation based on character, creativity, and achievement".  Counselors will implement the program using a developmental approach (K-5) within three major categories:  classroom guidance, individual counseling, and small group counseling.

Classroom guidance topics are based on state and local guidelines that encourage a model for life-long learning with an emphasis on decision making and communication skills.  Topics include:  personal safety, health and personal development, test taking/study skills, career awareness, friendship/conflict resolution, and character education.

Small group and individual counseling is offered to students in the areas of:  anger management, divorce and separation, grief and loss, social skill building.  Teachers, administrators, parents, and students can make referrals for small groups and/or individual counseling.  Written parental permission will be obtained before students participate in small group counseling.  In addition, we offer activities for newcomers and provide leadership opportunities.

May Guidance and Enjoy Your Summer

Hi Parents,

The counselors were very busy with supporting the CRCT testing process and doing make-up tests with students in early May. We had a wonderful Career Day on May 5 with approximately 20 parents participating in the sessions for all students at Murdock. It was an amazing day of learning and asking questions about career specifics.  In grades K-2, I used the smart boards for the lesson on What is the Safest Thing to Do? You may have seen a butterfly paper come home with choices colored and circled to show the best choice for each scenario. I like to prepare students for many instances that might happen as they travel and visit with family and friends. In 2nd grade we also learned what it feels like to be excluded when one person is different or tries to be creative. Ask your child about Carla's Sandwich and how children learned not to exclude a classmate. The kindergarten children learned how to help others and to be friendly to younger and older people. Your child may tell you about the storm and cleanup in Amelia Ellicott's Garden.  The kindergarten performance was a delight. It's always great to see how each student learns and grows physically, emotionally and thrives in the learning environment at Murdock. Have a wonderful, relaxing and special time this summer with your families. I'll see you all in August!

Cathy Fogel,Counselor for Grades Kindergarten, 1 and 2

CRCT Reminders for Parents and Students

CRCT – Please mark your calendars for the dates of the Georgia CRCT state testing schedule. CRCT testing for first and second graders starts Wednesday, April 23 and ends Friday April 25. Testing for third, fourth, and fifth graders starts Wednesday, April 23 and goes through the following Tuesday, April 29^. Please do not schedule any appointments for your child during these dates. Attendance and punctuality are extremely important. Children who are tardy will not be able to enter their classroom during the testing period and must make up the testing at a later date. Research shows children do better on tests when they take them in their classroom with their classmates. Georgia law requires all 3rd grade students to pass the reading section of the CRCT in order to be promoted to 4^th grade. In addition, all 5th grade students must pass the reading and math sections of the CRCT in order to be promoted to 6^th grade. Passing scores are defined by the state.

Primary Classroom Guidance for March & April

Dear Parents,

For the last couple of months we have been very busy learning many new concepts in classroom guidance. Today a kindergarten child stopped me in the hallway and pointed to me and said "Think Before You Act" with a big smile on his face. This was the most recent lesson I did in Kindergarten and grade 1. The students enjoyed making their frogs on lily pads. In grade two we just finished an activity that had students finding the "letter f" in two paragraphs which everyone thought was way two easy. But the students realized that it's better to go slow and be careful than it is to rush through an activity. Just look over the titles of  of the lessons I've taught recently to see if your child can remember the main concept. Some recent lessons were: Duck & Goose, Franklin goes to the Hospital, What Will I be When I Grow Up?, Be a Reporter not a Tattle Tale,Use Your Words, Jake the Snake Learns not to Tease, But Names Will Never Hurt Me, and Career Bingo! My post for February did not publish so it's been awhile since you have heard from me! Have a wonderful, relaxing and safe Spring Break! You can always reach me by phone at 770-971-7441 or email.

Cathy Fogel, Primary Counselor

                                                                                     

March and April Intermediate Guidance

Throughout March and through April students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade have been preparing for the CRCT.  Due to this preparation I have been doing lessons on testing strategies and how to tame the stress monster.  In 4th and 5th grade the students took a test to determine the level of text anxiety they might have.  After obtaining the results, students were then taught different strategies to help reduce these levels.  The following are ways to tame the stress monster:

ü      Eat a nutritious breakfast.

ü      Be on time for school.  Be early if possible.

ü      Be prepared with the supplies you need for the test.

ü      Look at the teacher and listen to directions.

ü      Don’t work too quickly or too slowly.  Pace yourself at a medium speed.

ü      If you get nervous, close your eyes for a few seconds and take a few deep breaths.

ü      If you don’t know an answer on a multiple choice item:

·         Re-read the question and all the answers.

·         Skip it and come back to it.

·         Eliminate the absolute wrongs.

·         Give it your best shot.

In 3rd grade we read the story "Tyler Tames the Testing Tiger," and by reading the story students were taught different strategies to help them to not be stressed on the CRCT.  Many of the strategies taught were the same ones, which were taught to the 4th and 5th graders.  After the lessons I think the students are ready to do extremely well on their tests.

Good luck,

Ms. Struletz

Steps to problem solving

Dear 5th grade parents,

During the month of February the 5th graders learned about ways to solve problems using a problem solving model.  The following are the steps to problem solving, which they were taught:

1) Define the problem

2) Brainstorm Possible solutions

3) Evaluate the ideas

4) Decide on a solution and carry it out

By using this model students will be able to solve their own problems on a daily basis.  This technique will be valuable to them now and throughout life.

Take care,

Jessica Struletz

3rd- 5th grade School Counselor

Empathy

Dear Parents,

During February the 3rd and 4th graders discussed the topic of "empathy." We discussed what it was, and how important it is to be empathetic to people.  Also, during the same lesson I read them a book called My Secret Bully by Trudy Ludwig.  This story is about a girl named Monica who is the target of emotional bullying from one of her friends.  This friend uses name-calling and manipulation to humiliate and exclude her.  But with a little help from her mom Monica learns how to cope with the situation and face her fears and reclain the power from her bully.  Many students were able to relate to this situation.  I really feel that this lesson was very powerful and hit home to a lot of student.

Sincerely,

Jessica Struletz

3rd- 5th School Counselor

Home and School Connection for February and March 2008

Please click on the link to see the new Home and School Connection for February and March 2008.

February 2008

Download feb_2008.pdf

March 2008

Download march_2008.pdf

Hightower Trail Shadow Day

On March 25th one 5th grader from each 5th grade homeroom will go to Hightower Trail Middle School for the day.  They will get the opportunity to shadow another middle schooler for the day.  It should be a great experience to "walk in the shoes of a middle schooler".  Each student will be given a "shadow booklet".  This booklet will give the elementary student the opportunity to find out and record more information about middle school.  This booklet is also a way for the 5th grade student to share their experience with their classmates upon returning to Murdock! 

Intermediate Guidance for January

Dear parents,

       A very important topic is the focus of January and will continue to be an important focus throughout the year, which is bullying. All 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th graders are being taught about bullying.  The school wide definition of bullying (Olweus 1994) is a student is being bullied or victimized when he or she is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other students.  A single instance of more serious harassment can be regarded as bullying under certain circumstances.  Through these lessons I am hoping to make more students aware of what bullying is and how to help other students who are being bullied.   Also, strategies to help them if they are faced with a bullying situation. I told them that Murdock is trying to help them to become a “hero.”  In each class I discussed with them examples of bullying.  Then we did an activity where we looked at different scenarios and decided whether or not it was bullying or teasing.  This lesson made an impact on many of the students.

      The next lesson will be a review about what is considered bullying and then how to help if they are a bystander.  I will teach them valuable strategies to help them feel empowered.  Through this school wide awareness I am hoping that all students will make the right decision and help students who are being bullied and stop bullying if the student is bullying other students. 

Thank you for your continued support,

Jessica Struletz

Intermediate Guidance for December

During the month of  December 4^th and 5^th graders learned about rumors and the affect rumors can have.  We spoke about what to do if they hear a rumor.  They also learned that it is very important to let an adult know if a rumor is being spread about them or anyone else.

In 3^rd grade the topic was teasing.  Students were taught 5 ways to be a free fish through the use the book Simon’s Hook.  The strategies taught were: do little or nothing, make a joke or laugh, change the subject, walk away, or agree.