Counselor Connection
Collaboration is essential for school counselors. This mini-blog is for my counselor colleagues to share ideas, lessons and inspiration
In the fall as I was planning out my year of guidance lessons and reviewing data I found out that our 2nd graders had the worst attendance in the entire school during the 2010-2011 school year! 46% of them, as first graders, had missed 10 or more days of school. Missing that much school not only harms our children academically but also socially! Especially at such a young age. I think, oftentimes, we forget how important school for our students as young as 6 and 7. I'm happy to announce that after a few interventions: * 6 Counseling lessons focused on increasing attendance * Teachers tracking attendance on charts in class * A school-wide reward program implemented by our principals That number has dropped from 46% to 27%! That's 41% fewer students missing 10+ days of school so far this year. With only a few weeks to go, I'm excited to see how well these kiddos do at the end of the year! Kudos to the parents of our 2nd graders for taking their child's education seriously!
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National Civil Rights Group Recognizes Sunset Ridge Elementary School for Tolerance EffortsDesignated 'Mix It Up' Model School by the Southern Poverty Law Center MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Southern Poverty Law Center's Teaching Tolerance program has named Sunset Ridge as a Mix It Up Model School for its exemplary efforts to foster respect and understanding among students and throughout campus during the 2011-12 school year. Sunset Ridge is one of 77 schools from across the country receiving the honor. "We are delighted to recognize each of these schools," said Teaching Tolerance Director Maureen Costello. "Mix It Up Model Schools have found innovative ways to create a school environment where respect and inclusiveness are core values. They serve as examples for other schools hoping to instill these values in their students, faculty and staff." The 2012 National Mix It Up at Lunch Day will be held on Oct. 30. A list of the model schools can be found at http://www.tolerance.org/mix-it-up/model-schools. For more than a decade, Mix It Up Day has provided students across the country with an opportunity to move out of their comfort zones and connect with someone new over lunch. It's a simple act with profound implications as studies have shown that interactions across group lines can help reduce prejudice. Many schoolsplan activities for the entire day, and some use the event to kick off a yearlong exploration of social divisions. Last year, 5,500 schools took part in the event. The Mix It Up Model Schools met five criteria: They each hosted a Mix it Up at Lunch Day in 2011; they included different members of the school's community – cafeteria staff, aides, administrators, teachers or students – in organizing the event; they followed up with at least two additional Mix It Up-related programs or events on campus; they publicized Mix It Up at Lunch Day or celebrated inclusiveness with posters, announcements and other media; and their event was seen by students and school officials as a success. We are so excited about this honor. Check out my post about our Mix It Up at Lunch that was held in February right here. |
AuthorProfessional School Counselor since 2004. National Award winner just trying to make an impact on our profession. Archives
October 2014
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