New Student Survival Kits: Welcoming Students and Building Connections with Your School Counselor

Hey there, it's a brand new year, and guess what? I have a whopping 50 new students, just in 2nd and 4th grade! And that's not even counting the little Kindergartners that are also new to our school! I wanted to give them a warm welcome and make sure they remember who I am and what I do. But with so many new faces, I had to get a little creative without breaking the bank. That's when the idea of the New Student Survival Kits came to me.

These kits are the perfect little gifts to hand out when I meet my new students for the first time. I made a list of 9 items to include in each kit, along with a description of why I chose each one. Such as a band-aid to represent the school counselor is there to help when you get hurt or an eraser to represent that the school counselor helps you understand everyone makes mistakes. Then, I popped everything into a zip-lock bag, along with the list. And you won't believe it—I managed to buy all the items and bags for just $14 at the Dollar Tree. Score!

Now, here's the really exciting part. When new students meet their school counselor, it opens up a world of benefits for them. First and foremost, I'm here to provide support. Whether it's academic, social, or emotional, I'm ready to lend a helping hand. By having that initial meeting and receiving the New Student Survival Kit, students are encouraged to connect with me whenever they need guidance or someone to talk to.

Building a relationship with their school counselor also promotes a sense of belonging and community. I want my students to feel supported and connected within our school. By taking the time to meet them and explain my role, students realize that they have an advocate in their corner. They know they can count on me to create a safe and inclusive environment where they can thrive.

So, with the New Student Survival Kits, I hope to make that initial meeting even more special! 

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Presenting the Heroic School Counseling Program: An Epic Faculty Escape Room Quest

Heroic Introduction: Unveiling the Annual School Counseling Program Overview for Faculty and Staff

Every year we provide an overview of our School Counseling Program for the Faculty and Staff. This year, for our Back to School School Counseling Program overview with the teachers, I devised an exciting and engaging Virtual Escape Room experience. Who doesn’t love a puzzling Escape Room? Behind this fun activity, I had three key goals:

1. Reviewing our program with the teachers to ensure their familiarity and understanding,
2. Equipping them with knowledge on where they can ALWAYS find answers to their burning questions about our school-wide programs, and
3. Making it an enjoyable experience that would stand out amidst their preparations for the new students, rather than just another task to complete.

Epic Escape Quest: Infusing Superhero Excitement into the Back to School Program Overview

The teachers embarked on a Virtual Escape Room quest to find answers within the Google School Counseling Team Drive. We carefully curated 10 questions specifically tailored to our school counseling program. These questions covered various aspects of our comprehensive services, ensuring a comprehensive review. Some inquiries delved into our Direct Services, encompassing essential components like classroom guidance, small groups, and special programs such as Red Ribbon Week, Career Week, and monthly student recognition. Responsive Services were also incorporated, with questions exploring areas like individual counseling, teacher consultations, and referrals to outside agencies. Additionally, we shed light on our crucial System Support, providing insights into the extensive staff and school support we offer. As the teachers diligently searched for answers, they not only progressed through the Escape Room but also grew more acquainted with the multitude of valuable initiatives we undertake to support our students and school community. Upon completion, they checked their score, with each correct answer unveiling a letter that would eventually form the key to escape!

To accomplish this, I designed a Google form containing 10 questions related to our program. To set the stage, I crafted an intriguing backstory: "Evil villains have infiltrated your school, exiling all the superheroes to the Principal's office. As a superhero, you possess super speed and super strength, but overcoming the challenging puzzles in the villains' plot will require more. You have 15 minutes to free yourselves by solving 10 riddles and save the day. Can you escape before the tardy bell tolls? After submitting your answers, select 'view your score.' Each correct answer will reveal a letter, contributing to the final secret code needed for your escape. If your answers are not all correct, exit the score report, select 'edit your response,' and resubmit with the correct answers to unlock the remaining letters."

The teachers embraced the challenge enthusiastically, fueling a competitive atmosphere. The first team to successfully complete the Escape Room was rewarded with a bucket full of valuable school supplies. Not only did they enjoy the experience, but they also gained substantial knowledge about our program.

Unleashing the Power of Presenting the School Counseling Program at the Beginning of the Year

Presenting your School Counseling Program at the beginning of the year establishes a foundation of awareness and understanding that lasts throughout the school year. Here is what you have to look forward to:

Collaboration: Presenting your program fosters collaboration between the counseling department and faculty/staff, laying the groundwork for teamwork in supporting students.

Awareness: Sharing your program raises awareness among faculty/staff about the available resources and services, ensuring everyone is informed.

Communication: Presenting your program establishes clear communication channels, facilitating easy guidance, support, and referrals.

Referral Process: Explaining your referral process simplifies student referrals, ensuring timely and appropriate interventions.

Targeted Interventions: Familiarity with your program enables collaboration to identify and address specific student needs effectively.

Holistic Support: Educating faculty/staff about your program encourages integration of counseling principles into student interactions, fostering a supportive environment.

Improved Outcomes: Awareness of your program aligns efforts toward promoting student success and contributes to improved academic, social, and emotional outcomes.

Proactive Prevention: Emphasizing preventive measures and proactive strategies reduces crises, creating a positive school climate.

Professional Development: Presenting your program may lead to future professional development opportunities based on faculty/staff interest.

Supportive Culture: Sharing your program promotes a supportive school culture, emphasizing collective responsibility for student well-being and success.

Given the resounding success of this presentation, I have decided to continue being creative in the way I present my School counseling Program each year!

Ready to Use Resource:

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Check out another Beginning of the Year Presentation Here:

Discover Your Learning Style, Engaging Study Skills with Fun Strategies for Mon "STAR" Student Success!

Teaching Study Skills is Monsterous:

You know, it's funny how many educators say they don't enjoy teaching study skills because they find it boring. But let me tell you, I absolutely love it! There's something incredibly satisfying about seeing students light up with excitement as they discover new strategies to improve their grades.

Now, I totally get it. Study skills may not be the most thrilling topic for students either. But here's the secret: we can make it fun and exciting! And that's exactly what I do in my lessons. I give them a theme and turn it into a game that not only helps them learn about their own learning style but also keeps them engaged and entertained.

Becoming a Mon "STAR" Student:

One of my favorite lessons is called "How to Be a Mon "STAR" Student." It's like going on a thrilling adventure to uncover their unique learning styles. We kick things off with a Learning Styles Inventory, which always grabs their attention. You should see their faces light up when they get to take surveys and compare their results with their friends. It's like a little discovery party right there in the classroom!

But that's not all. Each student gets a personalized tips and tricks sheet based on their learning style. I want them to have something they can take home and share with their parents. Getting parents involved in this process is crucial because it's a team effort. We want to support our students both at school and at home, you know?

Incorporating a Frightfully Fun Game:

Now, here's where the real fun begins—the Monster Mix Up game. Picture this: students divided into groups, armed with Monster Mix Up cards and a Study Tips Answer Key. One student takes on the role of the Fact Checker, while the others excitedly dive into the game. It's all about finding matching study tips for different learning styles.

The game works like this: they flip over two cards—one with a monster top and the other with a monster bottom. And when they find a match where the Study Tip card matches the Learning Style card, they create a hilarious monster. The laughter and excitement that fill the room are absolutely contagious.

The Enchanted Ending: 

You see, by combining fun and learning, we create an environment where students not only grasp study skills but also develop new study techniques. 

So, don't let anyone tell you that teaching study skills has to be dull and uninspiring. With a little creativity and a whole lot of fun, we can turn it into an adventure that our students eagerly embrace. Let's continue to infuse joy and enthusiasm into our lessons, making sure our students not only learn study skills but also love the journey of learning itself. Together, we can light that spark and equip our students with the tools they need to succeed academically and beyond. It's a truly rewarding experience that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world!

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