Counselor's Corner

CRCT Information for parents

Download CRCT Info for Parents 2011

Dear Parents, please click on above link to our CRCT powerpoint, which includes information and tips for the upcoming CRCT.  Testing will begin Tuesday April 12th, for 3rd, 4th and 5th.

New Counseling Small Groups for Spring

Parents please let your school counselor know if you would like your child to participate in one of the following counseling small groups this Spring: 

• Changing Families (divorce/separation)
• Self confidence
• Conflict Resolution
• Peer Relations / Social skills

Please contact Mrs. Chupp or Mrs. Carty by March 11th if you would like your student to participate in one of these groups.  Counselors' line 770-222-3778

 

 

October School Counseling News

Small Group Counseling

 

Your school counselors, Mrs. Carty and Mrs. Chupp, will be starting small group counseling in early October.  The following are some of the small group topics that will be offered:  Self-Confidence, Grief /Loss, Anger Management, Peer Relations (social skills), and Changing Families (separation or divorce). Small groups meet once a week for 30 minutes during the school day.  The counselors do their best to not schedule during the major academic times.  Please call or send a note to your child’s counselor if you would like him/her to participate in one of the groups.  A student can refer him/herself for a group or be referred by the teacher, counselor, or parent.  If a student is referred for a small group then the counselor will send a letter and permission form home for the parent to sign and/or let the counselor know if they want the student to participate.  Please contact your school counselor as soon as possible if you would like your child to participate in a small group.

 Counselor for Kindergarten, 3^rd, and 5^th grade: Mrs. Chupp

Counselor for 1^st, 2^nd, and 4^th grade: Mrs. Carty

 Counselors’ Line 770-222-3778

 option 1 – Amy Chupp;  option 2 –Tina Carty

 Terrific Kids

 This month we are recognizing students nominated by their teachers who demonstrate the character trait of responsibility.

 

September School Counseling News

The counselors are very excited for the new school year and have already started working hard with the students at Varner.  Right now, Mrs. Chupp and Mrs. Carty are going into all of the classrooms teaching counselor  introductory guidance lessons.   Students are learning all about the counselors and how they can use their services!

The counselors are also here to support the parents.   We would like to let you know about two free (including childcare!) parenting workshops going on right now at Burnt Hickory Baptist Church.   The Guiding Good Choices parenting program is a 5 week class for parents and caregivers of elementary and middle school children and The Incredible Years Parenting Program is an 8 week class for parents and caregivers of children ages 3-6 years old. Both have started but it is not too late to join!

This year thanks to the Kiwanis Program we are going to be highlighting “Terrific Kids!”  Each month students will be identified based on a particular outstanding character trait.   For September we are looking for students who demonstrate integrity.   We are very excited about this new program and cannot wait to honor our amazing students! Be on the lookout for October’s students who demonstrate responsibility!  

Welcome Back to School

Welcome back!

Mrs. Chupp and Mrs. Carty are excited to begin a new school year.  This year Mrs. Chupp will be working with Kindergarten, 3rd, and 5th grade students.  Mrs. Carty will be working with 1st, 2nd, and 4th grade students.  The counselors have visited the classrooms to introduce themselves and welcome the students back.

New student groups have begun meeting with the counselors to help new students adjust and orient to Varner.  These groups have two meetings in the first two weeks of school.

Classroom guidance lessons, which teach many skills in the areas of academics, career, and personal/social, will begin the last week in August.

Test-taking Tips & Strategies

    The CRCT will be administered April 14-16th for first through third grades.  Fourth and fifth grades will take the CRCT from April 14th through April 20th.  Your student(s) are receiving classroom guidance lessons this month on test taking strategies and ways to reduce test-related stress & anxiety.  Here are some additional tips and strategies that parents can reinforce at home:

• Get plenty of rest each night.
• Eat a good breakfast.
• Have a positive attitude.
• Relax . . . don't worry.
• Try hard . . . do your best.
• Listen carefully and follow directions.
• Think before you answer.
• Read directions and questions carefully.
• Don't rush . . . work at middle speed.
• Check over your work when finished.
• Don't expect to know every answer.
• Pay close attention to the sample questions an if you do not understand, raise your hand.
• Read the entire question and all of the answer choices before marking your answer.
• Eliminate choices that you know could not be the right answer and make your best guess.
• Be sure you are in the right place on your answer sheet.
• Mark only 1 answer per question.

Small group counseling

Small Group Counseling

Dear Parents,

We are beginning another round of small group counseling in February.  Please let your school counselor know if you think your child would benefit from one of the following groups:

• Changing Families (divorce/separation)
• Self-confidence
• Friendship (social skills)
• Anger Management

You can reach your child's school counselor directly by calling 770-222-3778.

(Mrs. Chupp is option 1 and Mrs. McLane and Mrs. Carty are option 2)

 

Cyber Safety Parent Breakfast Seminar

Varner Elementary presents...

Cyber Safety Parent Breakfast Seminar

Patti Agatston, Ph.D.

February 5, 2010

8:30-9:30 A.M.

What are the three behaviors that put your child at most risk for online victimization?  If you don't know, you need to attend this presentation.

This workshop will identify the real risks that young people face from various digital technologies, based on research rather than the media, and empower parents with tools needed to "parent in the digital world."  The workshop will include the following topics:

• The digital divide between youth and adults
• Teens and Technology
• Behaviors that put youth at risk online
• Protecting your online reputation
• Cyber Bullying - What's the big deal?

Dr. Agatston is a Prevention/Intervention Specialist with the Cobb County School District's Prevention/Intervention Center, and co-author of the book, Cyber Bullying: Bullying in the Digital Age with Robin Kowalski, Ph.D. and Susan Limber, Ph.D.

Dr. Agatston has been quoted in The Washington Post, Time Magazine and CNET news and has appeared on local and national radio and television to discuss cyber bullying.  She was a participant in the CDC's Expert Panel on Electronic Media and Youth Violence and has presented nationally and internationally on cyber bullying.

Please R.S.V.P. to let us know you are coming!  You can email Sandra Smith at sandra.smith@cobbk12.org.

January-February Classroom Guidance Lesson Topic

Child Lures Classroom Guidance Lessons

 

Beginning January to mid-February Mrs. Carty, Mrs. Chupp, and Mrs. McLane will be presenting a Safety Awareness Program called “Child Lures” during classroom guidance to all students.  This program is a part of the comprehensive health education curriculum approved by the Cobb County Board of Education and endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics.   These lessons teach the Georgia Performance Standard in the area of Social/Personal Skills:  "Safety and Survival Skills" - The learner will be able to understand safety and survival skills.

 

Through this program, students will learn strategies to protect themselves from various types of dangerous situations.  At the same time, this program will promote their confidence and self-awareness.

 

We wanted to inform you that these lessons are occurring and encourage you to discuss the following information with your child:

 

SAFEGUARDING YOUR CHILDREN:

·         Teach children age 3 and older their phone number, home address, and how to dial 911, or an appropriate emergency number.

 

·         Instruct children to never open the door to anyone and to keep doors locked at all times when they are home alone.

 

·         Tell children to never give out personal information over the phone or Internet, or volunteer family members’ schedules or whereabouts to unknown callers.

 

·         Tell children to be cautious with, but not fearful of strangers.  Instruct them to never approach the car of someone asking for directions or agree to help an adult search for something.  If they sense trouble from a stranger, instruct them to ignore that person or run away to the nearest public place to ask for help.

 

(These tips are provided by the National PTA.)

 

MORE TIPS…

·         Avoid scare tactics.  Explain that most adults would never do anything to hurt a child. 

Those who prey on children are the exception.  Develop strong communication skills. 

·         Let your children know they can tell you anything—and you will believe them. 

Stress that there should be no secrets from you, especially those involving another adult.

·         Make a strong effort to know your children’s friends and their families.

·         Encourage involvement in and chaperone extracurricular activities.  Children with many

interests are less likely to experiment with drugs.

·         Instruct children to never go with or get in a car with anyone, unless you have granted direct permission.

·         Encourage children to assess situations critically and to recognize and follow their instincts.  Listen to your own instincts.  If a situation or a person makes you or your child uncomfortable, then act on those instincts.

 

(These tips are provided by the Child Lures Family Guide written by co-authors Rosemary Wooden Webb and Jennifer Wooden.)

October Classroom Guidance Lessons

The first part of October we will be focusing on decision-making in our classroom guidance lessons. 

We make many decisions every day in our lives.  Some decision are easy to make, such as what clothes to put on in the morning or what to eat.  Other decisions are harder, such as whether or not to cheat or whether or not to tell the truth.  Your child will be learning about and practicing how to make good choices by having them stop and think about their choices before they make their decision.

You can help your child improve his/her decision-making skills.  Instead of telling your child what to do, you may want to begin giving your child options to choose from.  For example, you may tell your child that they can choose between ordering pizza for dinner tonight or spending money to go to the movies tomorrow.  Encourage your child to stop and think about their choices before deciding.  The more a child practices making decisions, the more likely that the decision-making procedure will become ingrained into their behavior.  When the time comes to make a serious decision, your child will automatically use the model and hopefully make the appropriate choices.

(Resource:  Botvin Life Skills Training)