Hiawatha

School Counseling

A Message from Mrs. Rex...…….………1

Counseling Services Available………..…….1

Important Dates….....2

Web Resource of the Month.......................2

Great Books: Self-Esteem….……........3

Helpful Hints............3

Free Workshops….....4

Classroom Guidance………….......4

09-10 Report……….....4

DEC 2010 Hiawatha Elementary School Page 1

A Message from

Mrs. Rex

Individual Counseling

• Teacher/Parent Referred or Self-Referred

Group Counseling • Often meet during lunch (usually into silent reading time)

Classroom-Based Counseling • Customizable. Usually 3 lessons over 3 weeks (30 min. each)

Want a Group or Classroom Lesson? Check out these topics and let me know what best suits your needs:

Bullying Self-Esteem Making and Keeping Friends Following Directions

Divorce Stress Positive School Behaviors Other: _____________

DEC 2010 Washington Local Schools Vol. 2 - Issue 4

For the last few months, I have been thinking about the different things I could do to better serve our students and our staff. I wanted to give you the opportunity to give me feedback on what I am doing—what you like, what should change, etc. If you have ideas for how the school counseling services at Hiawatha could improve, please let me know. I am open for constructive criticism, especially since I am just starting out and need a bit more direction. Thank you for being a fabulous staff. Enjoy this month’s newsletter!

Have a great December!

Marissa Rex

Counseling Services Available

http://www.washloc.k12.oh.us/schools/hiawatha_counseling_center.htm

Hiawatha School Counseling

DEC 2010 Hiawatha Elementary School Page 2

Important Dates to Remember All: Read a New Book Month 10th: Human Rights Day

16th: National Chocolate Covered Anything Day

21st: Look on the Bright Side Day

26th: National Whiners Day

Web Resource of the Month

Through Scholastic, your class can compete in a K-8 “Kids Are

Authors” contest. Under your guidance, your students work in

teams of three or more to write and illustrate their own book. Two

Grand Prize winning books will be published in a fiction and

nonfiction category and sold in book fairs throughout the country.

Visit www.scholastic.com/bookfairs/contest/kaa_about.asp to

learn more about the suggested writing process.

The 2010 fiction winner:

Vincent Von Gogh’s Cat Written and illustrated by second grade students from East Washington Academy, Muncie, IN

The 2010 nonfiction winner:

Houdini Was… Written and illustrated by second grade students from *I have a copy in White Bluffs Elementary, Richland, WA my office

Entries must be postmarked by March 15, 2011. The entry form can be found at:

www.scholastic.com/bookfairs/contest/kaa_about.asp

Hiawatha School Counseling

Totally and completely stressed? Me too!

Here is one helpful, “cold water” strategy to help cool you off on those

unbearably stressful days. You can even try this with your students!

Title: “Snail Gymnastics” The students stand at their desk and breathe slowly

from their bellies. Students follow the teacher’s

movements, moving VERY slowly, stretching their

arms and legs as they move. You can move your arms up and make circles,

bend, touch your toes…whatever you feel like stretching. You will notice

how funny your arms feel after doing this—it’s almost like JELLO.

Very relaxing ☺

Learn about more techniques: 101 Relaxation Games for Children: Finding a Little Peace and

Quiet in Between by Allison Bartl *available in my office*

*Available in my office*

Helpful Hints

Great Books (December Topic: Self-Esteem)

Arthur’s Eyes (M. Brown)*

Savvy (I. Law)*

The Mixed-Up Chameleon (E. Carle)*

Holes (L. Sachar)*

Pigs Can’t Fly (B. Cort)*

Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White)

Loretta Ace Pinky Scout (K. Graves)*

Corduroy (D. Freeman)*

The Tale of Despereaux (K. DiCamillo)

Duck on a Bike (D. Shannon)*

*These books and more are available in my office.

Highlighted books are more advanced.

DEC 2010 Hiawatha Elementary School Page 3

Hiawatha School Counseling

DEC 2010 Hiawatha Elementary School Page 4

Free Workshops

Classroom Guidance

On December 2nd

, Hiawatha sponsored two free workshops on bullying prevention—one for

Washington Local staff and one for Washington Local parents. Jim Bisenius, our presenter, has

been a therapist for 16 years, specializing in working with highly targeted students.

Thank you for supporting this grant-funded program! If you were unable to attend and would

like the information, please contact me. I can copy my notes.

During January’s staff meeting, we will continue our professional development in the area of

bullying and hopefully, we will have many new and exciting ideas to discuss.

Want more bullying resources? Check out my stash! I have tons of books,

games, activities, and more!

You now have your own Counseling Café!

Included with this newsletter is a menu of Hiawatha’s school counseling services.

You can order an appetizer, main course, and/or dessert. It is up to you.

As stated in your menu, I am more than willing, as your “chef”, to provide custom

orders and substitutions. Bon appetite!

For a complete look at Hiawatha’s 2009-2010 school counseling

services, go to the Hiawatha shared drive, click on MRex, click on

Reports, then open “2009-2010 School Counseling Report.”

School Counseling Report 2009-2010