Hello all! How is it already February?? In the midst of preparing small groups, prepping for 8th grade transition, and starting the year off on the right foot, somehow January has flown by! The weather has been so mild here in Missouri, and we have taken advantage of the beautiful weather in school and outside. Who else doesn't enjoy 60-egree weather in the middle of January?? Since February is quickly approaching, it is time for me to start planning one of my favorite weeks: National School Counseling Week! This year ASCA has chosen Helping Students Realize Their Potential as 2017's theme. This theme is great, and our school district is taking it a step further and adding our own twist onto it. This idea comes from the 2016 Missouri School Counselor Association's theme. Check it out below: The 80's may be the decad I was born, but I am almost positive it is the decade I was meant to live my youth in. So I am very pumped to be implementing this theme this year! So what do I do with this week? This week is all about advocating for my school counseling program; I make my students feel valued, bring awareness to important character traits, and thank all the people that make it possible to implement my program. Below is a list of key factors I feel can help implement a successful school counseling week: 1. Daily Announcements Having a daily short announcement that gives a quick, positive message for the day is important. I usually have a short paragraph or quote that can be read during our school's morning announcements. You can do this through an email, newsletter, or video. Feel free to get creative with it! Looking for ideas or inspiration? Check out ASCA's sample morning announcements. 2. Individualized Student Tags Students are the sole reason why we do what we do, so my goal is always to somehow make sure that I make every student feel special in some way. One way that I have thought of to do this is to make a mini-sign for each student that is related to the year's theme. For example, a few years ago when they theme was building blocks, I make Legos out of paper and put each students name on them. I hung them up in the cafeteria next to the school counseling week sign I made. Here is an example from last year: I would tell teachers that if students came to find their name, they could bring it to me and they would get a prize (pencil, piece of candy, etc). This way I get to touch base with each of my students for the week and see them. 3. Teacher Thank-you Gifts Without teachers, I would be nothing as a school counselor. It is only fitting that I make sure they know how special they are! Pinterest has TONS of ideas for this; go ahead, go crazy and show those teachers some love! 4. Prizes There is nothing students and teachers like more than an opportunity to win something! Make a drawing happen, or have a teacher win an extra school counseling lesson time for the week. What better way to get to see your students more, and let teachers know you appreciate them. You can also have a contest among students. One year I had students guess how many legos there were in a jar, and the student that was the closest won a prize. Any way you can promote your program is a win-win situation for you! 5. Have Fun! Last, but definitely not least, have some fun with the week! Sometimes the daily grind of being a counselor can get to you, but at the end of the day there is at least one reason why we do what we do. Whatever that reason is for you, I challenge you to find it during school counseling week and embrace it. Our jobs are unique; I truly feel there isn't another job that I could do that would help as many students or let me use my strengths to help my community. A career of service can be exhausting, but there is no other that is more rewarding. In closing, please remember that you are a great counselor, and no matter what, YOU are making a difference!! How are you planning on celebrating National School Counseling Week 2017?? Stay tuned for FREE downloads and ideas! Please comment below! Have a great week! Jessica
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