Red Ribbon Week!

Red Ribbon Week is one of my favorite weeks of the year!  Usually I google "Red Ribbon themes" and pick one already created.  This year, however, I decided to branch out and make up my own theme.  Capitalizing on the "Frozen" frenzy I chose them theme "Be Magical, Be Drug Free".  Our teachers participated in a door decorating contest with the prize being two days of duty free lunch, we had theme days (a picture of hero day is below), and a pep rally at the end of the week.  Local law enforcement, firefighters, and EMT workers were invited to have lunch with us on Hero Day.  The teachers and kids had a great time celebrating a drug free lifestyle and it really made the counseling program POP!

Welcoming New Students

This post is a little late, but I wanted to go ahead and post this, because this is one of my favorite events I do all year.  At the beginning of each year I have a new student breakfast.  I divide them into two groups, K-5 and Middle School, to come and have breakfast with me and some students.  During this breakfast they have the chance to ask questions about the school, the community, and the teachers.  They also get to have some small group time with our principal.  I do a brief presentation on Mabel's bullying prevention program.  Below is a picture of me showing them the anonymous online reporting tool.  100% of the students who attended the New Student Breakfast reported that it made them feel welcome and more comfortable.  Being the "welcome committee" to our new students a favorite way to make my counseling program POP!

Make your newsletters POP!!!

A BIG thank you to school counselor, Tim Hardin, for sharing this amazing new tool - www.smore.com.  This is a great way to make you newsletters POP and gather data at the same time.  You can put events in your online newsletter that will allow readers to RSVP through the newsletter!  You can also add pictures, links, and so much more!  I have the link to my newsletter below so you can see how awesome this tool is!!  This is just one of many new technologies that can make your School Counseling Program POP!

October School Counselor Newsletter

Hospitality Counts!

Check out my parent bags!  Every time a parent comes to volunteer or see me about an issue they get to leave with these cute bags.  I thought that it would be nice to say thank you for caring about your child with a fun treat.  I have posted pictures of the goodies, the label, and the finished product.  So far the response has been fabulous!!  The total for 12 bags was @$24.  I got the pack of bags in my school color of blue, the ribbon, water, and candy from Wal Mart. I made the tags myself using construction paper and my printer.  I AM NOT A CRAFTY PERSON!  If you don't have an art bone in your body this craft is for you!!!  It's the details and the little touches like this that make your counseling program POP!

Coffee with the Counselor

This idea is not new or original to me.  I'm sure there are MANY school counselor's who do this same thing.  But if you are not one of them make it a priority to start this concept THIS year!  It is so nice to be able to have parents come in, get a cup of coffee, and a pastry and visit.  Often when parents come to see the School Counselor they are in crisis or have worries about their children.  It is great to have an opportunity to connect with your parents on a different level.  Each month I choose a theme that will be the launch pad for our conversation.  Some themes have included:  talking to your child about drugs, doing a family game night, how to make family dinner fun, and others.  This month I had our new Superintendent come and do a meet 'n greet.  I've also invited our drug/alcohol educator to come the month of October (Red Ribbon week is this week) to talk about best practices in talking with our kids about healthy choices.  This is just another added touch to making your school counseling program POP!

Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students): Great Program!!

Tonight we had our Watch DOGS (Dads of Great Students) event at school.  We have a new Superintendent who has two young children.  He was our guest speaker and spoke about being "present" with our children.  I truly think it made a difference with our dads and made them feel special to have him there.  We had a record number of dads sign up to volunteer for a day at school.

Why do I love this program?  It is one of those special programs that I believe makes my school counseling program POP!  Programs that highlight a special group of stakeholders, such as dads, are a great way to set apart your school counseling program.  I LOVE the Watch DOGS program and highly encourage any school counselor of look into bringing it to your school.  When the dads come and volunteer it is always a very special day for our students.  I can't wait to witness all the special moments this year between our Watch DOGS and students!!

Found this idea on Pinterest and LOVED it!  I made these for all of our faculty and staff.  It was great way to lift everyone's spirits up and make them feel appreciated.  It's important as the School Counselor to keep everyone on a positive path.  Little gestures like the "Smile File" are quick, cheap, and can help make your counseling program POP!!

Back to school: Time to try new things!

I love reading school counselor blogs!  There are so many new and creative ideas out there and a blog is a great way to share. So, one of the new things I wanted to try this year is starting my own blog.  There will be mistakes and mishaps, but I'm excited to learn and share.

Back to school is bitter sweet at my house.  I hate leaving my beautiful, blonde 2 year old son and I miss the lazy days with the important talks about the future of One Direction with my sweet, smart 9 year old daughter, but I also love the excitement of seeing the kids and knowing that I have the opportunity to help them be successful.

However, one of the things I like best about the first day is deciding what to dress up as for the first day.  Each year I dress up like a character.  I've been a DJ spinning records in the gym for the students, a cheerleader with pom poms and signs, worked the Back to School red carpet as an entertainment reporter and last year was the Fairy Godmother.  This year I decided to dress up in our schools mascot costume.  It was so much fun to open the doors for students and give high fives as they walked down the halls.  Making it even more special was walking my daughter to class and giving my son great excitement with the horse costume.  Overall, it was a fun and exciting day.

I would love suggestions for next years costume!!  Here's to a great year!!

Counseling that POPS!

Have you ever heard the term, "That really makes it POP".  It means to make something stand out and be special.  Or how about soda POP or POP music?  These are things that sound fun, exciting, and something you want to be a part of.  Our school counseling programs should be that way.  They should be the thing that makes our schools POP.  At the risk of turning off any males from reading this blog, you can think of our schools like a great little black dress, but what makes it POP is a fun and stylish necklace and clutch.  We are the necklace and the clutch or for the men a great tie to a tailored suit.  What makes a school counseling program POP - details!  The difference is in the details.  I am a firm believer in the small things making a difference.  Small details like having coffee or soda to offer a parent when they come in to talk, putting out meaningful newsletters, sending random happy notes home with students, or dressing up in silly costumes are all things that can make your school counseling program POP.  I am excited to start this blog and network with other fellow school counselors.  A new school year will soon be upon us and I can't wait to see how we make a difference!