Classroom Guidance
Guidance lessons are a regular part of our students’ classroom education and experience.
These lessons are presented bi-monthly by the school counselor for students in grades K through 5. They cover a variety of areas of importance in helping students learn about themselves and others and in developing personal and interpersonal skills.
Some of the topics included relate to:
|
|
Feelings |
|
|
Friendships |
|
|
Communication |
|
|
Social Skills |
|
|
Problem Solving |
|
|
Conflict Management |
|
|
Decision Making |
|
|
Careers |
Individual Counseling
Individual counseling is an important element of the counseling program. The counselor is available for all students. Students may self-refer or be referred to the counselor by teachers and/or parents. Confidentiality is respected.
Group Counseling
Group counseling is provided for small groups of students experiencing similar needs. These may include social skills, family stresses (separation/divorce), illnesses, loss of a loved one or interpersonal relationships
Children learn virtues, morals and values from their everyday interactions with family, school, and community members. Our Education for Character Program at OLA encourages, supports and invites family, school and community members to interact with our children in the teaching and development of behaviors that reflect the beliefs, morals, virtues and values of a strong Catholic Christian Character.
Core Essentials/ Character Traits (2007-2008)
Each month from September through May, one character trait from the nine chosen (knowledge, determination, gratitude, generosity, resourcefulness, fairness, hope, conviction, obedience) will be highlighted for development among all of us. In each class, students will be chosen monthly who have shown through his/her actions and words, the particular character trait for that month. Their names will be read during morning announcements and placed on our school bulletin board.
One of our program initiatives is Reading Aloud about Character Traits. We are inviting parents to volunteer in a class, once per month, to read a story to the children followed by a discussion time, about the character trait being highlighted. A bibliography of stories/books about character traits is available. Many of these books can be found in the OLA library.
The Principles of Education for Character
Character is formed by your beliefs, values, virtues, and morals.
How you think and behave is based on your character.
Having good character traits help you to make good choices.
Every choice you make helps define the kind of person you are choosing to be.
When you practice good character traits (such as honesty, respect, responsibility, truthfulness, kindness, etc.) then these traits become life habits.
Only you can form your good character. No one can give you good character or take good character away from you.
Your character shapes the way you deal with yourself and others, on the inside and on the outside.
What you do matters, and one person can make a difference.
Having a good character makes you a better person and it makes the world a better place.
Character Traits and Definitions:
INITIATIVE- Seeing what needs to be done and doing it.
RESPECT- Responding with words and actions that show others they are important.
UNIQUENESS- Learning more about others so you can know more about yourself.
PEACE- Proving you care more about each other than winning an argument.
ORDERLINESS- Arranging things to make your day easier.
KINDNESS- Showing others they are valuable by how you treat them.
COURAGE- Being brave enough to do what you should do even when you're afraid.
JOY- Finding a way to be happy even when things don't go your way.
PATIENCE- Waiting until later for what you want now.
PARENTING TIPS
1. Children can learn behaviors that teach them about virtues/values.
2. Set behavior goals for children to achieve. Define the behaviors needed to reach the goal.
3. Be a good role model. Help the children to have a mental picture of the behaviors you want them to model.
4. Read stories with them about people with good character (historical, present) and tell them stories about family members or others who have good character, to inspire them.
5. Use those simple, everyday experiences with the children and make them special “Teachable Moments” about virtues/values.
6. Encourage the children’s practice of good behaviors with family members, children at school, and others, each day.
7. Help them to understand that our behaviors (actions) come from what we are thinking and what we are feeling. That it is important to know our thoughts and recognize our feelings to evaluate the rightness or wrongness of our behaviors.
8. Reinforce the practice of their good behaviors through the use of praise and privileges.
9. Observe the children to determine if their behaviors are reflecting what they are learning about virtues/values.
Parent Program
Parents, join us for “Coffee and Conversation”!
Come meet other parents, and the school counselor. We’ll share and discuss topics of current and/or mutual interest (Communication skills, coping skills, power struggles, report card tips, internet safety tips). Please call the counselor if you are interested in this program, if enough parents are interested dates and times will then be scheduled.
THE BANANA SPLITS CLUB
A Support Group for children who are experiencing family changes through separation or divorce.
The Banana Splits Club is a support group for elementary age children. It is designed to give children who are experiencing separation or divorce in their families, a safe place to process these changes. The children will meet for six sessions to do activities and share their feelings and thoughts about the family changes and learn how best to cope with those changes.
The program is available upon request to any family at Our Lady of the Assumption School. Please feel free to contact the Counselor for more information.
PARENT RESOURCES
Recommended Reading:
The Wonder of Girls by Michael Gurian Pocket Books NY 2002.
Mr. Gurian offers a groundbreaking approach to raising daughters in his new book "The Wonder of Girls". He provides crucial information for fully understanding the basic nature of girls: up-to-date scientific research on female biology, hormones, and brain development and how they shape girls' interests, behaviors and relationships. In this book he uses this nature based approach to explain girls' developmental needs and changes;physically, emotionally and spiritually.
The Wonder of Boys by Michael Gurian Penguin Putnam Inc. 1997.
Michael Gurian writes an insightful and practical book describing what boys need to become strong, responsible, sensitive men. He explains that a boy needs a primary and extended family, relationships with mentors and intense support from his school and community. With excellent detail, he provides numerous ways in which we can provide these for the boys we love.
last edited 01/02/2008
