![page background](https://cdn.smore.com/_fr/lavenderfield.98cded92.jpg)
Counselor Connection
August 2023
Waynesville Sixth Grade Center
My Contact Information
Phone: 573-842-2300 ext. 2303
Email: tmcnutt@waynesville.k12.mo.usMeet the School Counselor
School Counselor Hours
Monday - Friday
Scheduling A Parent Appointment
School Counselors Help All Students:
- apply academic achievement strategies
- manage emotions and apply interpersonal skills
- plan for postsecondary options (higher education, military, work force)
Appropriate Duties Include Providing:
- individual student academic planning and goal setting
- school counseling classroom lessons
- short-term counseling to students
- referrals for long-term support
- collaborations with families/teachers/administrators/community for student success
- advocacy for students at individual education plan meetings and other student-focused meetings
- data analysis to identify student issues, needs and challenges
- acting as a system change agent to improve equity and access, achievement and opportunities for all students
Specials Rotation
This year at the WSGC, I am a part of a Specials rotation along with Mrs. Houf, the Librarian and Mr. Bolin, the Technology Integration Specialist. We will rotate every four days and I am excited about being in the classroom and presenting important lessons to our students that include the following topics: Emotional Self-Regulation, Suicide Prevention and Awareness, Stress Management and Coping Skills, Bullying, and Personal Hygiene and Adolescence during the first semester. If you have any questions or concerns about any of these lessons, please do not hesitate to contact me.
What is Hope Squad?
This will be our second year offering Hope Squad at the WSGC and we are looking forward to working with our students, parents, staff, and community partners. Hope Squad is a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program. Hope Squad members are nominated by their classmates as trustworthy peers and trained by advisors. The program reduces youth suicide through education, training, and peer intervention. Hope Squad members strive to:
- Create a safe school environment
- Promote connectedness
- Support anti-bullying
- Encourage mental wellness
- Reduce mental health stigma
- Prevent substance misuse
- Advisors to work with Hope Squad members
- Partnership with local mental health agencies
- Administrative and Staff Support
- Parent Meeting & Approval (required to have a parent meeting with Hope Squad members and welcome parent involvement with Hope Squad)
- Meetings with Hope Squad Members Regularly
- Data Collection
Month of August
Welcome to 6th Grade
Month of September
Hope Squad Student Nominations
- Concerned about others
- Care about other students
- Someone who is kind
- Someone who doesn't bully others
- Is a good listener and easy to talk with
- Someone you can turn to if you need a friend
Hope Squad will be focusing on the following activities this year:
- Salvation Army Bell Ringing
- Hope Day and Hope Week
- Hope Squad Food Drive (Snack In A Pack)
- Coins for Kindness
- Mental Health Awareness
- Bullying Prevention
If your child is nominated and selected, parents or guardians will be informed and invited to a parent meeting for your approval. You can learn more about Hope Squad at http://hopesquad.com. In each of my newsletters, I will include the link to their parent newsletter and keep you informed about the difference our Hope Squad members are making at the WSGC. Parent newsletter link: https://hopesquad.com/parents/.
Emotional Self-Regulation
Bullying Prevention
Month of October
Suicide Prevention and Awareness
I will be presenting the Suicide Prevention and Awareness lesson in October. The objectives are:
1) Students will understand warning signs of suicide and how to recognize them
2) Students will be able to identify a trusted adult they will turn to for support
You can also learn more about the Suicide Prevention and Awareness lesson and print off the "Opt Out' form by downloading the pdf below and return the form to the counselor or click on the link below and complete the Google Form and submit. The deadline to return the form is
Friday, September 22, 2023.
Suicide Awareness & Prevention OPT OUT Google Form Link:
Stress Management and Coping Skills
I will also share coping strategies on how to find healthy ways to cope with stress, anxiety, and anger. I will inform and demonstrate to students on how to build their own "Coping Skills Toolbox". What exactly is a Coping Skills Toolbox? It is a collection of your various favorite and healthy items that you can use when you are feeling anxious, panicky, or distressed. Having a Coping Skills Toolbox is a great way to have everything you need readily available when you need it.
Tools Your Child Can Use for Success
- Ask for Help When You Need It
- Be Kind to Others
- Try Your Best
- Have a Positive Attitude
- Participate in Class
- Stay Organized
- Set Goals for Yourself
- Be Responsible for Your Actions
- Listen When Someone is Speaking
- Follow Along in Class
- Use Your Time Wisely
- Stay Focused
- Practice What You've Learned
- Follow Directions Carefully
Tiger Tip Line
Tiger Tip Line is available at https://www.waynesville.k12.mo.us/Page/9592 to report bullying, drugs, fighting, personal crisis, safety risk, threats, vandalism and weapons.
August 17- Meet the Teacher 4 - 6 PM
August - 24- Picture Day
September 4- Labor Day-NO SCHOOLOctober 6 - Early Release-Homecoming
October 9- Teacher In Service Day- NO SCHOOL
October 27- NO SCHOOL