DCHS Counselor 's Corner

Please check the Douglas County High School Counseling webpage to find the MOST up to date Newsletter containing information/events/resources the counseling department can offer our students. If you see a subject you want more information about SEE YOUR COUNSELOR!

-------> https://www.smore.com/hbd9a <-------- LAST MONTH'S RESOURCES AND HAPPENINGS

Something that the counseling department has found extremely insightful and helpful is the new CPR limit series Teen Under Stress.

Over the past three years, Colorado has seen the highest increase in teen suicides in the nation — jumping 58 percent, more than twice what the nation experienced. About a third of Colorado youth report feeling sad or hopeless according to a survey of more than 50,000 middle and high school students. In short, thousands of Colorado teens are dealing with mental health issues and the everyday tensions of 21st Century life.

http://widgets.cpr.org/teens/index.html

When a toxic person can no longer control you, they will try and control how others see you. The misinformation will feel unfair but stay above it, trusting others people will eventually see the truth, just like you did.

Being mindfully present with teens and staying non-judgemental of their behaviors can increase your connection. Look for sparkling moments to connect with your teen, such as car rides or watching TV. You would be surprised how much a teen might share if you are mindfully present rather than anxiously inquisitive.

Counselors organized a career exploration event for 11th graders in partnership with ACC. Students were given choices of career clusters to learn more about then attended sessions hosted by people currently in those fields. Professionals working in the Agricultural, Health Care/Sciences, and Business fields spoke to all 11th graders.

Douglas County's new Drop Out Reduction Specialist. Helping counselors at Douglas County provide resources and options for students who are at risk of dropping out.

The Colorado Department of Education awarded Douglas County School District's Student Assistance Department $1.2 million to support at-risk students through the EARSS Grant.

The DC Student Assistance Department will be working with High Schools, Alternative Education Campuses and Middle School implementing a comprehensive plan to identify and support at-risk students District wide.

Our goals are to:

1. Demonstrate improvement in academic achievement
2. Show improvement in attendance
3. Show improvements in social emotional functioning

Our plan consists of a variety of methods:

• Area schools will have re-engagement centers staffed with teacher/mentors, counselors, social workers and mental health professionals working with identified students utilizing a multi-tiered system of supports.
• Connect families with a community resources that provides assistance with early intervention, comprehensive assessment and improved access to appropriate services in Douglas County
• Expand substance abuse classes and tutoring support for students
• Provide targeted professional development with a focus of increasing culturally responsive truancy intervention practices to staff members

Counselors attended a class for supporting gender diversity here at DC. This class will help Douglas County Counselors

1. enhance awareness of gender identity and gender diversity matters in schools from multiple perspectives,
2. use tools to not only to assess a system’s readiness to accommodate transgender and gender diverse students but to determine the support and transition needs of individual gender diverse youth, and
3. employ strategies to support transgender and gender diverse students and to improve school climates as they pertain to gender diversity.