It has been an amazing few months with a flurry of activities and learning! From career exploration to kindness campaigns, our students have been learning, growing, and showing up as their best selves. Here's what we've been up to in Counseling:
👩🔬👨🚒 CAREERS LESSONS AND UNIT C CAREER FAIR HIGHLIGHT
A huge THANK YOU to all our amazing volunteers including 24 community members that represented the 6 career paths, the Unit C parent volunteers as career guides and the RWE School Counseling Advisory Council who helped to plan and make it all possible. Thank you for sharing your love of learning and career paths, interests and skills with our students during the Unit C Career Fair!
Students explored 6 Career Paths and took the interest inventory which showed them the career path and jobs that matched their particular interests.
Explore more: https://portal.missouriconnections.org/
🩺 Health Path: Columbia College Surgical techs and Director, Surgical Nurse, VA Dep Chief of Staff; Doctor, Columbia College Medical Lab Tech.
🤝 Human Services (Helping) Path: City of Columbia, City Council Ward Member; Shelter Insurance- IT; Ashland Police Dept.; City of Columbia Fire Captain.
🏗️ Engineering & Technology (Building and Fixing) Path: Emery Sapp and Sons Engineering; Questec, plumbing and HVAC, Reinhardt Construction, Ameren UE Engineer.
💻 Business & Technology Path: Graphic Designer, Strategic Communications Manager-Columbia Area Career Center, Veterans United Human Resources, Oklahoma City Thunder Basketball, Software Engineer, Columbia College IT.
- 🌳 Agriculture and Natural Resources: (Nature Path): Columbia Farmers Market Director and Farmer, Rock Bridge Animal Hospital Veterinarian, My Secret Garden Florist; Ameren UE Damage Prevention Public Awareness Specialist.
- 🎨Arts and Communications: (Creative Path): Florist, Athletes in Action, Affiliate strategy coordinator and play-by-play broadcaster for LEARFIELD, Columbia College Professor of Music, Professional Opera Singer, KMIZ Weather Meteorologist.
Students learned that their career path is made up of their skills and interests they are learning now (Reading, writing, math, science, technology, art, music, physical education, social emotional skills: self awareness, social awareness, self management, relationship skills, responsible decision making) interests, activities, clubs, volunteering, education, training and jobs throughout their career path.
Units A and B took part in Career Path learning and exploration: with books, lessons, discussion. They will have the Fire Department visit next month. Unit B is taking an interest inventory to explore the career path of their interest.
💛 CHARACTER TRAIT: KINDNESS
We celebrated kindness school-wide with lessons and a Kindness Assembly featuring a short play based on the story “Please” from children’s literature, “Hello Friend” song from Unit A and Unit C choir performance with Mr. White.
In our lessons, students explored through writing, discussion and children’s literature: What it means to be kind, why kindness matters, role plays and kindness scenarios,- How one small act can make a big difference. Kindness Boomerang: Life Vest Inside - Kindness Boomerang - "One Day" Children’s Literature: “What does it mean to be kind?” “When we are kind” Kindness is a choice we can make every day! Being Kind to yourself and others matters. Here is a website for ideas and activities at home: https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/
💪 CHARACTER TRAIT: PERSEVERANCE: KEEP TRYING, KEEP GROWING
Our recent counseling lessons focused on the power of Perseverance and a Growth Mindset. Children’s Literature: books like The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes and Splash:Growth Mindset, The Tortoise and the Hare and famous figures who did not give up. Students learned:
“If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!”
Mistakes are part of learning.
It’s okay to ask for help or take a break.
Growth happens through effort, practice, and challenges.
When we face challenges, our brain grows stronger! 🧠💥
Unit B and C: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlHse7cI9jg The power of perseverance
Thomas Edison: "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”
🧘♀️ MAP TESTING PREP and RELAXATION STRATEGIES: YOU’VE GOT THIS!
As we prepared for MAP testing, students learned strategies to focus on self-care, relaxation strategies and test prep tips to help every student feel calm and confident: Eat a healthy breakfast, Stay hydrated, Get good sleep, Unplug & rest, Stretch and breathe, Use positive self-talk and affirmations, “I am prepared. I am calm. I can do this!” Unit C took part in The Important Test: This was a trick quiz to teach students the importance of reading and following the directions carefully.
💌 THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Upcoming Lessons will include transitions/ change and summer safety. It is an honor and a privilege to work with the fantastic students, staff, admin and families at RWE! Thank you for all you do! Please reach out if you have any questions. I am here to help.
With gratitude,
Beth Ryberg
Ridgeway School Counselor
