K-5th Grade School Counseling News
November 2024
Welcome to the K-5 Counseling Corner
Hello Amazing Students!
Happy November! As the leaves change and the weather cools, it’s a great time to think about generosity and gratitude. This month, we’ll be exploring ways to show appreciation for the people around us – from friends and family to classmates and teachers.
Remember, small acts of kindness and generosity make a big difference! A friendly smile, a helping hand, or simply saying “thank you” can brighten someone’s day.
If you ever need someone to talk to, remember we’re here for you. Feel free to contact your school counselor anytime – our "virtual" door is always open!
Wishing you a fantastic November full of learning, laughter, and gratitude.
Warmly,
PGB-EGB School Counselors
How to reach the K-5 School Counselors
You can reach your counselor by calling the main number 404-334-4790 and then dialing the extension beside their name or contacting them via email. Both have been provided for you below.
Mrs. Edgecombe (K-5 Counseling Lead)
Mrs. Lowe (3rd Grade Counselor)
Mrs. Newman (4th Grade Counselor)
Mrs. Hawkins (5th Grade Counselor)
How to reach the K-5 School Social Worker
Primary and Elementary School Worker
Ms. Cassandra Doss
Email: cdoss@georgiacyber.org
Phone ext. 12846
I am super excited about the 24-25 school year and working to support you! My virtual office is always open. Please don't hesitate to reach out.
State and National Initiatives, Celebrations, and Events
Native American Heritage Month
National Native American Heritage Month is celebrated each year in November. It is a time to celebrate the traditions, languages and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation.
Military Family Appreciation Month
National Veterans and Military Families Month (NVMFM) is celebrated in November to honor the sacrifices and contributions of military families and transitioning veterans. The month includes events, programs, and discounts to show appreciation.
Adoption Awareness Month
To educate people about adoption and foster care, celebrate families united by adoption, and honor birth parents
Picture Book Month
Picture Book Month is an international celebration of picture books that takes place every November. The Children's Book Council co-founded the month to honor the importance of picture books and to highlight their ability to help people learn and grow.
Red Ribbon Week RECAP!!!
Red Ribbon Week: Life is a Movie, Flim a Healthy Life!
RED RIBBON WEEK is Celebrated Annually October 23rd-31st. Red Ribbon Week highlights the importance of living a healthy life. It presents an opportunity for parents, educators, and communities to reinforce the "healthy life" messages they share with their children throughout the year.
Check out photos of the PGB-EGB School Counselors celebrating RED RIBBON WEEK!
Wear Red Day!
Ms. Newman
Wear Red Day!
Mrs. Edgecombe
Wear Red Day!
Mrs. Lowe
Wear Red Day!
Mrs. Hawkins
Hat or Cap Day!
Mrs. Newman
Hat or Cap Day!
Mrs. Lowe
Hat or Cap Day!
Mrs. Hawkins
Crazy Sock Day!
Mrs. Edgecombe
Crazy Sock Day!
Ms. Newman
Crazy Sock Day!
Mrs. Lowe
Cray Sock Day!
Mrs. Hawkins
For Students
Counseling Lessons
We are going to have a great time this year as we explore careers, build character, and learn skills to help you become the best students you can be and ACE the school year!
** Please understand if your student does not get called on or recognized individually in class, emails are always welcome if your child wants to share something with their school counselor**
Character Word of the Month: GENEROSITY
SAY IT: Making someone’s day by giving something away
KNOW IT:
ASK A GROWN-UP: • Share about a time in your life that someone showed you generosity. How did this make you feel? • How do you feel when you are able to be generous to others?
ASK A KID: • Have you seen or experienced anyone show generosity? • What’s one thing you have that you could give away as an act of generosity?
SEE IT: Read the following quotes and have each family member pick their favorite. Tell each other why it is your favorite and what it means to you.
That’s what I consider true generosity: You give your all and yet you always feel as if it costs you nothing. — Simone de Beauvoir
You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.
— John Bunyan
Money is but one venue for generosity. Kindness is an even more valuable currency. — Alan Cohen
BE IT: As a family, create a quote about generosity. Decide why it is important, how it supports the family, how it improves your life and others’ lives, and the positive impact it has on the world. Once you have a quote that summarizes the importance of generosity, write it on a poster and hang it where the whole family can read it every day. Look for ways that you and your family can live out the spirit of generosity
Additional lessons/Videos
Native American Heritage Month
Picture Book Month
MOTIVATIONAL MONDAYS
The K-5th grade School Counselors will lead our Motivational Mondays initiative. This is where your child receives a message of encouragement from their Counselor on Mondays. If you haven't received a message yet...be on the look out... Motivational Monday messages are coming to an "inbox" near you!
Free Your Feels! Georgia crisis line for Georgia youth that need support
Free Your Feels is a mental health awareness campaign encouraging Georgia's young people to explore their real feelings and share them without being afraid.
Interested in raising awareness about youth mental health? This toolkit will help you get started. With social media posts, infographics, and helpful tips, you'll be equipped to start the conversation. Click on the Free Your Feel image to the right to access the toolkit!
GCA Community Events
Community Day Fall 2024 was a fun day across the state of GA. Locations were Cartersville, McDonough, Commerce, Warner Robbins, Savannah, Dunwoody, Hiram, Augusta, Chattanooga TN, Albany, Blarisville, Columbus, and St. Mary's! Thank you GCA Families for coming out and celebrating being a GCA Champion!
Check out photos from Hiram and McDonough Community Day Locations!!!
WANT TO ATTEND FIELD TRIPS OR ATTEND COMMUNITY EVENTS?
CLICK THE LINK BELOW!!
GCA's Patch Program
The Community Events & Partnerships Team is excited to offer another year of their recognition program known as the Patch Program. The Patch Program is an optional opportunity for students to earn patches and be awarded for regularly attending GCA hosted events and outings.
The K-5th grade Counselors are sending a big shout out to ALL students celebrating birthday's in October 2024. We are wishing you a very happy day, and a splendid year.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU AND MANY MORE!!!!!!
GCA Virtual Community Center
We are excited to announce that our GCA Virtual Community Center (VCC) is now live in the GCA Champions Portal. You can access the portal at https://www.georgiacyber.org/champion-portal and you're able to login with your GCA email and password.
In the portal, you'll see the VCC button on the bottom left corner of your homepage. There, you'll find two groups of resources-One for students and one for families.
The categories there can be expanded to show a variety of resources, which will grow and be updated regularly. If you need help with a particular resource that is not listed, please let us know. If you have any questions about the VCC or need an additional or different type of resource, please contact Mayya Bryan (maybryan@georgiacyber.org)."
24-25 Attendance Pep Rally Winners
Thank you all for attending the Minion Reasons to Be a H.E.R.O. Attendance Pep Rally! We are thrilled to announce that EGB is our grand prize winner for achieving the highest attendance.
Additionally, congratulations to Leah P. from EGB for winning the Six Flags tickets!!
We would also like to recognize our other grade band winners:
PGB: Bailey M.
Congratulations to all our winners! We hope you enjoy your prizes!
Every School Day Counts!
IN THE KNOW WITH GCA!!!
TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING AT GCA.
CLICK THE LINK BELOW FOR MORE GCA EVENTS AND IMPORTANT DATES!
Keeping up with GCA Counseling!
Georgia Cyber Academy: www.georgiacyber.org
Parent Calendar: https://www.georgiacyber.org/calendars/parent-calendar
Elementary Counseling Website: https://www.georgiacyber.org/school-life/counseling/k5-counseling
School Counseling Website:
💡 Reminders
Who Should I Contact
- Scheduling Concerns- Melissa Filiatreau ext: 2050 mfiliatreau@georgiacyber.org
- Advanced Placement/ Gifted - Stacy Clendenen ext: 2089 sclendenen@georgiacyber.org
- Software Issues(Canvas, Class) – FEL
- Attendance- Attendance Specialist
- Password Resets- FEL
- Technology Issues-Curriculum or instructional platform issues (student courses, G-suite, or Clever, Canvas, Class, Infinite Campus): technology@georgiacyber.org
Mission Statement
The mission of the Georgia Cyber Academy’s (GCA) Counseling & Student Support Services Department is to provide a comprehensive program that is accessible to all students and assists students with acquiring the skills, knowledge and attitudes needed to become effective students, responsible citizens, and lifelong learners. The student services program is an integral part of the school’s total program with a commitment to individual uniqueness and the maximum development of human potential. We use a variety of differentiated interventions to ensure each student receives equitable services. The program addresses the personal/social, educational, and career needs and desires of each GCA student . The department’s ultimate goal is for students to graduate with the competencies necessary to be able to make self-directed, realistic, and responsible decisions and to be successful contributors to society.
Vision Statement
Through a holistic approach, the Georgia Cyber Academy Counseling Department will empower all students to reach their highest potential by using a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes academic, career and personal/social development. Our program will foster the growth of each student as a civic minded contributor with their local communities and beyond. Upon graduation, students will be college and/or career ready and will have the competencies necessary to be able to make self-directed, realistic, and responsible decisions to be successful contributors to society.
Belief Statement
The GCA Counseling & Student Support Services believe:
- Students’ ability to learn is dependent upon having their basic needs met.
- All students are unique, and when given a safe, nurturing environment, will succeed to their fullest potential
- All students should have access to a high quality education
- All students have the right to be heard and treated with respect
- Members of our department are advocates for every student
- The services and interventions we provide should be data driven and developmentally appropriate
- Staying abreast of ethical standards and developments within our profession is necessary to effectively serve our students
- Applying the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors empowers school counselors to make decisions based on the highest moral principles to promote the maximum development of every student