Counselor's Corner - April 2025
Information about school counseling and local resources
Our April classroom counseling lessons varied by grade level. Students in grades K-4 and 6th discussed friendship and we tied in how to handle conflicts when they arise. 5th grade students learned about the 16 Career Clusters and identified their strengths and interests to see which career cluster they may be interested in pursuing in the future. Our 7th and 8th grade students learned about cyber bullying and how to use the Internet safely and responsibly.
I LOVED the discussions and questions that were shared this month! Our students are learning and growing in all areas!!
It's crazy to think that the final month of school is upon us! For the month of May, our counseling classroom lesson topics will mostly focus on college and career readiness. Students will be introduced to the various options that come after high school to help them start thinking about the path they would like to take in the future! And since we're nearing the end of the school year, our 5th and 8th grade classes will spend some time learning about the transition to middle school and high school. We'll make sure they are more than prepared for this new adventure!
Career Exploration
This site: https://www.onetonline.org/ will be used with some of our middle school classes and is a great resource for kids. It allows them to research possible careers, determine if college is necessary for a particular career, potential salaries, etc. Feel free to go through it with them...they love discovering all the possibilities!
DoveTales is designed for children (ages 6-17) who are coping with the death of a loved one. DoveTales is an educational, nurturing, and safe place for children and families to share their stories and to meet others who “get it.” Children/Families will have the opportunity to learn effective and practical skills for coping with their grief. There is no cost for children/families to participate in this experience, courtesy of various private donations, as well as community grants. Registration is REQUIRED.
The full day camp event will begin at 8:30 AM and conclude at 6:30 PM. Group activities include sharing stories, creating lots of crafts, playing games, enjoying outdoor and nature activities, and having fun! All meals are included. Parents/guardians are invited to attend a special family dinner at 5:00 PM-6:00 PM, and meet other families, learn about camp activities, and honor their loved ones.
All of the children who register for the program will receive a special care package including a DoveTales t-shirt, canvas bag, workbook, water bottle, and comfort items on the day of the event.
Register your child(ren) to attend DoveTales. Check HERE for 2025 Registration! Submit by June 13, 2025.
https://hospiceofwc.org/grief-support/dovetales-childrens-program
Common Sense Media is a tool that families can use to take charge of the digital choices made in their home. They offer ratings for tv shows, movies, apps, and much more! Check it out here: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
Meritus Mental Health Walk-in Clinic
The waiting lists for therapy can be upwards of 6 months. The Meritus Mental Health Walk-in Clinic is an option for individuals ages 6 and up. Check out the link below for more information:
211 is a 24/7 go-to resource that connects millions with locally available help. Expert, caring call center operators are supporting 99% of the U.S. population. People can contact 211 by phone, text, and online.
Safe2Say
The Safe2Say Something program was established within the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General through Act 44 of 2018. Safe2Say Something is a system for anonymously reporting unsafe, potentially harmful, dangerous, violent or criminal activities in any school in Pennsylvania.
Contact Information for Mrs. Fortney
Email: klfortney@iu12.org
Website: https://www.iu12.org/
Phone: (717) 624 - 4616 x 6237