Welcome to the K-5 Counseling Corner
Happy October, GCA Families!
As the fall season settles in, we’re excited to continue supporting your students academically, socially, and emotionally. This month, we’re focusing on self control, building strong relationships and encouraging positive decision-making. October is also National Bullying Prevention Month, and we will be promoting kindness, respect, and inclusiveness through various activities and lessons. We will also celebrate healthy living with our Red Ribbon Week Celebration. This year our theme is Life is a Movie, Film a Healthy Life!
Please remind your children that the counseling virtual office is always a safe place where they can come to talk, share, or seek advice. We’re here to support them in any way we can!
Wishing everyone a fantastic fall season!
Warmly,
PGB-EGB School Counselors
Mrs. Edgecombe (K-5 Counseling Lead)
Mrs. Lowe (3rd Grade Counselor)
Mrs. Newman (4th Grade Counselor)
Mrs. Hawkins (5th Grade Counselor)
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.
National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month
National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month is observed in October each year. The month is a time to raise awareness about bullying and encourage people to take action to prevent it.
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: SELF CONTROL
Say it: Self-Control: Choosing to do what’s best even when you don’t want to
Know it: ASK A GROWN-UP:
•When is it toughest for you as an adult to have self-control?
•Do you have any tricks or strategies to help you develop self-control?
ASK A KID:
•When is it toughest for you as a kid to have self-control?
See it: In this short video, Cookie Monster learns a few strategies to develop self-control: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0YDE8_jsHk.
He realizes that self-control can be accomplished, even when it is difficult.
Be it: Make a list of times when self-control is toughest. Ask your family to help you come up with a list and ask them to help you show self-control. Some good ideas might be setting goals to limit screen time, responding with kindness, sticking to a bedtime, eating healthy foods, and listening/following directions at school.
Additional lessons/Videos
Red Ribbon Week Lesson
Cyberbullying Lesson
Blindness Awareness Month Video
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!
Join our Grief Counseling Support Hive!
Our Grief Support Hive will start back up September 19th- October 24th (Thursday at 12:00pm). See the link for LC/LG's to register your students. Students will gain support from their peers and coping strategies from staff to manage their emotions in a safe space. We create a hive of love, and let it buzz with joy. There will be laughs, activities, reflections, and resources.
We make Honey & Hopes in this Hive :0) Come Bee part of our crew
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!
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!
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:
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