This week’s newsletter is part 1 of a new newsletter segment called Counselor’s Corner all about the work our counselor has been doing this year! Part 1 will showcase their amazing work with Primary and Midlevel, as well as homerooms.
Last year, Kino got our first ever counselor, Serena! Though they are only able to come in two days a week, they’re excited to be part of the team and have been a wonderful addition to our community, adding many services and benefits for our students.
Homeroom Visits
In pursuit of building and strengthening emotional regulation and friendship skills for students of all ages, Serena has done a series of homeroom visits, involving reading a book and doing an activity. The books in chronological order were Have You Filled A Bucket Today?, Moody Cow, and Giraffes Can’t Dance. The content of these books are more geared for younger kids, although all ages can enjoy and benefit, and older students were encouraged to act as role models for the younger ones and some junior high and high school students even helped Serena read the book aloud! ‘Have You Filled A Bucket Today?’ addressed friendship and kindness; Moody Cow was focused on emotional regulation; and Giraffes Can’t Dance touched on self-esteem, accepting others/your own differences, and the importance of persistence.
Serena’s Workshops
Serena talked to primary and mid-level, separately, about bodies, consent, and appropriate touch in terms of age and setting. They went over scientifically accurate names of body parts and identifying the more private parts of our bodies, then talked about appropriate vs inappropriate touch (such as hugs and gentle tagging vs hitting/kicking or touching others private parts) and how to make sure consent is present. Emphasis was placed on the necessity of both conditions, being appropriate and giving consent, to be met. The primary kids were super engaged, interested, interactive, and respectful! They requested to do a lot of role plays where they got to practice asking and giving consent for various types of appropriate touch.
