Updates from the School Counselor

• I am currently teaching a 6 week unit in Mr. Kenny, Mrs. Coviello, Mrs. Guntulis and Mr. Guilmette’s classroom. I am using parts of the Second Step Curriculum which focuses on 3 areas of learning and growth:
  • Empathy
  • Emotional Regulation
  • Problem Solving
• Lessons have included:
  • Empathy and Compassion; with the supplemental stories of “Have You Filled a Bucket Today?” and “Stand in my Shoes”
  • Styles of Communication – Passive, Aggressive, and Assertive; with the supplemental story of “Dare” (from the Weird, Dare and Tough series)
  • Understanding Similarities and Differences; with the supplemental story of “Judgmental Flower” by Julia Cook
  • Understanding Complex Emotions
  • The YouTube Video; “How to Unmake a Bully” (4th grade) and “How to Unmake a Bully, 4 – Left Out” (5th grade) as a follow up to the Bullying/Harassment lessons Mr. Ryan and I presented at the start of the school year.
• Ms. Songer and Mrs. Hopper’s classes meet every other Friday for these lessons, and Mrs. Lemnah, Mrs. Auch, Mrs. Lee, and Ms. Siracusa’s classes will start their 6 week unit on October 19th.
• If you would like any supplemental materials to use at home with your child, there is a Parent Link to the Second Step lessons I can provide you.
• Please feel free to view some of the video clips I use with the classes on the Guidance Link below

• I will be facilitating small groups during the 4th and 5th grade MTSS times throughout the year. Each group will meet twice a week for 6 weeks. If you feel your child would benefit from being in a group, please email me at: abigelow@ccsuvt.org or call me at 857-7000; ext. 2015. Topics are: Emotional Regulation (Zones of Regulation); Friendship; Anxiety; and Coping with Divorce or Separation.

Guidance videos