Respecting Others: Don't be an Interrupting Chicken

Reading Interrupting Chicken  by David Ezra Stein reinforces our whole group expectations during this time of year. Students often blurt out answers in class and are reminded to not be an "interrupting chicken" so they can be good listeners. Good listeners show respect to others by not interrupting. After we read the story, the students write their own story. The authors of these creative stories narrate the stories as fellow classmates act out their original story starring Interrupting Chicken. The students are proud of their work and take pride in seeing their writing come to life in a classroom drama. 

  

Building Community using Kagan Structures

Students used the Kagan Structure "Fan N Pick" to learn how to actively listen and respect each other. Each group was given a set of questions about school and students rotated through group roles as they answered different questions. In order to be successful the students had to interact with each other with respect and respond to the question and answer. Through cooperative learning, the students are able to gain social skills and value their classmates in their group. 

Welcome Work: Making It Personal

As students enter their counseling time during block each week, it is my goal as a counselor to make connections and build relationships with each and every student. One way is through our Welcome Work. Every Welcome Work folder has a letter from me which includes a  positive quote or statement. 

The students then open their folders and begin writing/drawing their "Sunshine and Rain Cloud". A "Sunshine" is something that the student is looking forward to or something that happened to them that made them happy or excited. Their "Rain Cloud" is an event that made them upset, sad or angry. Students are encouraged to share their sunshine and rain cloud as we build our classroom community with a foundation of trust and empathy. 

After their students write down their "Sunshine and Rain Cloud", the students complete a "Emotional Check-in". The students learn that all feelings are okay and acceptable. It's our choices and attitude that will guide us through the day. As the counselor, I will find students that might need a little extra TLC for the day and follow-up conversations.

On the back of every folder there is a "Breathing Star". As a group we take five deep breaths using the star. This helps our brain receive the oxygen it needs to learn the lesson we will be learning that day. It's also great practice for anxiety and calming down in stressful situations. As the students practice this technique, they will be able to use this skill on their own and gain control of difficult emotions. 

CHAMPS Classroom Expectations

Welcome back to school! We want all of our students to be successful. Victoria ISD uses CHAMPs from Safe & Civil Schools as a guide to student expectations. Each letter in CHAMPS represents an expectation of the student. Below are pictures my expectations for the activities in my counseling classes on block days. CHAMPs can be modified to fit each teacher's needs based on their schedule and activities.

Mrs. Absher, our instructional coach came up with an adorable chant that I use with all of our students. The kids love it!
C-Conversation "What is my voice level?"
H-Help "How do I get it?"
A-Activity "What are we doing?"
M-Movement "What can my body do?"
P-Participation "What should I be doing?"
S-Success "'Cuz we know that we're the best! Woo!"

Character Counts!

"We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Both Guadalupe Elementary and William Wood Elementary will be implementing school-wide character education using the Character Counts Curriculum. Students will be encouraged to display TRRFCC character in the classroom and throughout the community. TRRFCC is pronounced 'terrific' and each letter stands for a character trait within the curriculum: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. Students will also be recognized for their outstanding character at TRRFCC Character Ceremonies throughout the year. The dates for these ceremonies are listed below. Please join us in celebrating character at William Wood Elementary and Guadalupe Elementary.


Guadalupe Elementary                                
TRRFCC Ceremony Dates (8:00 am)                             
Respect: September 26th
Responsibility: October 31st
Caring: December 12th 
Fairness: January 30th
Trustworthiness: February 27th
Citizenship: April 24th


William Wood Elementary
ACE Academy Ceremony Dates (8:00 am)
Respect: September 23rd
Responsibility: October 26th
Caring: December 9th
Fairness: January 27th
Trustworthiness: February 24th
Citizenship: April 21st

 All staff learned how character is not something added to their plate. Character is the plate! Teachers used their ELAR, Social Studies, Music, and PE TEKS to think about lessons that they do in the classroom where they can teach character with intention. Students will gain knowledge of the character pillars and see connections throughout the school. 

VISD Proud

VISD Proud and ready for the school year to begin!

Let's Go Stars!                                    Let's Go Aviators!

 

"Pack the Bus" Volunteers Needed (ages 10+)

The Pack the Bus Campaign helps hundreds of VISD students with financial needs prepare for the school year. Volunteers ages 10 and up are welcome!

Pack the Bus Volunteer Scheduled Work Days

• Tuesday August 2^nd – Meet at HEB Plus 6pm – 8:30pm
  • We will be pre-packaging school supplies for customers in the HEB Conference Room. We will meet at the restaurant in HEB Plus
     
• Friday & Saturday August 5^th & 6^th –School Supply Drive at HEB PLUS & HEB

• From 8:30am – 5pm we will be manning booths at both entrances at HEB Plus and HEB Rio Grande.
• Volunteers can choose to serve at either shift or both. The shifts are 8:30am – 12noon & 12noon – 5pm.
• Our goal is to collect school supplies for 3,500 children who need them to start school.

• August 8, 9, 11, 12^th – Meet at Faith Family Church Warehouse 6pm- 8:30pm

• Package school supplies for registered families (appox. For 3,000 children)

• August 13^th   – School Supplies Distribution Day 8AM – 1PM Connection Center
  • Supplies will be distributed at:  FCC CONNECTION CENTER 9AM – 12PM

For more information, please call Mark Longoria at 361-573-2484 or cell 361-655-9899.