Denali Counseling Office News:
I wanted to thank Denali’s families for the excellent support they have provided to their children at the start of the ‘07-’08 school year. I am seeing bright, eager to learn, well-rested students coming to school every day. We have begun our lessons this year with expectations talks conducted by Mrs. Hull and I, followed by lessons reviewing the counselor role here at Denali. These have been very fun and give students an opportunity to learn the many ways that the counselor’s office can be of assistance to them.
This year, we will have two students from UAA’s Graduate School of Social Work doing their practicum at Denali. Tyne Smith will be at school on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and Tina McGauthiar will be here Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. We are very fortunate to have such talented and enthusiastic individuals working here with our children.
We will continue to provide parent education with Assets Newsletters in each week’s Paw Prints. Assets is a wonderful research-based resiliency program developed by The Search Institute. You can visit their website, www.search-institute.org/assets/, for more information. This week we will reprint the introductory newsletter which explains the Assets approach. You can obtain copies of last year’s newsletters in the counselor’s office on such topics as The Nurturing Nature of Support, Love and Support: The Heartbeat of Healthy Families and Open-Door Communication. Next week, look for a very important topic (one we stress in guidance lessons throughout the year): Crucial Supports. Remember, youth are more likely to grow up healthy when they receive support from three or more non-parent adults.
You can reach Ms. Banta, Ms. Tina and Ms. Tyne at 742-5073 or by email to banta_janice@asdk12.org or just drop by the counseling office most days, before or after school.