EXCITING SCHOOL-WIDE PROGRAMMING IN AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SETTING

HOW TO MAKE YOUR SCHOOL A "MODEL SCHOOL" 

Presented by:

Marissa RexProfessional School Counselor

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Marissa RexProfessional School Counselor

Hiawatha Elementary SchoolToledo, OH

2nd Year as School Counselor Additional License: Early Childhood Education

Hiawatha Elementary, Washington Local Schools 330 Students 50% labeled as “Economically Disadvantaged” School closure in the district

District lines changed---1/3 of our students reassigned, gained slightly more

OTHER SERVICES

Individual Counseling Small Group Counseling Classroom-Based Counseling (lessons/units) Counselor Mail

2 letters per student each school year 1 letter per classroom each week

During the last week, some classrooms get more (it keeps the Counselor Mail cycle even)

Includes: Hand-written letter Word search, funny picture, etc.

Reminders during Monday announcements

OVERVIEW OF SCHOOL-WIDE PROGRAMS

Main Programs: PAWS- Pride, Attitude, Work Habits, Self-Control Cooperative Games (Fall and Spring) Mix it Up at Lunch Days No Name-Calling Awareness Week Bully Free Awareness Week Be the Change Day

Focus: Specifics of the Programs How Hiawatha Organized the Programs Recognition and Feedback How to Apply for Awards

PAWS CARDS

Goal: Help students recognize their

PAWSitive behaviors Make connections between good

behaviors and positive recognition

Reward System: Each month, we hold a drawing for students and

teachers. Prizes are pencils, certificate Grand prize winners get a gift certificate to a

book store

Student’s Name: ________________

This student made a difference, showing excellence in…

Pride

Attitude

Work Habits

Self-Control

COOPERATIVE GAMES

Goal: Improve school climate

How it Works: Divide students into groups (K-6) Play cooperative games Have picnic lunch Fall and Spring

Student Leaders, 1 adult per group

Organization: PE teacher, volunteers, committee

COOPERATIVE GAMES

MIX IT UP AT LUNCH DAYS

Goal: Help students get to know each other on a more

meaningful level. Improve school climate, students interactions

How it started: Teaching Tolerance website Building off Cooperative Games (Fall) Wanted to improve SWIS data

SCHEDULING

Sub-committee 2 Groups (A and B)

1 grade level per group Divide students evenly among teachers Use the regular lunch schedule

Students eat on their Mix it Up Day teacher’s schedule.

Discuss with cafeteria manager We did this on a “one choice” day for buyers Packers can take their lunches with them

or you can line up lunch bins in the cafeteria based on regular classrooms

WALL OF INTOLERANCE

Classrooms created bricks

Wall under bricks was covered with class pictures and our district’s core values

COOPERATIVE GAMES/RECESS

Built on what we just did with Cooperative Games

Older students are the leaders

Had to change schedule to lunch then recess Recess supervisors call out group numbers (room

numbers) instead of grade level when recess is over

They all had a checklist of when groups arrived at recess and when they would need to be picked up

LUNCH

Students eat based on their Mix it Up Day teacher’s schedule

Our cafeteria manager was very willing to work with us on this program Give everyone plenty of notice!

CLASSROOM TIME

The time during the lunch/recess block when a group is not at lunch or recess. 11:50-1:15 (lunch/recess block) Groups most often have “sandwiched” time

Classroom Lunch Recess Classroom

NO NAME-CALLING AWARENESS WEEK

Goal: Continue to improve

and maintain building climate

Events: Classroom lessons

(sign-up) Creative Expression

Contest Pictures Songs Sculptures Stories Poems

BULLY FREE AWARENESS WEEK

Goal:Continue to improve and

maintain building climate

Events:Classroom lessonsDoor Decorating Contest

Student-drivenCelebration of each

classroom’s effort

BE THE CHANGE DAY

Currently aimed at our intermediate students Eventually we hope to incorporate this message

in our school-wide efforts

Similar to a “Challenge Day” If You Really Knew Me http://www.challengeday.org/mtv/

Provides students with an opportunity to get to know each other and break down barriers

RECOGNITION AND FEEDBACK

Awards (2009-2010) Model School Award Promising Practice Award Working on 2011 State School of Character

Application

Grant (2009-2010) Ohio School Counselor Association

Staff Feedback

HOW TO APPLY FOR AWARDS/GRANTS

Model School Award http://www.tolerance.org/mix-it-up/model-schools

Character Education Partnership Promising Practice Award

http://www.character.org/applicationprocess State School of Character National School of Character

http://www.character.org/nsocapplicationprocess

OSCA Grant http://www.ohioschoolcounselor.org/Default.aspx?

pageId=536895

CONCLUSION

Whether you are a new school counselor or a veteran, you can organize effective school-wide programs!

A positive attitude and strong work ethic goes a LONG way and can change people’s view of the school counseling field.

You do NOT have to do this alone!

Contact information:Marissa Rex(419) 473-8266mrex@wls4kids.org