Fall 2022
School Counselor Newsletter
Holy Rosary Families, I hope the school year is off to a smooth start! My name is Megan Choitz (Ms. Megan), I’m the new school counselor at Holy Rosary. I will be helping the students with Social Emotional Learning lessons, group work, and brief one-on-one meetings. I know the last couple years have been stressful and increased anxiety for many students. My goal as the school counselor is to support all students in continuing to develop coping strategies and tools to deal with life challenges. As I continue to work with all students at Holy Rosary, my aim is to encourage them to continue developing life-long problem-solving skills that support their development as responsible, kind, assertive, and respectful individuals. I’m available to do check-ins with students that need social-emotional support. I’m at Holy Rosary Monday- Friday. I will be collaborating with LibTech on a regular basis to teach Second Step, Kelso’s choices, and support students with bullying and problem-solving. Please Feel Free to reach out to me at mchoitz@holyrosaryws.org. Below is an overview of what we will begin covering this first trimester of the school year.
Kindergarten- 2nd grade
We will begin the year with focusing on Growth Mindset & Goal setting. Students will focus on being Safe, Respectful and Responsible. We will emphasize learning when we experience mistakes, persevering through challenges, and how throughs can be helpful.
Caregivers can partner by utilizing problem-solving techniques at home. Students will identify the difference between big problems, problems they can solve on their own and ones they need support from an adult. In an effort to support students in identifying strategies that work best for them, they will learn the 9 Problem-Solving Techniques from Kelso’s Choice: Go to Another Game, Talk it Out, Share and Take Turns, Ignore it, Walk Away, Tell Them to Stop, Apologize, Make a Deal, and Wait and Cool off lives.
3rd -5th grade
Students will begin understanding that the brain can grow and change. Students will learn that they can improve their skills with practice, effort, help from others, and by trying a new way. Students eventually will develop the skill of making an effective plan for how to get better at a skill. Students will focus on goal setting and how to monitor and modify progress in reaching their goals.
Students will learn how minor problems cause minor feelings of annoyance, embarrassment, boredom, etc. There also “serious problems” that need to be taken to an adult because they are dangerous and could involve someone’s safety. There are verbal choices and non-verbal choices.
6th– 8th grade
Students will continue their development of a growth mindset through learning from challenges, recognizing personal strengths, and exploring the unique aspects of their identities. We will discuss and recognize social challenges that are common during adolescence and the importance of supporting classmates. Middle school students will be given tools to anticipate roadblocks to success and plan strategies for how to overcome them. Students will continue to develop the life-long skill of setting personal goals and creating plans to achieve these goals. Students will also have lessons and support with organization, managing stress, anxiety, and recognizing/ dealing with bullying.
I look forward to collaborating with you this school year to ensure that your child has the support and skills they need to be successful.
