Debra Carlson
Counselor's Corner
August 26, 2008
Food 4 Kids
Erie Elementary School is participating in a program that provides food packets for students from the Kansas Food Bank, an affiliate of America's Second Harvest. Students are given the packets on Friday to take home with them to use on the weekend. The packets contain non-perishable food items that are student friendly. We are currently serving 35 students through this program. If you are interested in learning more about the program or other Kansas Food Bank programs, please contact me.
"Too Good for Violence"
Students in grades K-8 are participating in the "Too Good for Violence" curriculum written by the Mendez Foundation. This is a violence prevention curriculum that consists of four interconnected strands: conflict resolution, anger management, respect for self and others, and effective communication. The main goal of this material is the teach students techniques for living peaceably. A letter will go home with students as each lesson is completed. The letter will contain information for parents, a parent/student activity, and web sites that provide valuable information.
Kan-Ed Web Site/ Online Tutoring
The state of Kansas has provided all students and teachers in the state access to a web site that contains research tools, learning activities, state standards, and an online live tutoring site. Students in grades 4-8 at Erie Elementary have been introduced to the Kan-Ed web site. Your child may access this site from any computer, at any time. Students will have a card that gives them access to the site. This site will be especially helpful if your child has a question regarding math or other homework. The tutor is a live person who has been screened and trained to provide assistance to students. The hours of operation for Homework Kansas are 4:00-11:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Currently, students must use a PC computer to use the site. However, the web designers are working to make the site compatible with Apple computers as well.
State Assessment Test Results
We have received preliminary State Assessment results from last spring. We are pleased with the overall scores, at this time. As soon as the state releases the final results, we will have information to share with you regarding your child's scores. We will also have certificates to present students who met the "Exemplary" standard.
MAP Tests
We will begin administering the computerized "Measures of Academic Progress" (MAP) in the next two weeks. These tests are given in Math and Reading and will compare student scores to those achieved in the past. MAP tests adjust to an individual student's ability and continue to a point where a student is answering 50% of the items correctly. We will have results prepared to share with you at Parent/Teacher Conferences in October.
Erie Elementary YouthFriends & YouthFriends Corps
Want to volunteer with young people? YouthFriends is a great place to start. IT'S FUN. Be a lunch buddy. Listen to a student read. Share an interest or hobby. Or, just be a good listener. IT'S FLEXIBLE. Pick an age group you enjoy. Volunteer for as little as one hour a week for several weeks, a semester, a school year, or longer. IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE. Quite simply, YouthFriends helps young people succeed. For more information, contact me at school. (The YouthFriends program is for adult volunteers, and the YouthFriends Corps program allows high school students to volunteer.)
We currently have three YouthFriends Corps student volunteers from the Senior class at EHS. Most of these students are working with lower elementary-age classes. We also have five adult volunteers. These volunteers are making a real contribution to the students of Erie Elementary School. Thanks to all the YouthFriends volunteers that make such a difference in the lives of our students!
Counseling and Guidance
Please feel free to contact me at any time during the school year regarding concerns you have about your child. As the school counselor, I am available to work with children, parents, and teachers regarding difficulties a child is experiencing. I work with individual students when they have concerns, grades are slipping, or on teacher/parent recommendations. I also deliver guidance lessons in each classroom which focus on the areas of academics, personal/social relationships, and career awareness.
Another very important program that is delivered through the counseling office is the Student Improvement Team (SIT) process. This team of classroom teachers, the principal, the Title I teachers, and the counselor meet to discuss strategies and interventions for students who are experiencing academic difficulties. These students are monitored throughout the year in order to assure as much student success as is possible.
If you have comments, concerns, or would just like to visit, call me!
