August 20 - September 4: Introduction to the counselor and the role of the counselor in the school. Discuss what the counselor is doing during remote learning and how to see the counselor when needed with the Request to See the Counselor form. Attached is the video shared to google classrooms for grades 3-6 showing the process Request to See the Counselor Video. 

Parents, please see the Parent Welcome Back to School Counselor Letter.

Welcome Back to a New School Year!!!

This year I will continue providing lessons to classrooms using each grade level format. I will also be posting morning announcements that include the Pledge of Allegiance, lunch menu, birthdays, a staff highlight, and a morning words of wisdom. Due to content, these will be posted only to classroom pages (i.e., google classroom or SeaSaw) and not on the public Barnette Counseling website. Elearning students will have a counselor google classroom to access lessons and morning announcements. 

I am looking forward to another year working with our wonderful Barnette community! 

April 27 – May 1: Lessons this week are on the topic of Resilience. People who are resilient are able to bounce back after dealing with difficult situations or circumstances. Our entire community has been dealing with adversity recently. But dealing with difficulties is not new; we have all faced tough times and need to remind ourselves how we might stay positive and be resilient. Each lesson has a video or read aloud option and a few worksheet/activities to help work on building resiliency and practicing our coping skills:  Primary K-1st Resilience Lesson learn with Howard B. Wigglebottom, Second Grade Resilience Lesson and Intermediate (3rd-5th) Resilience Lesson learn with Arthur, and Middle School (6th-8th) Resilience Lesson have other inspirational videos. Think about the age and developmental level of your child when sharing this information.

April 20 – April 24: Lessons this week are on the topic of Gratitude. Gratitude is the ability to be thankful for the good things, people, and places in our lives. What you might not know is that gratitude is good for us. People who feel and express gratitude tend to feel happier. At times like this we may not feel much gratitude, but focusing on even the little things we appreciate can help us feel better. Each lesson has a few video options and a few worksheet/activities to help work on focusing on gratitude throughout the week: Primary Gratitude Lesson April 20-24 (K-2nd), Intermediate Gratitude Lesson April 20-24 (3rd-5th), and Middle School Gratitude Lesson April 20-24 (6th-8th). Think about the age and developmental level of your child when sharing this information.

April 13 – April 17: Lessons this week are on the topic of Mindfulness. Being mindful means being in the present and giving your full attention to something. We all can easily get caught up in the past or thinking about the future, so teaching your mind to slow down and notice what we are doing will take some practice. All the lessons have 3 video options to explain and practice mindfulness techniques in ways that are developmentally appropriate to the age ranges of primary (K-2^nd), intermediate (3^rd-5^th), and middle school (6^th-8^th) – Primary Mindfulness Lesson April 13-17, Intermediate Mindfulness Lesson April 13-17, and Middle School Mindfulness Lesson April 13-17. Each lesson also includes some mindfulness coloring sheets as another way to practice being in the present. Think about the age and developmental level of your child when sharing this information.

April 6 – April 10: Lessons this week are on the topic of Team work. During this pandemic, each of us is part of a team trying to keep our communities safe. Although not seeing family and friends can be tough, we each need to do our part and each of us is a valuable team member. The primary (K-2) students will watch a video called Teamwork and Togo – that lesson be found here: Primary Teamwork Lesson April 6-10. The intermediate (3rd – 5th) and middle school lessons (6th – 8th) will also discuss teamwork – those can be found here: Intermediate Teamwork Lesson April 6-10, and Middle School Teamwork Lesson April 6-10. Think about the age and developmental level of your child when sharing this information. Although we are not all in the same location, we are still a Barnette team, and now, more than ever we are a team working together to keep each other safe.

March 30 – April 3: First week back to school and students have many questions about why schools are closed and concerns about the coronavirus. Lessons this week are helping to provide information to our students regarding the virus and discussing appropriate measures we can do to help curb the spread. The primary (K-2) lesson can be found here: Primary Lesson March30-April3, the intermediate lesson here: Intermediate Lesson March 30-April 3, and the middle school lesson here: Middle School Lesson - March 30-April 3. Think about the age and developmental level of your child when sharing this information with your child.

Counseling lessons and services will continue while school is closed. A letter will be emailed to the parents, but I have also attached it here: School Counselor Parent Letter

March 9 - March 27: Extended Spring Break Closure

March 2 – March 6: This week the last few classes (6^th and Elterman’s 4^th grade) discussed things we do to stay safe in the school and reviewed the components of ALICE – Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate. Emphasis is in making informed choices in order to keep students safe in any type of threat situation including fires earthquakes, or a dangerous someone in the building. Ms. Newsom’s 1^st grade and Ms. Potter’s 2^nd grade learned we need to appreciate all abilities – no matter how small or different they may be. Ms. Dallaire’s kindergarten class learned about being Trustworthy. Ms. Carrington’s kindergarten, Ms. Storm’s 1^st grade, Ms. Lesneski’s 2^nd grade and Ms. Witte’s 4^th grade discussed balancing one’s screen time with other activities over spring break, and watched Faux Paw Goes to the Games.

February 24 – February 28: This week most classes (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 5^th, 7^th and 8^th) discussed things we do to stay safe in the school and reviewed the components of ALICE – Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate. Emphasis is in making informed choices in order to keep students safe in any type of threat situation including fires earthquakes, or a dangerous someone in the building. Ms. Dallaire’s kindergarten learned we need to appreciate all abilities – no matter how small or different they may be, whereas Ms. Carrington’s class learned about being Trustworthy.

February 17 – February 21: There were few lessons this week due to President’s day and parent teacher conferences. Kindergartens first and second grade talked about how everyone has talents, and we need to appreciate all abilities – no matter how small or different they may be. Ms. Elterman’s 4th grade learned about the importance of honesty and not taking things that do not belong to you – they read Ricky Sticky Fingers; Ms. Witte’s 4th grade discussed things we do to stay safe in the school and reviewed the components of ALICE – Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate.

February 10 – February 14: Ms. Carrington’s kindergarten, Ms. Storm’s first grade, and Ms. Lesneski’s second grade learned to appreciate the talents of all people .  Ms. Potter’s 2nd grade talked about the importation of not cheating and watched Auto B. Good – Cheaters U-Turn; Ms. Storm’s 1^st grade learned about being a good loser and watched The Wumblers video - Better than Best; Ms. McGee’s 3^rd grade learned about the importance of honesty and not taking things that do not belong to you – they read Ricky Sticky Fingers; Ms. Harrod’s seventh/eighth grades discussed point of view and how different people may see the same situation from different vantage points, so try and see the full picture before jumping to conclusions – they read The Blind Man and the Elephant

February 3 – February 7: Kindergarten, 1st grade, and Ms. Lesneski’s 2nd grade talked about the importation of not cheating and watched Auto B. Good – Cheaters U-Turn; Ms. Casady’s 3^rd grade and Ms. Witte’s 4^th grade learned about the importance of not taking things that do not belong to you and read Ricky Sticky Fingers; Ms. Elterman’s fourth grade and Meierotto’s fifth grade discussed perseverance and read Thank you Mr. Faulker; Ms. Lammer’s sixth grade and Ms. Larson’s seventh/eighth grades discussed point of view and how different people may see the same situation from different vantage points, so try and see the full picture before jumping to conclusions – they read The Blind Man and the Elephant

January 27 – January 31: Kindergarten ; first and second grades learned about the important of honesty and not taking things that do not belong to you – they read Ricky Sticky Fingers; Mr. Marsh’s fifth grade discussed perseverance and read Thank you Mr. Faulker; Ms. Jordan’s sixth grade and Ms. Heminger’s seventh/eighth grades discussed point of view and how different people may see the same situation from different vantage points, so try and see the full picture before jumping to conclusions – they read The Blind Man and the Elephant

January 20 – January 24: Kindergarten and first grade continued to discuss perseverance and watch the Wumblers video I Quit. Third grades and Ms. Witte’s fourth grade also discussed perseverance and read Thank you Mr. Faulker. Second grades discussed the importance of following rules and what could happen if people did not – they read That Rule Doesn’t Apply to Me!  Mr. Marsh’s fifth grade read the book Trouble Talk and discussed the problems with spreading rumors, gossiping and/or getting into other people’s business. We discussed what to do when we hear trouble talk. Larson’s class completed the third Safer Smarter Teens video on grooming and boundaries in relationships.

January 13 – January 17: Perseverance was the topic for K-2. After talking about goals last week, classes discussed how to continue working towards one’s goals even when it can be tough. Kindergarten read The Little Engine that Could and discussed the Itsy Bitsy Spider. First grade read Rosie Revere the Engineer or Brave Irene, and second grade read Thank you Mr. Faulker. Ms. Elterman’s fourth grade and Ms. Meierotto’s fifth grade read the book Trouble Talk and discussed the problems with spreading rumors, gossiping and/or getting into other people’s business. We discussed what to do when we hear trouble talk. Harrod’s class completed the third Safer Smarter Teens video on grooming and boundaries in relationships.

January 6 – January 10: This week we returned from winter break and grades K-2 talked about starting fresh and making New Years Resolutions to reach our goals. Classes used the book Squirrels New Years Resolution and discussed what we might want to do differently or try out this quarter either at home or at school. Third and Ms. Witte’s fourth grades read the book Trouble Talk and discussed the problems with spreading rumors, gossiping and/or getting into other people’s business. We discussed what to do when we hear trouble talk. Heminger’s class completed the third Safer Smarter Teens video on grooming and boundaries in relationships.

December 16 – December 20: This week there were few counseling lessons as classes were preparing for winter break. Lessons were completed in Dallaire’s kindergarten, Newsom’s 1^st grade, and Potters 2^nd grade to finish up the discussion on jealousy.

December 9 – December 13: This week Carrington’s kindergarten, Storm’s 1^st grade, Lesneski’s 2^nd grade, and Witte’s 4^th grade talked about the topic of jealousy. They looked at how jealousy is particularly prevalent around the holidays – one can be jealous of things, accomplishments, travel, time spent with others, etc. We discussed options for what to do when have jealous feelings. The either watched a Sesame Street video on jealousy or The Berenstain Bears and the Green Eyed Monster. Third grade will watch Wise Owl’s Drug Safety video titled What is a Drug. It discusses how people might have pressure from their peers to use alcohol or tobacco products, but that it is not cool to go along with those choices.

December 2 – December 6: This week kindergarten and first grades discussed using positive thoughts and read Leo the Lightning Bug. second grades will finish up the Weird, Tough, Dare series with the book Dare and will complete the Bully Blockers worksheet. Third grades discuss bullying with the book The Bully Blockers Club. And March’s 5^th grade read The Juice Box Bully.

November 25 – November 27: There were few counseling lessons this week due to the Thanksgiving break. Dallaire’s kindergarten talked about being thankful and read The Thank You Book and watched a Sesame Street video on thankfulness; Lesneski’s 2^nd grade read This is the Turkey and watched Rocket Kids Practicing Gratitude; and Meierotto’s 5^th grade read The Juice Box Bully. We will finish up the bullying lessons next week.

November 18 – November 22: Kindergarten through second grade will continue learning about bullying.  Kindergarteners will watch Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns about Bullies, first graders will read Betty Lou Blue, and second graders will read the second book in the series - Tough. The fourth grade classes and will read The Juice Box Bully. The sixth grade classes will discuss Red Ribbon Week and become more aware of the negative aspects of drugs and/or alcohol use. They will watch Wise Owl’s Drug Safety video titled What is a Drug. It discusses how people might have pressure from their peers to use alcohol or tobacco products, but that it is not cool to go along with those choices. Harrod’s 7^th/8^th grade homeroom will complete the Safer Smarter Teens lesson on balance of power.

November 11 – November 15: Kindergarten through second grade will be learning about bullying and what someone can do when they are bullied or they see someone being bullied. Kindergarteners will read The Three Bully Goats, first graders Chester Racoon and the Big Bad Bully, and second graders will start the Weird, Tough, Dare series with the book Weird. Elterman’s fourth and Meierotto’s fifth grade class will discuss Red Ribbon Week and become more aware of the negative aspects of drugs and/or alcohol use. They will watch Wise Owl’s Drug Safety video titled What is a Drug. It discusses how people might have pressure from their peers to use alcohol or tobacco products, but that it is not cool to go along with those choices. Larsons 7^th/8^th grade homeroom will discuss perseverance with Ms. Larson (Ms. Cook will be away at the Alaska School Counselor Association conference).

November 4 – November 8: Kindergarten through second grade will be discussing honesty and the importance of telling the truth. Kindergartens will watch Howard B. Wigglebottom and the Monkey on His Back, first graders will read Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie, and second graders will watch The Bernestain Bears and the Truth. Third graders will complete their safer smarter kids lesson learning about body boundaries and personal space. Fourth and fifth grades will discuss Red Ribbon Week and become more aware of the negative aspects of drugs and/or alcohol use. They will watch Wise Owl’s Drug Safety video titled What is a Drug. It discusses how people might have pressure from their peers to use alcohol or tobacco products, but that it is not cool to go along with those choices. The first seventh/eighth grade homeroom will complete the second Safer Smarter Teens lesson on fitting in and acceptance.

October 28 – November 1st: No counseling this week due to Counselor training and Parent Teacher Conferences

October 21 – October 25: Lessons this will mostly be surrounding Red Ribbon week – a time when parents and youth in communities across the country wear Red Ribbons as a symbol of their commitment to raise awareness of the destruction cause by drugs and/or alcohol in America. Kindergarteners will watch a short video from the Poison Control Center titled Stop Ask First. It highlights getting permission before smelling, touching, or picking up items that may be harmful – such as floor cleaners or medicines. First and second grades will watch the video Wise Owl’s Drug Safety video titled Is That Good For Me. It discusses how choices, such as what to eat and when to go to bed, can affect the mind and body, either positively or negatively. It also introduces the concept of dangerous substances like alcohol and tobacco, and emphasizes the positive effects of healthy decisions in relation to social skills and friendship. Third graders will complete their safer smarter kids lesson learning about body boundaries and personal space. Fourth graders learn about the right to identity and then review all the kids bill of rights – safety, voice, respect, and identity – and the responsibility that comes with those rights. Fifth grades learn about body boundaries and the warning signs for the process of grooming. The third seventh/eighth grade homeroom begin Safer Smarter Teens and learn about Erin’s Law, self-esteem and personal power.

October 14 – October 18: K-2nd, 4th and 6th grades, and one 5th grade, will complete their final safer smarter kids lesson. Kindergarteners learn about the difference between tattling and reporting – reporting involves a threat to safety, while tattling is a complaint about someone else’s behavior that doesn’t involve safety. First graders review all the safety tools - safety stop sign, I Mean Business Voice, TFA, Secret Star, Speak Bubble, stranger decider, and the trusted triangle. Second graders also review safety rules – PLAN, safety goggles, secrets gauge, lock and key, safety barometer, and cyber citizen permit. Fourth graders learn about the right to identity and then review all the kids bill of rights – safety, voice, respect, and identity – and the responsibility that comes with those rights. Fifth grades learn about body boundaries and the warning signs for the process of grooming. Sixth graders watch the video You Are in Charge of Your Body and learn about body boundaries and the No, Go, Tell process. Books: Lauren’s Kingdom, Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept, Not in Room 204

October 7 – October 11: K-2nd grades will complete their fourth safer smarter kids lesson, while 3rd will complete their combined second/third lesson, and 5th graders learn about privacy. Kindergarteners learn about safe and unsafe secrets – safe secrets will eventually be told and make everyone happy, while unsafe secrets make you feel confused, icky or scared, and that you are told not to share. First graders learn about the difference between tattling and reporting – reporting involves a threat to safety, while tattling is a complaint about someone else’s behavior that doesn’t involve safety. Second graders learn about cyber safety and rules for being a good digital citizen, while third graders also learn about internet safety. Fifth grades learn about privacy and complete their Safety Network. The second seventh/eighth grade homeroom begin Safer Smarter Teens and learn about Erin’s Law, self-esteem and personal power.

September 30 – October 4: K-2nd grades will complete their third safer smarter kids lesson, while 4th-6th will begin their combined third/fourth or just their third. Kindergarteners and first graders learn about safe and unsafe touches and private parts – those areas covered by your swimsuit. Safe touches make us feel happy and comfortable while unsafe touches make us feel confused, uncomfortable or icky. If you have an unsafe touch, then one should tell someone in their Trusted Triangle until they are helped and heard. First grade also discussed safe and unsafe secrets. Second grade learn about body boundaries and privacy, while fourth grades learn about the right to respect and safety including body boundaries, personal space, and privacy. They also complete their Safety Network Worksheet. Fifth and sixth grades also learn about privacy and complete their Safety Network. The first seventh/eighth grade homeroom begin Safer Smarter Teens and learn about Erin’s Law, self-esteem and personal power.

September 23 - 27: K-2nd grades will complete their second safer smarter kids lesson this week, while 3rd-6th may have finished their first and second combined lesson if they did not meet last week. Kindergarten will complete their Trusted Triangle, learned about strangers and how to examine a situation by thinking, feeling, and acting (TFA). First graders learn about their guiding voice and also how to use TFA. Second grade learn to make a PLAN before they go places and how to determine if a secret is safe or unsafe. Third grade has their initial lesson about being a good citizen and will complete their Trusted Triangle. Fourth graders will learn about having a voice and determining their Safety Network. Fifth and Sixth grades look at finding the courage to resist peer pressure, how to utilize a problem-solution chart, and making a Cyber PLAN.

As with the younger grades, the Alaska Safe Children’s Act mandates schools to provide safety lessons to middle school students. Our district selected the Safer Smarter Teens curriculum. The lessons include topics such as self-esteem and personal power, fitting in and acceptance, grooming and boundaries, getting help, and staying safe in the virtual world. To learn more about this program you can go the FNSBSD website https://www.k12northstar.org/Page/8857 or visit the Safer Smarter Teens website at https://safersmarterteens.org/education/middle-school/ Lessons will begin the week of October 4th. Letters went home to parents, but are also available here: Middle School Parent Letter

September 16 - 20: Initial personal safety lessons will occur in K-2nd, and 4^th-6^th grades. Discussion focuses on identifying people who can be in their Trusted Triangle/Safety Network – someone they can talk to at school and/or home if a concern arises. Younger grades discussed the importance of rules and tools to use when they may feel unsafe, such as the Safety Stop Sign and their I Mean Business Voice. Older grades also discuss their Safety Barometer and how to first Think about the issue, determine how it makes them Feel, and then Act accordingly (TFA). Fifth and sixth grades looked at finding the courage to resist peer pressure, how to utilize a problem-solution chart, and making a Cyber PLAN (gain Permission when on-line; only go to safe Locations, only do Activities they are allowed, and never give your Name on-line. Lessons will continue the next few weeks.

September 9 - 13: Continued to discuss how one’s own attitude and kindness affects themselves and others around them. Children learn that in order to have friends they must learn how to be a friend, and discussed the keys to makeing a keeping friends. Older students will learn how small acts of kindness can affect others and to THINK before they speak or act (Is it True? Is it Helpful? Is it Inspiring? Is it Necessary? Is it Kind?). Books Read or Videos Watched: Harold B. Wigglebottom Learns We Can All Get Along, Rainbow Fish, Making Friends is an Art, Each Kindness

September 2 - 6: Discuss how one’s own attitude and kindness affects themselves and others around them. Children learn that in order to have friends they must learn how to be a friend. Older students will learn how small acts of kindness can affect others and to THINK before they speak or act (Is it True? Is it Helpful? Is it Inspiring? Is it Necessary? Is it Kind?). Books Read: Rainbow Fish, Making Friends is an Art, Each Kindness

The Alaska Safe Children’s Act mandates schools to provide certain safety lessons to students in Kindergarten through the 12^th grade. Our district selected from the vetted curricula and chose to make available the Safer, Smarter Kids curriculum for use in elementary and middle schools. The lessons include general safety and smart choices as well as personal safety and body boundaries. It is a comprehensive safety program. To learn more about this program you can go to https://safersmarterkids.org/ or feel free to make an appointment to come in and view materials at the school. These lessons will begin in K-6th grades the week of September 16th. Letters went home to parents, but are also available here: K-2nd grade parent letter 3rd-6th grade parent letter

August 26 - 30: Discuss how to see the counselor when needed. Explain the counseling referral process and help students determine the different levels of concerns they might have: small, medium, large, or critical. Book Read: Mrs. Joyce Gives the Best High Fives.

August 19 - 24: Introduction to the new counselor and the role of the counselor in the school. All classes discussed that the counselor will do life skills lessons in each grade either weekly (K-2), every other week (3-6), or every 3 weeks (7-8). The counselor may also meet with individuals or small groups of students when a particular issue is impacting them - for example deployment, family separation, grief and loss, etc.