What are you up to? Do weekends feel like they use to? They don’t for me , but I’m curious about you. It’s the weekend what are you up to these days?
It’s The Weekend
Category: School Counsellors School Counselling
Friday Nights
If you are an educator you know Friday nights you just want to get in your jammies and chill.
So go ahead and do just that!
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All It Takes Is A Defining Moment
For Desmond Tutu meeting Trevor Huddleston determined the path of his life. In my own life there are many defining moments that led me to who I am today. Teachers, coaches , community members and a School Counsellor had an impact.
In grade 12 (1976) my School Counsellor Mrs. Brown gave me $100.00 towards my post secondary education. My family could not afford to pay my way. I was the first in my family to go to University so it was certainly a big deal. I did not realize at the time just how much money that was or even how incredible it was that she did that. What a gift and an impact she had on the trajectory of my life. A lacrosse scholarship and a bursary ( both recommended by community members) paid for all four years of my Bachelor of Child Study degree. How fortunate was I ?
I never underestimate the power of a small (albeit grand) gesture in forming who we are and what we choose to do in our lives. I intentionally make sure each day I work with students I keep that in mind. I intentionally pay it forward on as many occasions as I can.
All it takes is a defining moment and you might be the one that makes that happen and if someone makes that happen for you tell them.
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My Latest Favourite Resources
Resources can help make life easier for a School Counsellor.
Here are a few of my favourites nd i’ll post a few more tomorrow:
Canva for educators
Livebinders
I love all the things you can do with livebinders
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Dancing and Singing With A Mask
Second Chants is different for sure this year, but the people who have planned and organized it have done an outstanding job. It was still fun and choreo in person physically distanced was excellent. Singing with a mask is more difficult, but still fabulous to hear other voices in this amazing show choir. So much to be thankful for in this pandemic and second chants and the leaders continue to inspire me with their dedication and commitment to making this a wonderful experience for all.
Love singing and dancing , feel free to join us.
Here is a sample of a time when we did not have to wear masks.
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Rekindling An Awareness of Possibilities
I am choosing to work this year as I want to help as much as possible during this time. The possibilities to affect a young mind are limitless. So if I am able to make a small difference, then that is what I will do during the pandemic.
Yes, it is safer to stay home and not do anything, but that is not me. I am rekindling my awareness of the many possibilities to be helpful.
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Youth Champions and Just for Today
Our youth champions shared their thoughts on Just for Today at our year end celebration online last school year. A lot of wisdom in here. Enjoy !
Stephen Becker : Just for today, I am going to work in my backyard and stay open to connecting with my kids whenever they come by.
Shawn Daniher : Just for today I am living in the moment rather than thinking about what I have to do tomorrow.
Sarah Lappin : Just for today I will prioritize doing things that make me smile
Deb Ingram : Just for today I will stop watching the clock
Kara-Leah Gonty : Just for today I will trust the process and live in the moment
Lauren Warner : Just for today, I’m going to take some for self care, go for a walk with my dog and breathe in the sunshine 🙂
Just for today, I am going to express my gratitude for those I love while I have the chance.
Melanie : Just for Today, I will enjoy this moment of connecting with a new group of people!
Carson Henderson : Just for today, I will stay positive and stay in the moment 🙂
Mrs. Knecht : Just for today, I’ll take the happy with the hard and let them just happen… 🙂
Just for today I will take the time to do something small for myself.
Naomi : Just for today, I will not overthink the future and just enjoy the present moment.
Just for the day I am going to relax and focus on myself because work/ school has been busy.
Crystal Hartney : Just for today I will am going to not worry about tomorrow and savour all the blessings of today.
Vicky Smith : Just for today, I’m going to enjoy the day!
Noor : I will make sure I do something that makes me smile!
Chandni Meharu : Just for today … I would like to set everything down and reflect on myself and focus and try to time manage and be in the moment with my family 🙂
Madison : Just for today I’m going to enjoy the beautiful weather outside and forget about everything else.
Elaine : Just for today, I want to let go of my worries in what this pandemic might bring to all of us, and just focus on the great things it has brought to all of us.
Paige Anweiler : Just for today I will make sure that I take time to relax as well as school.
Just for today I won’t force myself to be as productive as I would have normally been and I will practice self-care.
Tanya Browne : Just for today I will be extra mindful.
Lori Devlin : Just for today I’m accepting I can’t do it all. My best effort is enough,
Jay Stewart : Just for today I’m enjoying the beautiful weather and going outside.
Marielle : Just for today I want to be less on social media.
Catherine Betancourt Lee : Just for today I am going to make sure to focus on self care!
LJFLOYD : I am going to tackle the task at hand and not get too far ahead of myself worrying about what else is on my “to do” list.
gabynuneznoguez : Just for today I will focus on my connections with my family and nature.
Rhwand : Just for today I will enjoy the beautiful weather outside and be grateful I have loving family and friends around me. During this pandemic I want to let go of my stress and worries and help people so I can make their day a little bit better.
Lorna Bright : Just for today I am enjoying this new experience! And try to not worry about everything I need to get done.
Heros Manrique : Just for today, I am going to take a moment to celebrate how far I’ve come these last couple of years and what Youth Champions has taught me!
Check out this great poem:
We Are Champions
I still see faces, but there not here anymore
I still hear voices, but not in my vicinity anymore, how is that possible?
How is it that this juxtaposition built upon my contradiction, as it envelops and contrasts my irony in that we are separated, but still close.
Though this quarantine has shackled, forced, and degraded us while simultaneously stripping us of freedom and confined us to our homes, we have hope … hope in a champion. A champion who fights, supports, a champion who defeats and surpasses all odds when everything was stacked against them! We are champions!
We are champions whether it’s up or down
We are champions
though we rise and fall
We are champions
through our collective wins and loses
We are champions
in the greatest of rejections
We are champions
in the most luscious of victories
We are champions
And let me say, even if we don’t make it to the next round doesn’t mean what we didn’t fight for is any less or any more doesn’t mean we have to give in to this disaster
and best believe that we have affected more lives than we could possibly imagine
We are champions through triumph and defeat
We are champions
No matter what happens or What the outcome is
We will forever be champions
– Jay Stewart Youth Champion CCAC
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Books to Help High School Students Navigate Life
I asked a few of my educator friends about a book they would recommend and here is the list. I’ll start with my favourite by Viktor Frankl. The rest are in no particular order.
1. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
2. Tuesdays With Morrie
3. Wherever You Go There You Are
4. The Alchemist
5. Make A Dash
6. The Hate You Give
7. Fountainhead
8. The Upside of Unrequited
9. The Total Money Makeover
10. A Child Called It
11. Make Your Bed
12. Everything I know I learned In Kindergarden
13. City of Joy
14. Don’t Throw Sand in The Sandbox
15. 1984
16. Grapes of Wrath
17. To Kill A Mockingbird
18. Do What You Are
19. Netsmart
20. Financial Peace University
What book would you recommend?
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You Put The Heart In School Counselling
As you begin this year you may have a School Counsellor you wish to acknowledge. please feel free to edit and use as you like.
You put the heart in School Counselling
It’s the students who matter to you
Thanks for being at ___________ this year
And doing what you do
School Counselling for you is a joy not a job
A gift, not an obligation
A place where you can be brave, not cowardly
A place you have found, not somewhere you can get lost
An open space, not a closed door
Somewhere to stand tall, not sit and waste time
A place to create hope, while listening to despair
Where you focus on encouraging, not discouraging
A place to build up, not tear down
A space to be present to those in need
School Counselling for you is a home away from home
Thanks for having the courage to tackle the hard stuff
Thanks for having the strength to help those students and families in need
Thanks for your dedication and commitment to our students and school community
For being thoughtful, kind, patient and caring
For helping in so many ways
For cheering up a students most distressing days
Thank you for all you have shared
Thank you for all you have given
For all that you are and all that you will be
You put the heart in School Counselling
It’s the students who matter to you
You make a difference
So continue to keep doing what you do
Susan Spellman Cann
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Always Do What Is In The Best Interest of The Child
It should be as simple as that when making decisions in schools. Maybe we need to ask that question more often.
Counsellor Talk : Connecting with those who want to make a difference. 