Coffee with the Counselors Nichols-Lawson Middle School DeAsia McNeal, M.Ed., NCC Abby Whitfield, M.Ed., NCC

The Mission of Sylacauga City Schools, In partnership with families and the community, is to prepare graduates who are ready for college, career, and community success.

Mission Statement The mission of Nichols-Lawson Middle School Counseling Program is to provide high quality, comprehensive school counseling services to all students. Our program will support and encourage the academic, personal/social, and career development of all students to ensure that they are ready for college, career, and community success.

Vision The vision of the NLMS school counseling program is to provide diverse and developmentally appropriate opportunities for students to become academically successful, capable, self-reliant and resourceful. The program aims to provide students with a smooth transition from elementary to middle school and middle to high school. The program builds collaboration with parents, teachers, and other stakeholders to enhance the potential for every student’s postsecondary success.

Our Vision for Coffee With the Counselors Informal, discussion based sessions where we can learn from each other and discover how we can best help the students of NLMS. We would love feedback, communication, and personal stories in order to make our program thrive here at NLMS. Needs Assessment for future topics!

The Role of a Counselor To provide individual counseling and student planning. To provide career education. To provide large group guidance and psychoeducation. To help prevent problems from developing. To form a partnership between the school and the surrounding community for the well-being of our students, parents, as well as our faculty and staff.

Accessing Grades Step 1: Go to district website http://www.sylacauga .k12.al.us/ Step 2: Select Parents & Students

Accessing Grades Step 3: Select iNow Parent Portal Log-In

Accessing Grades Step 4: Login with Username & Password *If you do not have this information please see front office staff

Social Emotional Learning Social emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children are taught the skills to understand and manage emotions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqNn9qWoO1M

Ready to Learn Wrap around support for the whole child Root causes that prohibit learning Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Definition of Bullying Verbal, physical, or emotional harm from one student to another Recurring instances, happens over time An imbalance of power (size or popularity) Sometimes students can mistake drama and fighting for bullying, so it’s important to make the definition as clear and concise as possible.

Facts about Bullying According to the National Education Association, 160,000 students miss school every day because they are afraid of being targeted and bullied. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 3.2 million students report being bullied every year. Most kids who are being bullied will not disclose the identity of the bullies for fear of it getting worse.

Warning Signs Withdrawn Loss of friends Drop in grades Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities A need for extra money or supplies Not eating lunch at school

How to Help Teacher Principal Bullying Report Nonviolent strategies (Walking away, finding other friends, trying to talk it out) Activities outside of school can provide a different circle of friends

Be on the lookout for future dates! THANK YOU Be on the lookout for future dates!