This week we celebrated National School Counseling Week. This week is designed to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors across U.S. school systems as well as highlight the tremendous impact school counselors have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
School counselors are certified, experienced educators, and the combination of their training and experience makes them an integral part of the total educational program.
We at Southeast Polk, of course, have the BEST SCHOOL COUNSELORS AROUND! They work with students to help them realize their abilities, strengths, interests, and talents. They partner with parents and the community, and they work with teachers and other educators to develop positive ways to enhance students' academic, postsecondary, and social-emotional development.
If you have not done so already, please thank a counselor today for all they do to support the educational program at Southeast Polk.
On the social-emotional level, Amy Anderson, our district At-Risk Coordinator, worked with Andrea McGee's (HS business teacher) Rise class, a project-based learning course. Her request as a client was to make available some calming resources online. The Rise students have now created our own Southeast Polk Virtual Calming Room!
This Calming Room was created by Brome Churchill, Zachary DeLawyer, Grace Gustafson, Dakota Haubach, and Abigail Risius, all students of SEP Rise. SEP Rise is a class that allows students to work with business partners to create an experience for all. SEP Rise includes five college credits in the first semester of the class and three college credits for the second semester. SEP Rise can help anyone going in any field, but helps out business majors the most.
This site has links to fun and calming videos, games, and mindfulness exercises for students. It also lists helpful resources such as our Student Assistance Program. The students did a great job on this. They even visited the Animal Rescue League and created cute videos of animals there.
The students from the SEP Rise class did tremendous work on this, so we invite you to check it out and use it with students, families, and even for yourself!
