Dear Longfellow Family,
Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year at Longfellow Elementary School! I am very excited to join the Longhorn Herd and I hope you are too. This year brings both excitement as well as challenges. It is important to note that the Family Resource Director position will not be continuing at Longfellow this year. Therefore, I will only be returning to Longfellow as a half time school counselor. I am extremely honored to continue to be a part of Longfellow, yet it will be challenging to be in the building less. My hours will be Tuesdays and Wednesdays as well as half of the day on Thursdays.
As a school counselor, I am focused on advocating for the students. I consider personal/social, academic, and future planning when meeting with students individually, in small groups, or in classroom guidance. During the first week of school I will be explaining the role of a school counselor to students as well as giving a tour of my room. We will continue to learn about the “I-Care Lessons”, expressing feelings appropriately, stress management, conflict resolution, personal safety, and more. Also, the Steps to Respect Program will continue for the 3rd-6th graders. The Steps to Respect Program is designed to prevent bullying; the Longfellow staff has been trained how to respond when students report bullying behaviors. Please look for more newsletters throughout the year, and visit my blog at: counselingandfrc.blogspot.com.
Attached to this newsletter you will find a brochure which describes school counseling in more detail. Also attached is a survey that I hope you will take time to complete.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Nicole Schmidt
School Counselor
