Counselor's Corner
Welcome to Counselors Corner!
Each week during the school year, a bit of insight from our school counselor, Mary Twitchel, will be posted. Please come back and visit often to read pertinent insight about topics that affect your PPE student as they make their way through elementary school.
Personal Safety Program
I will be visiting your child’s classroom over the next two months to teach a personal safety program called
Safe@Last. This program focuses on equipping children with the skills they need to stay safe. Kindergarten lessons include topics on Safe People, Strangers and Safe & Unsafe Touches. First grade lessons teach about Assertiveness, Being Lost in the Store, Safe & Unsafe Touches and Secrets. Second grade lessons include Choice & Consequences, Home Alone Safety, and Safe & Unsafe Touches. Third grade topics cover Safe & Unsafe Secrets, Gun Safety, Safe People and Disclosure. Fourth grade covers Safe & Unsafe People and Steps to Personal Safety. This is an award winning, Metro approved curriculum that is used by the majority of metro elementary schools. All lessons are age-appropriate. I wanted you to be aware of this information so that you can discuss these topics with your student at home.
Thanks,
Mary Twitchel, School Counselor
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Every year the students at Percy Priest collect spare change for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. “Pennies for Patients’ will be kicked off on Monday, October 5th and run through Thursday, October 15th, with all money going to benefit children with Leukemia. As I visit every class for guidance over the next few weeks, we will be discussing this important cause. I always encourage the children to look in places like the couch cushions for dropped change and to always ask permission before bringing any money from home. The class raising the most money will win a special party to be held after fall break. Last year, the winning class conducted a Saturday yard sale for the cause and raised over $600! Parents are welcome to write checks that will count toward the class goal (checks made payable to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society).
This year students may purchase a Paper Penny for $2.00. This penny will have the child’s name on it, and it will be posted on the wall outside my door. Our third grade classes conduct this campaign as a competition between the boys and the girls and the rules will be explained to them in the classroom. This fundraiser is special to us, and it is a great opportunity for your student to learn how contributing even the smallest amount can help in a big way.
Thanks for your support during this time!
Mary Twitchel
What you DO is Monumental:
We spend a lot of our time at home and school talking to our children about doing the right thing. Part of figuring out what the “right” thing is means looking at the consequences of our words and behaviors. Will anyone be hurt if I do this? Is this a safe thing to do? Often, however, we forget to model that same trait we are looking to produce in our children. We often take shortcuts in our lives even if it’s the wrong thing to do when we are in a hurry, need to get out of a situation or whatever excuse we can find to justify our convenience. Actions really do speak louder than words when it comes to children. You are foundational to your child’s values and emotions. What you say is important but what you DO is monumental. If you don’t want your child to be anxious, you have to step back and ask yourself, “How am I contributing to the anxiety or am I the one modeling anxiety?” You are teaching your children all the time with every word, deed and emotion. I know it’s a heavy responsibility, and you’re certainly not going to get it right all the time. Talk to your children when you make a mistake. Point it out to them, and have a discussion about why it happened and what you can do better next time.
Hoping your weekend is restful and happy,
Mary Twitchel
School Counselor
About our School Counselor:
Our school counselor provides a wide variety of services for the students and staff, including whole class, small, specialized group, and individual counseling. Her programs include conflict resolution, no bullying, and Safe At Last, a program to help prevent child abduction and abuse. In addition, she coordinates all Student Support Team meetings, organizes the 3rd grade Child Find program to identify gifted students, and serves as principal designee in the principal's absence. She regularly offers guidance and support to students at Percy Priest, as well as parents and staff members.
