Welcome to Mrs. Manno's Counselor Corner!

Role of the School Counselor:

To promote positive development for all students academically and socio-emotionally. What does that mean? I actively work to ensure that the students achieve academically through collaboration with stakeholders (teachers, administrators, parents, special services, related service providers and community resource providers) and acquire the necessary coping skills needed. Specific topics I make a point to address each year are the following: bullying, conflict resolution, conflict management, self-esteem, and fostering a sense of community.

What I do:

o Individual counseling

o Small group counseling

o Classroom counseling lessons

o Observe students in various school environments

o Consult and collaborate with parents, teachers, administrators, and students

o Respond to school crises or emergency situations

o Provide information and resources to parents on a variety of issues

Highlights of the in Classroom Counseling Lessons:

o How To Fill Your Bucket: Students Will Be Able To (SWBAT) identify the difference between bucket filling and bucket dipping. Each student is empowered to take on the mission of being a bucket filler, someone who is positive, kind and caring.

o A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue: SWABT distinguishes between tattling and reporting. Each student is empowered to be a "Danger Ranger", "A Problem Solver", and determine if the problem needs to be addressed immediately or later.

o Cooperation: SWABT acknowledges what cooperation is....TEAMWORK. Through role-playing and interactive activities, students can transfer skills used during the lesson into everyday life.

Bullying Versus Conflict

Bullying is a persistent pattern of unwelcome or aggressive behavior that often involves an imbalance of power, and the intention is to harm or humiliate someone.

Conflict is generally a disagreement or difference in opinion between peers who typically have equal power in their relationships. It's usually an inevitable part of a group dynamic.

Read the example below to determine if it is an example of bullying or conflict...

Two students (a boy and girl) on the co-ed school basketball team are arguing with each other over the loss of a recent game. One of the student players is blaming the other for letting the opposing team knock the ball out of his hands before she can throw it. The other teammate is saying it's the other teammate's fault because she didn't pass the ball to him during the last few seconds of the game. They continue to fight until their coach gets involved and tells the players to stop arguing. This is an example of conflict. Both players have equal power and disagree over the outcome of a game. Neither is threatened or harmed, and neither is showing signs of humiliation or distress.

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