Counselor's Corner

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January 2012

Our character education program for Kindergarten through 2^nd grade students is focused on foundational skills.  We are working on respect, kindness, friendship, cooperation, tolerance, and listening skills, along with studying bullying and helping each student understand their responsibility to stand against it.

Our character education program for 3^rd through 5^th grade this year at Horizon Elementary is centered on Dr. Kenneth Gisburg’s 7 C’s in “BUILDING RESILIENCE” in our students, staff, their families, and our community.  Resilience is the capacity to rise above difficult circumstances, the trait that allows us to exist in this less-than-perfect world while moving forward with optimism and confidence even in the midst of adversity. Each of our lessons have been based on one of the necessary ingredients needed in order to develop our Resilience. So far we have studied –

COMPETENCE – the ability to know-how to handle situations effectively. It is not a vague feeling or hunch that “I think I can do this.” Competence is acquired through actual experience. It allows a person to trust their judgments, make responsible choices, and face difficult situations.

CONFIDENCE – True confidence is the solid belief in one’s own abilities. Confidence is rooted in competence. Children gain confidence by demonstrating their competence in real situations. Confidence is not warm-and-fuzzy self-esteem that supposedly results from just telling kids they’re special. Children who experience their own competence and know they are safe and protected develop a deep-seated security that promotes the confidence to face and cope with challenges.

CONNECTION – Children with close ties to family, friends, school, and community are more likely to have a solid sense of security that produces strong values and prevents them from seeking destructive alternatives. Family is the central force in any child’s life, but connections to civic, educational, religious, and athletic groups can also increase a young person’s sense of belonging to a wider world and being safe within it.

Our year will continue with the study of CHARACTER, CONTRIBUTION, COPING, and CONTROL. Children are naturally resilient.  Our job as adults is to allow resilience to continue to foster and grow in them. 

Jeana James

Horizon Elementary School Counselor