School Counselors Make a Difference!

When we envision a school counselor, we often think of a person who helps fill out scholarship forms, plan a class schedule or helps a student experiencing some difficulty in their lives. Today’s school counselors perform these activities and much more. They assist students with social-emotional skills, academic planning, crisis interventions as well as providing support to their fellow staff members.

Winona Middle School (WMS) counselors provide support to all students in 5th through 8th grade. During this time, middle school-aged students experience changes both developmentally and physically. It can be a difficult time and counselors can help students understand themselves, prepare them for transitions and teach them core skills that will be lifelong.

The transition from elementary to middle school can be scary but yet exciting for students. WMS counselors’ mission is to help students make a smooth transition and welcome them with open arms to the middle school. In March, the WMS principal and counselors visit each 4th-grade class to talk through changes and smooth transitions that will occur when entering 5th grade. Examples include: switching classes, having several teachers, and maintaining classroom expectations, homework responsibilities and an organized locker. Students are introduced to the Where Everyone Belongs (WEB) mentor program. In May, all 4th-grade students visit the middle school to tour the building and have the opportunity to ask questions of current middle school students. During the first week of school, the WEB leaders guide their 5th-grade students by helping them with the lockers and answering any questions they may have. Students establish a relationship that helps ease the transition and provide a warm welcome to their new school.

When new families move into the district, one of the first people they meet is a school counselor. Families are provided a school tour, an opportunity to provide information about their student and the student meets with a “first friend.” Families are also given information on events that are happening in the Winona community along with local resources to help ease the transition. New students are checked on daily the first week and again after two weeks and periodically as needed once they have transitioned.

Inside the classroom, counselors provide lessons based on anti-bullying, rumors, study skills, test taking skills, anxiety, suicide awareness, mindfulness, and stress-reducing techniques.  Each lesson provides opportunities to learn how to react socially and emotionally along with providing organization skills.

Counselors at each educational level have important roles that vary by age and student to student. They all are the heart of a school and provide support to students, families, and staff. The week of February 4th is National Counselors Week; please take the time to thank a counselor for their support in our schools and communities.