School Counseling Department

 

Get Used to Hearing RIASEC!  We are excited at Blackhawk to start exploring the World of Work!  This is an awesome way to learn about careers and interests!  BIS will be starting this exploration this year with 3rd grade, with the rest of the Elementary grades tackling this in earnest next year.  Mr. Abel will be also introducing this in Counseling lessons as we gear up for the Vehicle Career Fair in May!

What is World of Work?  World of Work is a career initiative that started in Cajon Valley San Diego. Duquesne City School District is partnering with three other Pittsburgh districts to provide students in Pennsylvania with real-world, relevant career opportunities.  World of Work provides early exposure and self awareness to career paths starting in our youngest grade levels.  This exposure is done by supporting the individualized needs of each student learner and matching their interests with career learning.  The four steps of World of Work include; Exploration, Simulation, Meet a Pro, and Practice.  In Exploration, students participate in an interest survey called the “RIASEC” survey. Once students receive their individualized results, students learn about new jobs in different industries.  They are given the opportunity to explore careers that they may not have known before.  During Simulation, hands-on experiences take place engaging students in activities they learned about during Exploration.  They broaden their knowledge with learning about necessary skills and values for different careers.  Meet a Pro allows for connections being made with students and people that are currently in those professions.  Real-life experiences are shared and students see the work they are interested in first-hand.  The final stage of Practice provides students with enough knowledge and exposure to take what they learned to practice through play, school projects, homework, socialization, and volunteer work!

We have had a busy year so far in the School Counseling Department at the Elementary Level.  Here is what has happened so far this year!

Getting Along Program for Kindergarten - This 5 week program is the help Kindergarten students learn basic ways to deal with problematice situations that occur at school.  Students learn about using "Put-ups" (manners, positive greetings, apology words and compliments), Listening Skills, Coping Skills when angry and to be a Courageous Cougar by learning to stand up for themselves.  Students finished homework assignments to show their understanding.  It is positive start in learning how to interact with their classmates.

Compromise - During November in Second Grade and December in First Grade, students will learn ways to compromise to solve problems with classmates, friends and even slblings! Second grade was assessed on what they know about compromise, including the definition of compromise.  Then students learn the 5 ways to compromise:  Taking Turns, Sharing, Finding Middle Ground (negotiation), Doing Something Else or by Voting.  Students also learn kid friendly ways to take turns. Second grade will role play in January situations where they can use compromise, and will be assessed again in March to see if they know at least 2 ways to compromise.  First grade will learn the basics of compromise combined with a review of the Getting Along rules.  The goal in the future is for all students to use compromise and other problem solving skills when dealing with confusing or difficult social situations.

Counseling Groups - So far, we have had students meet in groups in such topics as being a New Student at BIS, Kindergarten Success (social and behavioral skills), first and second grade good choices and self-esteem groups, and third and fourth grade lunch groups.  We are happy to have the help of Ms. Amy Osman and Mrs. Johanna Simon from the Beaver County Prevention Network to run third and fourth grade girls lunch groups.  We are looking at other needs as we go along this school year for possible groups with different concerns.

One on One Counseling - Students and/or parents can request for a student to meet with Mr. Abel on a variety of topics or needs. Students have seen Mr. Abel for such situations as being bullied,low self-esteem, behavioral issues in the classroom, anger management, coping skills for anxiety, and other mental health concerns.  Please contact Mr. Abel if you need any help for your child so they can focus, cope and success at school!