"Miss Hilary" Banger   

Counselor’s Connection

School wide activities play a major role in reinforcing goals at our school.  For this reason, adults in the school make a conscious decision to reinforce what’s really important, and to create activities that are inclusive, support children’s learning, foster an appreciation of differences, and provide children with the opportunity to help others.  The more children feel that their school community cares about them and meets their needs, the more likely they are to feel attached to that community, to practice the values it promotes, and to thrive academically and socially.  Class meetings, Peer mediation, and School jobs are just a few of the many ways that Sorensen makes this happen.

Classroom meetings are well underway.  This is a time where I meet with each classroom, each week, for 30 minutes on a myriad of topics including conflict resolution, community building, personal safety, and goal setting.  This type of environment provides an opportunity to engage in problem solving and conflict resolution where all members of the community are concerned about each other’s well-being.  Peace Corners are available in each classroom, so that students can “talk-it-out” with other class members when a conflict arises.

Peer Mediatiors: 4^th and 5^th grade students will be trained in the conflict resolution process.  They will be helping students at our school successfully resolve conflicts.  If your student is having a conflict with a student in another class, your student is able to sign up for a peer mediator to help resolve the conflict.  Forms are available in your student’s classroom.  Once a student signs up, a peer mediator will meet with both students involved in the conflict to help the students talk about what happened.  Peer mediators have been taught not to take sides and to help the students in conflict brainstorm a solution to the problem that both students are happy with. 

School jobs have begun! This is just one of the many ways that your student can get involved and give back to our school community.  Some of the jobs include: pledge of allegiance announcer, lunch announcer, morning greeter, afternoon greeter, safety cone helper, SRP blue slip collectors and many more!  Students that are interested should fill out a job application and I will have the opportunity to interview your child.  What a great way to learn more about the hiring process and practice speaking skills as well. 

Let the applications begin!!  Thank you for supporting your student each and every day!

Miss Hilary

Sorensen School Counselor