Greetings, from the Student Support Specialist for Cassopolis Public School District 2015-2016
As the student support specialist I provide guidance, advocacy, and support to our students, parents, and staff. My college degrees that I have earned are Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Science in Human Services with a Specialty in Professional Counseling. I have had the privilege to work for Cassopolis Public Schools for the past 20 years. Typically, I identify problematic issues that interfere with student learning and achievement. Some of the issues range from academic to behavioral. All things must be considered when a student is struggling to learn. Often, prevention is what is needed. Those circumstances call for classroom presentations, small support groups, or individual meetings with students. Some of the classroom topics are regulating our emotions, bullying, tolerance and acceptance. Individual or small group meetings may be needed to help students succeed include: homelessness, separation/divorce, grief, runaway prevention, and friendships. Along with working with children, I consult with parents, teachers, principals, and outside agencies to discuss options that will help the students succeed.
If you are lucky enough to hear our morning announcements, you will notice that everyone in the building recites our school motto, after we recite the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Most mornings (time permitting) I play music for inspiration and motivation. This is just design to make everyone smile or have a happy tune on their minds to start the day. Our school motto encourages all of us, staff, students, and parents to start each day a with positive attitude by using the Positive Thought Process. Positive thoughts simply mean good thoughts. Together, with positive thoughts we can learn anything, achieve anything and we can have the best behavior! Positive thinking can be a strategy to use throughout your whole life. Everything that we do begins with a single thought, so let’s make those thoughts positive ones! We must be united with one goal and that is to be the best whatever your role is in this school system. Let’s make Sam Adams Elementary our safe haven for positive thinking. So remember, once you enter this building start using your positive thought process. It will take every last one of us to make our beliefs a reality!
I am smart
I am kind
I am important
I am here to learn
My intention behind this thought process is the more one says it and hears it, the more one believes the statements are true. Just think about how we all hang on to the negative comments people said to us in our daily lives. No matter how young or old, by not allowing the negative or defeatist attitude to even begin for students and everyone the moment they enter the building, we can encourage and model how to have a positive outlook. In essence, we are creating a new reality for our school by using the power of positive thoughts as well as the power of the spoken word. Positive thoughts bring about positive words, which in turn bring about positive behavior.
These statements encourage our students and our colleague’s everyday to use the strategy of positive thinking and speaking. This is a simple concept, but it can have powerful and lasting outcomes. Imagine children believing in themselves! My goal is for the words and intentions behind these words to ring true. We are what we think and we do what we believe!
I am smart: (Declaring these words will help alleviate self-defeat, ties in with inclusion, and fosters support that everyone has the right to make this statement.)
I am kind: (This statement will help discourage bullying and ties into our Ranger Pride model of expectations. If we are being kind we are showing respect and following the rules.)
I am important: (This statement up lifts self-esteem. Students will come to the understanding that they don’t have to disrupt to get attention.)
I am here to learn: (This statement reminds everyone why we are present each day and to take the job of learning seriously.)
Parents try this process at home. Let's work together to help our children not to feed into the negative aspects of life. As your child's first teacher, remember that they believe whatever you tell them about school and learning before we ever get the chance. No matter the age of your child let them know that you love and support them by caring enough not to let think in a negative manner.
This is a harsh world we live in and there are daily events that no doubt effect our well-being. Please feel free to call or make an appointment to discuss major live changes that you and your family have recently experienced that will impact your child's learning. Some of the challenges in our lives are difficult for most adults, just imagine how hard these challenges are for the children. So please call if you know that your child has or will experience soon the death of a close relative, loss of a parent or sibling through divorce, separation, incarceration, or terminal illness. The more support we give the children decreases the opportunity to disrupt their education.
Always remember that we are partners in your child's education so don't hesitate to call me at 269-445.0519.
If you are lucky enough to hear our morning announcements, you will notice that everyone in the building recites our school motto, after we recite the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Most mornings (time permitting) I play music for inspiration and motivation. This is just design to make everyone smile or have a happy tune on their minds to start the day. Our school motto encourages all of us, staff, students, and parents to start each day a with positive attitude by using the Positive Thought Process. Positive thoughts simply mean good thoughts. Together, with positive thoughts we can learn anything, achieve anything and we can have the best behavior! Positive thinking can be a strategy to use throughout your whole life. Everything that we do begins with a single thought, so let’s make those thoughts positive ones! We must be united with one goal and that is to be the best whatever your role is in this school system. Let’s make Sam Adams Elementary our safe haven for positive thinking. So remember, once you enter this building start using your positive thought process. It will take every last one of us to make our beliefs a reality!
I am smart
I am kind
I am important
I am here to learn
My intention behind this thought process is the more one says it and hears it, the more one believes the statements are true. Just think about how we all hang on to the negative comments people said to us in our daily lives. No matter how young or old, by not allowing the negative or defeatist attitude to even begin for students and everyone the moment they enter the building, we can encourage and model how to have a positive outlook. In essence, we are creating a new reality for our school by using the power of positive thoughts as well as the power of the spoken word. Positive thoughts bring about positive words, which in turn bring about positive behavior.
These statements encourage our students and our colleague’s everyday to use the strategy of positive thinking and speaking. This is a simple concept, but it can have powerful and lasting outcomes. Imagine children believing in themselves! My goal is for the words and intentions behind these words to ring true. We are what we think and we do what we believe!
I am smart: (Declaring these words will help alleviate self-defeat, ties in with inclusion, and fosters support that everyone has the right to make this statement.)
I am kind: (This statement will help discourage bullying and ties into our Ranger Pride model of expectations. If we are being kind we are showing respect and following the rules.)
I am important: (This statement up lifts self-esteem. Students will come to the understanding that they don’t have to disrupt to get attention.)
I am here to learn: (This statement reminds everyone why we are present each day and to take the job of learning seriously.)
Parents try this process at home. Let's work together to help our children not to feed into the negative aspects of life. As your child's first teacher, remember that they believe whatever you tell them about school and learning before we ever get the chance. No matter the age of your child let them know that you love and support them by caring enough not to let think in a negative manner.
This is a harsh world we live in and there are daily events that no doubt effect our well-being. Please feel free to call or make an appointment to discuss major live changes that you and your family have recently experienced that will impact your child's learning. Some of the challenges in our lives are difficult for most adults, just imagine how hard these challenges are for the children. So please call if you know that your child has or will experience soon the death of a close relative, loss of a parent or sibling through divorce, separation, incarceration, or terminal illness. The more support we give the children decreases the opportunity to disrupt their education.
Always remember that we are partners in your child's education so don't hesitate to call me at 269-445.0519.
