Enhancing Student Recognition With International Baccalaureate Learner Profile Attributes!

Hey everyone! We've got some fantastic updates to share about our Student Recognition Program. But first, let's talk about what it means to be an IB candidate school.

Being an IB candidate school is a big deal! It means we're on our way to becoming an official International Baccalaureate (IB) school. The IB program is recognized worldwide for its high standards and commitment to fostering well-rounded students. It focuses on developing essential skills, global awareness, and a love for learning.

By integrating the IB framework into our Student Recognition Program, we're taking our commitment to excellence to a whole new level. We're embracing the values and principles of the IB Learner Profiles, which are at the core of the program. These profiles highlight qualities that go beyond traditional academic achievements, such as being caring, balanced, and reflective individuals.

So, what does this mean for our students? Well, they'll have the opportunity to be recognized not only for their academic achievements but also for the qualities that make them exceptional human beings. Our revamped recognition program will shine a spotlight on students who embody the IB Learner Profiles, celebrating their growth, character, and contributions to our school community.

As an IB candidate school, we're immersing our students in an educational journey that encourages them to become lifelong learners. The IB philosophy fosters critical thinking, encourages curiosity, and nurtures a sense of global citizenship. By aligning our recognition program with the IB framework, we're instilling these values in our students and helping them develop the skills they need to succeed in an interconnected world.

So, let's celebrate this exciting milestone on our path to becoming an official IB school. Our Student Recognition Program, now infused with the IB framework, will empower our students to become well-rounded individuals, equipped with the skills and mindset necessary to thrive in an ever-changing world. Together, we're shaping a brighter future for our students, one recognition at a time!

Ready to Use Resource

Find this on my Creative Counseling Resources TPT Site

New Student Survival Kits: Welcoming Students and Building Connections with Your School Counselor

Hey there, it's a brand new year, and guess what? I have a whopping 50 new students, just in 2nd and 4th grade! And that's not even counting the little Kindergartners that are also new to our school! I wanted to give them a warm welcome and make sure they remember who I am and what I do. But with so many new faces, I had to get a little creative without breaking the bank. That's when the idea of the New Student Survival Kits came to me.

These kits are the perfect little gifts to hand out when I meet my new students for the first time. I made a list of 9 items to include in each kit, along with a description of why I chose each one. Such as a band-aid to represent the school counselor is there to help when you get hurt or an eraser to represent that the school counselor helps you understand everyone makes mistakes. Then, I popped everything into a zip-lock bag, along with the list. And you won't believe it—I managed to buy all the items and bags for just $14 at the Dollar Tree. Score!

Now, here's the really exciting part. When new students meet their school counselor, it opens up a world of benefits for them. First and foremost, I'm here to provide support. Whether it's academic, social, or emotional, I'm ready to lend a helping hand. By having that initial meeting and receiving the New Student Survival Kit, students are encouraged to connect with me whenever they need guidance or someone to talk to.

Building a relationship with their school counselor also promotes a sense of belonging and community. I want my students to feel supported and connected within our school. By taking the time to meet them and explain my role, students realize that they have an advocate in their corner. They know they can count on me to create a safe and inclusive environment where they can thrive.

So, with the New Student Survival Kits, I hope to make that initial meeting even more special! 

Ready to use Resource

If you're interested, you can snag the New Student Survival Kit printables for FREE here:

Check out another fun New Student Activity:

Presenting the Heroic School Counseling Program: An Epic Faculty Escape Room Quest

Heroic Introduction: Unveiling the Annual School Counseling Program Overview for Faculty and Staff

Every year we provide an overview of our School Counseling Program for the Faculty and Staff. This year, for our Back to School School Counseling Program overview with the teachers, I devised an exciting and engaging Virtual Escape Room experience. Who doesn’t love a puzzling Escape Room? Behind this fun activity, I had three key goals:

1. Reviewing our program with the teachers to ensure their familiarity and understanding,
2. Equipping them with knowledge on where they can ALWAYS find answers to their burning questions about our school-wide programs, and
3. Making it an enjoyable experience that would stand out amidst their preparations for the new students, rather than just another task to complete.

Epic Escape Quest: Infusing Superhero Excitement into the Back to School Program Overview

The teachers embarked on a Virtual Escape Room quest to find answers within the Google School Counseling Team Drive. We carefully curated 10 questions specifically tailored to our school counseling program. These questions covered various aspects of our comprehensive services, ensuring a comprehensive review. Some inquiries delved into our Direct Services, encompassing essential components like classroom guidance, small groups, and special programs such as Red Ribbon Week, Career Week, and monthly student recognition. Responsive Services were also incorporated, with questions exploring areas like individual counseling, teacher consultations, and referrals to outside agencies. Additionally, we shed light on our crucial System Support, providing insights into the extensive staff and school support we offer. As the teachers diligently searched for answers, they not only progressed through the Escape Room but also grew more acquainted with the multitude of valuable initiatives we undertake to support our students and school community. Upon completion, they checked their score, with each correct answer unveiling a letter that would eventually form the key to escape!

To accomplish this, I designed a Google form containing 10 questions related to our program. To set the stage, I crafted an intriguing backstory: "Evil villains have infiltrated your school, exiling all the superheroes to the Principal's office. As a superhero, you possess super speed and super strength, but overcoming the challenging puzzles in the villains' plot will require more. You have 15 minutes to free yourselves by solving 10 riddles and save the day. Can you escape before the tardy bell tolls? After submitting your answers, select 'view your score.' Each correct answer will reveal a letter, contributing to the final secret code needed for your escape. If your answers are not all correct, exit the score report, select 'edit your response,' and resubmit with the correct answers to unlock the remaining letters."

The teachers embraced the challenge enthusiastically, fueling a competitive atmosphere. The first team to successfully complete the Escape Room was rewarded with a bucket full of valuable school supplies. Not only did they enjoy the experience, but they also gained substantial knowledge about our program.

Unleashing the Power of Presenting the School Counseling Program at the Beginning of the Year

Presenting your School Counseling Program at the beginning of the year establishes a foundation of awareness and understanding that lasts throughout the school year. Here is what you have to look forward to:

Collaboration: Presenting your program fosters collaboration between the counseling department and faculty/staff, laying the groundwork for teamwork in supporting students.

Awareness: Sharing your program raises awareness among faculty/staff about the available resources and services, ensuring everyone is informed.

Communication: Presenting your program establishes clear communication channels, facilitating easy guidance, support, and referrals.

Referral Process: Explaining your referral process simplifies student referrals, ensuring timely and appropriate interventions.

Targeted Interventions: Familiarity with your program enables collaboration to identify and address specific student needs effectively.

Holistic Support: Educating faculty/staff about your program encourages integration of counseling principles into student interactions, fostering a supportive environment.

Improved Outcomes: Awareness of your program aligns efforts toward promoting student success and contributes to improved academic, social, and emotional outcomes.

Proactive Prevention: Emphasizing preventive measures and proactive strategies reduces crises, creating a positive school climate.

Professional Development: Presenting your program may lead to future professional development opportunities based on faculty/staff interest.

Supportive Culture: Sharing your program promotes a supportive school culture, emphasizing collective responsibility for student well-being and success.

Given the resounding success of this presentation, I have decided to continue being creative in the way I present my School counseling Program each year!

Ready to Use Resource:

If you are interested in using this Escape Room template, shop here for this resource:

Check out another Beginning of the Year Presentation Here: