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| Bullying Bullying is a huge problem and goes beyond someone getting punched at recess. Bullying is happening with boys and girls. The term “relational aggression” had been coined to talk about female bullying. Relational aggression has been defined by Dr. Nicki Crick as “emotional violence and bullying behaviors focused on damaging an individual’s social connections within the peer group.” And, if physical and emotional bullying were not enough – the information age has provided a forum for cyberbullying – using email and websites to harass and degrade other people.
3 Characteristics that mark bullying behavior
1. Behavior pattern – the mean behavior or words are happening repeatedly to one or more students.
2. The behavior is negatively affecting the victim.
3. Imbalance of power.
If you or someone you know is being bullied there are many things you CAN and SHOULD do.
-Tell an adult – a teacher, counselor, parent, etc.
-Stay in a group – safety in numbers!
-Stand up to the bully, but only if you know you will be safe.
-If someone is bullying you online, DON’T RESPOND!
-Support the person being bullied – they need to know someone cares.
-If you are the bully, talk to an adult about how to stop.
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DepressionDepression is a very serious mental health disorder in this country. It is the most common mental health issue found amongst both teen and adults.
Depression is a very serious mental health disorder in this country. It is the most common mental health issue found amongst both teen and adults. Depression does not discriminate based social backgrounds, races, religions, ages, income level or gender. Its effects can have very serious and long lasting impacts.
Is what you’re feeling called depression?
- Take this quiz to find out if you might be depressed.
- What do I do now? Well, you have a few options. I would recommend checking out the website links below to continue your investigation. Also try talking to a trusted adult in your lifelike your school counselor, parent, teacher or friend of the family. Don’t forget, your school counselor is here to help you with these kinds of problems!
You can find more assessments in the "Self Quizzes Galore" section. |
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| Drugs & Alcohol Drug and alcohol use and abuse continue to be a problem for adolescents. If you or someone you know are struggling with substance issues, please talk to your counselor. |
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| Eating Disorders Eating disorders are mental disorders that involve severe problems and an inconsistency in a person’s eating behaviors. Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa are most often thought of when someone says “eating disorder,” however compulsive over-eating and other disordered types of eating qualify.
Adolescence is a prime time for both girls and boys to develop eating disorders, though onset of the disorder could happen at any time in a person’s life. If you are concerned that someone you know might have an eating disorder, please tell someone you trust. For example, you could tell your school counselor and they could investigate the situation and help your friend.
Here are some causes of eating disorders – this information comes from the National Eating Disorders Association:
Psychological Factors
- Low self-esteem
- Feeling inadequate or not in control of one’s life
- Depression, anxiety, anger, loneliness
Interpersonal Factors
- Trouble with family/personal relationships
- Difficulty expressing emotions/feelings
- Being teased about size or weight
- History of physical or sexual abuse
Social Factors
- Cultural pressures related to thinness
- Narrow definitions of beauty
- Cultural norms
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| Grief & Loss Grief is a response to losing someone or something close to us. This could be the death of a family member, death of a pet, a friend that moves away, divorce, and many other instances where something important is lost. Grief is a response to losing someone or something close to us. This could be the death of a family member, death of a pet, a friend that moves away, divorce, and many other instances where something important is lost. There are five stages of grief – denial, bargaining, depression, anger, and acceptance. These stages can take any amount of time, go out of order, and cycle back so that you experience them more than once. Avoiding your feelings will only prolong the grieving process. Here are some ways to work through your grief:
- Allow yourself to experience your feelings and thoughts.
- Journal to express yourself and heal.
- Talk about your loss with someone you trust, someone you could cry with.
- Work on anything left undone or unsaid – resolve those issues.
- Look into small groups to see how others are dealing with similar losses – we offer small groups at Marist.
- Talk to your counselor.
If your counselor is aware that you are experiencing grief, they will check in with you to see if you need anything and to let you know their door is open if you need to talk. Counselors don’t always know about your loss though, so please know that you can see your counselor for support.
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| | 10th Grade Body Image and Media Literacy LessonDuring term two, the personal counselors will lead a lesson with the 10th graders about media messages, especially as they pertain to our understanding of beauty. Additionally, body image, disordered eating, and eating disorder myths will be discussed. |
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7th Grade Healthy Relationships LessonDuring term two, the personal counselors will lead a lesson with the 7th graders about healthy relationships. The lesson will be very interactive and will cover both in-person relationships and relationships that occur through technology (social media, texting, etc.). The focus of this lesson is to help 7th graders make good decisions about the kind of friend and classmate they want to be. |
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8th Grade EXPLORE LessonDuring term two, the personal counselors will follow-up with the 8th graders about their results from the EXPLORE test they took in October. The lesson will focus on the personality and career results that the students received and how to use that information to think about future plans and high school courses. Additionally, students will learn how to interpret the academic score results. EXPLORE results will be mailed home following the lesson. |
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8th Grade SummitOn the Tuesday and Wednesday of Fall Testing the eighth graders will be participating in the 8th Grade Summit, organized by the counseling department. On Tuesday the 8th graders will take the EXPLORE test that will give them information about their personality and how it relates to school, college, and careers. EXPLORE combines an 8th grade version of the ACT with a career & interest inventory aimed to help students plan ahead to achieve their goals. When the scores come in, counselors will conduct guidance lessons with the 8thgraders to go over results. On Wednesday, the female students will participate in a workshop on body image and eating disorders led by Ms. Kendall Reid-Webster, while the male students participate in a workshop led by Mr. Dan Perez on character. After these talks, the students will get to burn some energy through team building activities and "Minute-to-Win-it" style games.
*Please make sure that your child brings a pencil and calculator for the EXPLORE on Tuesday. We will have some extra pencils, but we will not have extra calculators. Also, there will not be extended time for the EXPLORE. |
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9th Grade College and Careers Lesson During term three, the personal counselors will lead a lesson with the 9th graders about college and careers. They will participate in activities that aim to help them think about their values and personality – and how both of these things impact future decisions. Students will also learn about what colleges are looking for, and will see Marist student data on college acceptances. The goal of this lesson is to help 9th graders plan for their future goals at Marist, in college, and beyond. |
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Cant' We All Just Get AlongThe “Can’t We All Just Get Along?” group will be a five-week group that focuses on everyday issues you face while in middle school. We will be raising awareness, developing empathy, teaching healthy conflict resolution, exploring feelings, and promoting a positive change in female relationships. Each participate will have the opportunity to lead a discussion or contribute to our group conversation. In addition to helping each other grow as an individual, we hopefully will be building friendships along the way.
This small group will begin the week of April 9th and will run through the end of term three. The group will be held during class time on a rotating basis. Please note that your child will miss each of their classes one time in order to participate (i.e. week one they miss math, week two chorus, and so on). If your child does have a quiz or test during a small group, they will have to miss or come late to their small group. Additionally, your child will be responsible for making up course content missed during small group meetings.
In order for your child to participate, we need your permission. Please don’t hesitate to contact the counselor listed as the group leader for more information, or to express any concerns. The permission slip is located here. |
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Class of 2016 High Harbour Trip InformationWe will travel to Camp High Harbour in Clayton, Georgia on August 30th, and 31st of 2012. The overnight trip is designed to help ninth graders to get to know each other, build relationships, and celebrate their class. We will leave High Harbour on Friday following lunch and return to school for dismissal at 3:00 PM
You can read the information form here. Please be sure to return medical forms and waivers. Forms may be delivered to either the front desk, the counseling office, or via mail.
Thank you.
Counseling Office |
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I Am MeAge Range: 7th-8th grade girls
The “I Am Me” group will be a five-week group that focuses on everyday issues you face while in middle school. We will be talking about friendships, daily stressors, relaxation techniques, and maintaining good self-esteem. Each participate will have the opportunity to lead a discussion or contribute to our group conversation. In addition to helping each other problem-solve, we hopefully will be building friendships along the way. Click here to download the permission form for I Am Me. |
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New Student Small GroupsDuring first term, personal counselors will call new students in for a one-time small group meeting. The purpose of these meetings is to allow students to meet their counselor, inform students about what the counseling office has to offer, get to know other new students, and to have a little fun and begin feeling comfortable using the counseling office. |
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| Family Issues Well, you’re a teenager. You’re bound to have some issues with your family. It’s a part of life. Whether they’re getting on your nerves or just about driving you insane, you are not alone. Well, you’re a teenager. You’re bound to have some issues with your family. It’s a part of life. Whether they’re getting on your nerves or just about driving you insane, you are not alone. However, sometimes what’s going on at home can go beyond the annoyance and into the more serious. Things can happen in families that are oftentimes beyond your control. Parents split up, siblings fight, families move, loved ones die, and parent/child relationships suffer. No one is perfect and sometimes we could all use a little help along the way. Check out some of the links below and think about making an appointment to talk to your school counselor if you’re having a hard time dealing at home.
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| Learning Differences Everyone learns differently. That’s just the way it goes. We have our strengths and we have our weaknesses. Here are some interesting facts:
- Did you know that Albert Einstein couldn't read until he was nine? Walt Disney, General George Patton, and Vice President Nelson Rockefeller had trouble reading all their lives. Whoopi Goldberg and Charles Schwab and many others have learning disabilities which haven't affected their ultimate success.
- Fifteen percent of the U.S. population, or one in seven Americans, has some type of learning disability, according to the National Institutes of Health.” (www.ldonline.org)
To understand a learning disability, try to remember that it is a basic difference in the way the brain is “wired.” An extremely common misconception is that people with learning disabilities are stupid. When, in fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Children with learning disabilities are as smart or smarter than their peers. But they may have difficulty reasoning, writing, spelling, reading, remembering and/or organizing information if left to figure things out by themselves. If you feel like you may have a learning disability, please talk to your counselor or the learning specialist at Marist. They can help guide you in the right direction.
Finally, it is very important to remember that there is no magical cure or “fix” for learning disabilities. It is a lifelong issue that will never go away. That is why it is so important for people with LD to understand and “own” their learning style. Then they can be the best advocates for themselves in the school environment.
ADD/ADHD
Because ADHD is a broad category covering different things — attention, activity, and impulsivity — it can show up in different ways in different people. Some of the signs of ADHD are when someone:
- has difficulty paying attention or staying focused on a task or activity
- has problems finishing assignments at school or home and jumps from one activity to another
- has trouble focusing on instructions and difficulty following through
- loses or forgets things such as homework
- is easily distracted, even when doing something fun
- has problems paying close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
- has trouble organizing tasks and activities
- has difficulty waiting one's turn
- interrupts or intrudes on other people
- blurts out answers before questions have been completed
- fidgets with hands or feet or squirms about when seated
- feels restless
- talks excessively and has trouble engaging in activities quietly
Of course, it's normal for everyone to zone out in a boring class, jump into a conversation, or leave their homework on the kitchen table once in a while. But people with ADHD have so much trouble staying focused and controlling their behavior that it affects their emotions and how well they do in school or other areas of their lives. In fact, ADHD is often viewed as a learning disorder because it can interfere so much with a person's ability to study and learn.” (www.kidshealth.org)
If you have any further questions or concerns about learning differences, consider contacting Marist's Learning Specialist, Dr. Eleanor Taylor-Adams.
For Teens
You can find more assessments in the “Self Quizzes Galore” section!!! |
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| Relationships and Dating Well, what can we say about teen dating? It’s something that will cause parents to cringe and their children to swoon. It is a part of growing up that can make teenagers feel insane, ecstatic, light headed, warm & fuzzy, confident, and insecure, all at the same time. Some people fall in and out of love quickly and often while others are never really in love as much as they are in lust. You are bound to find teenage relationships that fall on every point of the “love spectrum.” This can mystify many teens, because romantic love is a relatively new concept for you and you don't know what to expect. You are overwhelmed with all sorts of new emotions and social pressures. They are super confusing. You just have to be smart and follow your own heart and your own morals. Just don’t let anyone talk you into something that you aren’t comfortable doing!
For Teens
For Parents
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| Self Quizzes Galore So, you’re curious about yourself. Who isn’t? Maybe clicking on the link below will help put you on the path to understanding you. |
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| Social Skills Social skills are some of the most important tools a person can have for life at school and beyond. It is a natural human desire to have a sense of belonging. Not everyone is a social butterfly. Some people are outgoing, some people are shy. Whoever you are, it is important to learn how to navigate social situations in a way that is true to yourself and pleasant to others.
Here are four types of social skills as provided by the National Association of School Psychologists:
1. Survival skills (e.g., listening, following directions, ignoring distractions, using nice or brave talk, rewarding yourself)
2. Interpersonal skills (e.g., sharing, asking for permission, joining an activity, waiting your turn)
3. Problem-solving skills (e.g., asking for help, apologizing, accepting consequences, deciding what to do)
4. Conflict resolution skills (e.g., dealing with teasing, losing, accusations, being left out, peer pressure)
If you would like help working on social skills, see your counselor to make an individual appointment or sign up for a small group.
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| | Counseling Event Photo Gallery By clicking on the image below you will be taken to a website outside of www.marist.com |
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 The password for Websource is MARIST |
| Standardized Testing So, it’s standardized testing time. It is the time of year when everyone fills in little bubbles with a #2 pencil, whilst trying to remember everything they have ever learned. Students would surely hate it if they didn’t get a day off of classes to do it. When you were in elementary school you probably took the Iowa tests, then the SSAT to get into Marist, and now we have you taking the CTP4’s (aka: ERB’s). If you’re not taking CTP4’s anymore, then you probably are taking the ACT Plan, PSAT, ACT or SAT. If that is the case, you can find more helpful information on our college counseling portal. But it doesn’t matter what the test, standardized testing never seems to end!
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| Stress & Anxiety Often times the academic setting is a source of stress and anxiety. With daily assignments, quizzes, tests, the drive to get good grades, and the prospect of college looming, students are always busy. While some stress is good and can help motivate a person to do high-quality work, there is a point when stress becomes unhealthy and interferes with daily life, maybe even resulting in anxiety. If you are experiencing unhealthy stress or anxiety, see your counselor for some stress-relief strategies.
Ideas for stress reduction
• Plan ahead (time management!) • Sleep • Exercise • Nutrition • Support system – talk to someone! • Hobbies & Activities • Relaxation • Positive Attitude • Self expression – get the stress out! (i.e. journaling, painting)
For Teens
Kid’s Health
For Parents
Help GuideNational Institute of Mental Health
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| Study Skills Good study skills are at the center of education, however they are not always directly taught. At Marist we offer an awesome course on study skills that has enhanced many academic careers. Time management, study schedules, note-taking, reading comprehension, test-taking, and breaks are all skills that help any student become a better student. If you have some areas you’d like to work on visit some of the sites below, sign up for the Study Skills class, and/or make an appointment with your counselor to figure out what you could do to be a better student.
For Teens
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