A message from the Counselor

THE SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM AT LOTHIAN

Mrs. Pletcher

Strategies for Students

        The following are strategies I teach students for dealing with different problems.   They come from various professional sources such as the Anne Arundel County Public Schools Guidance Curriculum, and the Second Step Program by the Committee for Children.

DEBUG if someone is bugging or bothering you…..

DEBUG

1. Ignore (Ignore for at least 1 minute).
2. Move away (Go somewhere else).
3. Talk friendly (Tell them to stop in a friendly way).
4. Talk firmly (Tell them to stop again, but say it like you mean it).
5. Get adult help (Get help from the nearest adult).

Follow these steps if someone is BULLYING you……

How to Handle Bullying

1. Say, “No!”
2. Say it again!

Say it again!

Say it again!

1. Walk away.
2. Get help.

Use these steps when you need to CALM DOWN because you are angry….

What to Do When You Are Angry

• Think about how your body feels (What are the clues my body is giving me to warn me      

           that I am angry and that I need to calm down?).

• Calm down.
• Take three deep breaths (Take it in through your nose, hold it, let it out
•        slowly through your mouth).
•  Count backwards slowly (10….9…..8……).
•  Think nice thoughts (Think of a peaceful place).
•  Talk to myself (Say to yourself, “I need to calm down.”).

             Think out loud to solve the problem (Now that I am calm, what should I do to solve

                the problem?).

• Think about it later (Did I solve the problem in an appropriate way? What should

          I do differently next time?).

Taken from the program, “Second Step” by the Committee for Children.

Use these steps to solve a PROBLEM…..

Problem Solving

• What is the problem?
• What are some solutions? (What can you do to solve the problem?)
• For each solution, ask:

*Is it safe?

*How might people feel?

*Is it fair?

*Will it work?

• Choose a solution and use it.
• Is it working? If not, what can I do now? (Is there another solution that I can try?)

Taken from the program, “Second Step” by the Committee for Children.

To Contact Ms. Pletcher call Lothian Elementary School 410- 222-1697.

To Contact Ms. Pletcher, call Lothian Elementary School – 410- 222-1697.

Home	Grades Pre-k to 5	Cultural Arts	Support Programs	Administration
Newsletter/Calendar				Fundraising
Lunch Menu				PTA/CAC