Ms. Rosado

Conversation Starters

Students are working with enthusiasm through this school year.  Fluctuating weather, 3 day weekends, upcoming spring break, and the very nature of the middle school student keep them on their toes!

In that light, Ms. Millard and I want you to know that the counseling department has lots of resources to help keep your child, regardless of grade level, in balance.  Besides offering a place to think things through or to participate in small groups, we have pamphlets aimed to many of our students’ primary concerns.

The Parent Institute is the resource used for many of our “QuickTips” and “Student Tips” pamphlets.

“Dealing with Peer Pressure” is one of the pamphlets that helps students work through some of the tough social issues they face.  Addressed are ideas like “Pick friends who share your interests & values”, “Invite kids to your house”, “Know your values and trust your feelings”,  “Plan ahead”, “Practice ways to say no”, “How to decide when you have to make a tough choice”, and “Developing a back-up plan”. 

Also along the social issues’ line there is “Resolving Conflicts”, “Popularity & Friendship Problems” and “Coping with Divorce”.

The next time you wonder what conversation you can initiate with your middle schooler, please think of these resources.  We believe they can open doors to communication and offer some solid suggestions.

January Tribune Article

Grade 7

One of my favorite educators is a professor at Harvard named Howard Gardner.  Dr. Gardner believes that we all have intelligences in multiple areas.  Through this winter time, the students have taken the opportunity to learn a little more about Gardner's multiple intelligences and to rate themselves in each area.  How about you?  What areas of “smartness” work best for you?

Ask your child to tell you about the different areas.  Spatial deals with imagining how a space will look before you even begin; Bodily Kinesthetic encompasses coordination, strength, agility and so forth; Linguistic is “word smart”; Musical strength includes a distinction for sound; Naturalist includes an eye for detail; Interpersonal folks are good communicators and natural leaders; and the Intrapersonal aspect has to do with knowing ourselves.  Then, the question is:  How do I use these areas of strength to be a better student?  A good friend?  A person who is helpful?

Begin a conversation today.  Who knows what fun things you’ll learn!

October Tribune Article

September was an exciting month for me because I had the opportunity to meet with your child through social studies class for an Introduction to the Counselor session.  I encourage you to ask him or her about it!  What a super bunch of students!

We’ll be initiating some small groups in October.  I like to offer small groups in the areas of organization and stress.  (And although those often go hand-in-hand, they are actually presented as two different groups!)  If your child is taxed with the new responsibilities of 7th grade, please talk about the possibility of joining a group.

Lastly, 7th grade now has a full time counselor (and it’s me!)  I’m so happy be settled into the building for the full day.  I look forward to working with you and yours twice as much!

September Tribune

It's great to be at Dickerson for another school year with our 7th grade students! Most schedule corrections and changes have been made, and students are settling into their routines and patterns. There are new friends to be made, new teachers to work with, new material to be learned, and your counselors are here to support your child and assure that he or she has the best school day possible.

Due to a change in our number of students, I have been hired to work ½ day. My regular hours are 8:30 to 12:30. But, please, rest assured that our counseling department works as a team; and if your child needs a counselor after

"my hours"

, either Ms. Millard or Ms. Pearce will be happy to step in and lend a hand. I look forward to another wonder year!

Welcome to Our Grade 7 Counselor's Blog!

How was the first quarter for you?  Were new friends made?  Was homework organization a challenge?  Are you wondering how your assignments are affecting your grades?  If there's anything you'd like to talk about or anything you're wondering about, please stop by and see me.  If I'm not immediately available, just complete a blue slip and drop it into my counselor's mailbox.  I'll get back with you.  Promise!

What is a counselor?

• A certified trained professional
• A provider of guidance and counseling for all students.
• A provider of resources.
• A coordinator of programs.
• A support person who consults with teachers and parents.