Pinterest Finds and Fifth Grade

Pinterest Finds and Fifth Grade

Dr. Haynes shared something with the staff at the start of the year that really struck a chord with me. In a creative way she had us wonder about what we stand for and what’s important to us and whether or not that message is clear to those around us.  In response to that I put up this bulletin board outside my office and in my first guidance class I spend some time talking about what it means to me, what it means for them and what I hope for all of the students at Memorial.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AcX5QH4r-FU31ktutL-Jpw4zC1KM6GsTzw254Pl-sQ6RKsRdAGODnBc/

Fifth Grade

First trimester, fifth graders are focusing on self-esteem in guidance class. If our children are feeling good about themselves they are happy to come to school and they are ready to learn. The project they are completing is another one I found on Pinterest. https://socialworkscrapbook.wordpress.com/2013/02/24/self-esteem-portraits/

• Inside the head are 20 things they like about themselves
• Surrounding the head is an uplifting quote that they chose from a list I provided or that they researched and found on their own.
• Outside of the head are compliments that classmates wrote to them.
• The watercolors are colors and styles of their choosing.  

Mrs. Patkin’s class was the first class to finish this project and here are some of their finished products.

                                                  

Another Pinterest find added to our discussions on kindness and self-esteem. Students wrote kind or positive things to each other on sticky notes and added it to this poster on a classroom door. The poster stayed in their room for 4 weeks and students would add to the door during free moments in their day. The poster will move with me to Mr. LaPorte’s class next week when they get started on their self-esteem projects. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/94364554672088841/

Welcome to Mrs. Collins' Corner

Mrs. Collins’ Corner

Greetings Newton Friends and Family!

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Amy Collins and I am the School Counselor at Memorial. This is my tenth year in this role, and previously I was a counselor in the BASICS Program for eight years. I have spent most of my life in New Hampshire, growing up in North Hampton after living in California, Rhode Island, and Canada as a young child. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Syracuse University and to this day I continue to be a huge Orange fan-Go SU! I then received my Master’s Degree in Education in Counseling from the University of New Hampshire.  Prior to coming to Memorial School I worked as a therapist at a residential home for boys in Allenstown, NH, for 5 years.  I have a wonderful son who is a freshman at Plymouth State University (go Panthers!), and my husband has three great kids who range in ages 22-25. They have finished school, and are busy out in the working world and one is also serving in the Air Force Reserves. The kids at school know me as the “frog lady” but I actually am a fan of most animals, not just frogs! Kermit, my 19 year old frog does come to school with me and the kids love to visit him when they come to my room.

The year in school counseling is off to a good start. As I make my way around to all of the classrooms, I am lucky to see both old friends and new. I look forward to letting you know more about what we are doing….

  

Look here to see what a school counselor’s role is:

https://www.schoolcounselor.org/school-counselors-members/careers-roles