A Year in the Life of a
School Counselor

The Month of February

Join me as I work as an elementary school counselor in the month of February. Some school counselors swear that there is a full moon during the month of February.

It is important to remember your graduate counseling group class where they discuss the stages of a group. Bruce Tuckman in 1965 stated that each group has a "forming, storming, norming, performing stage. I find that the "storming" stage often comes about in February.

So, this month lets do our best to distract everyone from all the "drama". Focus on the character words for "Love and Kindness". As the school counselor, you need to stay positive and help your students and staff stay positive too!

Having some fun activities to promote the school counselor character words helps. Below are some ideas to help you during the month of February.

Meet the little warm fuzzy friend "Amour" who teaches children that love and kindness works best!


The School Counselor Guidance Lesson Story:
All students will hear the story "Amour and the Red Dragon" written by Dr. S. This story teaches children to respond to each other with love and kindness, not fear and anger. Read the story to the students. You can find this link below.

Bullying Prevention Coping Skill for February:
We will all practice the bullying prevention coping skill of the month by doing what the Warm Fuzzy Friend "Amour" would do. She would say, "Just be Nice" to the bully and then walk away. Each grade level will practice role plays using this unique bullying prevention coping skill. 


Whole School Love and Kindness Activities:

Random Acts of Kindness Day February 14th:
Celebrate "Random Acts of Kindness Day" on February 14th by wearing pink, purple, or red! Then take the "Love and Kindness Bracelet Challenge" below. Also, try to get "caught" doing a "Random Act of Kindness" and get a Love and Kindness Token and enter the contest to win a prize from Dr. S.! 


Love and Kindness Bracelet Challenge to Support "Random Acts of Kindness Day":
Students will be encouraged to wear a "Love and Kindness" yarn bracelet of purple, red, or pink. If the student chooses to wear this bracelet they will put it on their right wrist. For one week the student will make the positive choice not to say anything mean or ugly about anyone. If the student does say something mean, they need to move the bracelet to the left wrist for one full day and then start over again with the right wrist the next day.


Love and Kindness Tokens:
Teachers and staff have been instructed to be listening and watching out for Random Acts of Kindness this month. If a teacher or staff member hears or sees a Random Act of Kindness they will give you a Love and Kindness Token. This token can be turned into Dr. S. for a drawing each week! Winners get to go to the World's Greatest Treasure Store in Dr. S.'s office. 

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A Year in the Life of a School Counselor: March

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Study Skills Social Story Guidance Lesson: March

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February Guidance Lesson Story on Love and Kindness: "Amour and the Red Dragon".

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"See the Entire Year in the Life of a School Counselor ">

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Disclaimer: This website and its content is intended for trained licensed mental health professionals and school certified mental health professionals to use for their clients / students at their own discretion.

*If you ignore the disclaimer above are using these techniques on yourself and you feel any discomfort or upset it is highly suggested that you seek out a licensed  mental health professional immediately.

"Beyond Art Therapy" is the concept from Dr. Stangline that combines all creative fields in therapy. It is not the traditional "art therapy" but goes beyond to include sand tray therapy, play therapy, mindfulness, meditation, color therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and a vast majority of other therapies.

For any other type of mental health emergency call your local 911 / Police Number immediately.

Dr. Stangline does not offer advice / suggestions to anyone who is not a professional mental health provider, or a student who is studying this field and has questions about mental health programs of study.