TBS GUIDANCE

Greetings!  Welcome to the Thompson Brook School Guidance website!  The 2008/2009 school year promises to be a busy and interesting one for members of the Thompson Brook School Community.

For those of you new to TBS, my name is Miss Hausmann and I am your School Counselor. I will endeavor to meet with you asap so that we will know each other a bit.

Sixth graders will find some differences this year, but I am sure you will adjust.

There will be definite changes in our Guidance Schedule due to the fact that this year, I will be offering services to students, teachers and parents in two schools.

 I will be available at TBS on two and a half days, (Monday, and Thursday all day.  Wednesday in the afternoon). What this means is that sometimes when you come to see me, my office will be closed.  However I will have pad and pen available for you to indicate you need an appointment.  Please write me a note, stating your name, homeroom # the date and the fact that you would like an appointment. Please slip it under my office door. Or, you can send me an e-mail.  I will contact you asap.

 Services no longer being offered:  There will no longer be 6th grade Workshop on Visual Impairment.

Daily Lunch Bunch meetings will not be held on either grade level.

Drop ins:  Students will really need to set up appointments this year, because the tight schedule will not allow "drop ins" between classes.

Services being continued but on a reduced timetable:

Communication Workshop: Definition: The counselor meets for a limited number of sessions, with the students of each homeroom to enhance your various skills:  problem solving, social,& academic.  Students learn about some careers, priorities, proper protocol in various situations, how to be responsive to others, how to understand your own feelings and the emotions of others,to be assertive, how to use your critical thinking skills at all times and to work cooperatively especially with those with whom you disagree. The workshop provides a place to speak about matters that are of concern to you.

Although Avon initiated Communication Workshop prior to the State's request that all schools have a Developmental Guidance Program in place for all students, our program continues to be adjusted and refined to meet the needs of the students, in accordance with State mandates.

This year however, the number of times each class meets may be reduced.

Lunch Bunch:  If possible Lunch Bunch will be offered on  at least one  of the days I am at TBS.  This is an opportunity for students to sign up to meet other members of your team, share a quiet environment while enjoying lunch together and use the opportunity to  consult with the counselor on various issues that the group might find important to discuss. Usually their is a maximun of ten to twelve students in each group, and you meet one day weekly for five weeks (down from six or eight as in the past).

Breakfast Club:  Since Breakfast Club is offered before students get to homeroom or shortly thereafter, we should be able to schedule at least one morning, for this activity.  It is a place where students enjoy a breakfast treat and juice provided by the counselor and get to know new people on their grade level. Breakfast club is usually limited to five or six people to foster a sense of community. Each group meets for Breakfast Club once weekly for five weeks.

Before school appointments will continue as in the past.

Other services available to all TBS students are:

Individual counseling, crisis counseling, working out social problems that develop at recess etc., grief counseling. 

Helping students with study skills will also be continued. 

The counselor will try to  continue to respond to invitations to address specific issues within various classrooms. This will most likely take a longer time to accomplish because of reduced time in the building, but we will make a strong effort to meet the expressed needs.

The counselor is available to parents and teachers as well as students.  Parents and teachers are encouraged to contact me electronically if possible or via my secure phone/voicemail. This info is available on the school website, or in the student handbook.

It is going to be a great year!  I am looking forward to seeing all of you! We will see each other before you know it!!