Hello RMCA Parents and Guardians,

We would like to welcome you to the first ever edition

of Counselors Corner. This is a monthly newsletter to keep
you up to date on all the happenings in the counseling
center.
As part of our new Character Education Program we
have implemented a new curriculum called the Second Step
program.
The Second Step program is a classroom-based
social-skills program for children 4 to 14 years of age that
teaches socio-emotional skills aimed at reducing impulsive
and
aggressive
behavior
while
increasing
social
competence.
Research shows that students who are socially and
emotionally competent have the skills to successfully
manage their emotions and behavior, cooperate with others,
form positive relationships, and make responsible
decisions.
Each week Second Step will promote a new skill in
the classroom as we highlight its role in our KNIGHTS
character traits schoolwide.
This month we will be highlighting Kindness as it is
our first knightly trait. We encourage you to talk with your
student about what they are learning at school, what being
kind looks like and what it means to do random acts of
kindness.
Please feel free to check out the counselor pages on
the RMCA website for helpful links and more in depth
information.

October:

Kindness

November:

Nobility

December:

Initiative

January:

Generosity

February:

Honesty

MARCH:

Trustworthy

APRIL:

Selfawareness

MAY:

review

New K-8th Knights Cards

In order to reinforce good
behavior at RMCA we are on
the lookout for students who
are exhibiting good character.
Teachers and staff will be
awarding KNIGHTS cards to
students who demonstrate
the KNIGHTS qualities. Each
card will be recorded and can
be redeemed monthly for

Exciting NewsA New KNIGHTS Store Coming Soon!

items that will be offered in

As students earn KNIGHTS cards for demonstrating good

character, they will have the opportunity to redeem them
for prizes in our new store. Those students who show
exemplary behavior and earn at least one card for each of
the individual KNIGHTS traits will also get an invitation to
be knighted at a special end of the year celebration!

For more ideas on how to show

kindness at home or in the
classroom please check out the
link below.
https://www.randomactsofkind
ness.org/kindness-ideas

Elementary Groups
This

month

Ms.

Albers

is

starting four focus groups: a

deployment group, a grief and
loss group and two friendship
groups.

Please

be

on

the

lookout for permission slips as

some kids will be invited to
participate

in

these

groups.

They are 30 minutes once a

week for the next six weeks.

Watch D.O.G.S
We would like to recognize Mrs.
Connie

Parrish

outstanding
new

job

character

located

at

the

who

did

an

creating

our

traits
front

castle
of

the

school.
It looks AMAZING!!

Dear Parents & Guardians,

Is a K-8 program to help get

some more male interaction
with kids. We are asking dads
to join our Watch Dogs team.
You can learn more at:
http://www.fathers.com/watc
hdogs/

We would like to have a competition to encourage kids to

perform kind acts. We would like you to have your kids
write down in a log every kind act they perform, that
needs to be signed off by an adult for each act.
Below is a helpful link to get you started with those
random acts of kindness.
https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-ideas
Lets work together to encourage our kids to show good
character

Next month is
Nobility
Be on the lookout for the
winners of the random acts of
kindness challenge. The
elementary class that gets
the most random acts of
kindness logged will earn a
pizza party.

Second Step Middle School Curriculum

The Second Step middle school program specifically aims to prevent or reduce aggression, violence,
and substance abuse through the promotion of the attitudes and social and problem-solving skills that are linked
to interpersonal and academic success. In this way, the program seeks to promote the skills and attitudes that
predict student success in school and in life.
The Second Step program uses a variety of group and interactive activities to help students gain new
knowledge and skills and includes risk and protective factors to be aware of.
Risk and protective factors are addressed in five themes across the Second Step middle school program
curriculum.
The risk and protective factors addressed within each theme are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Theme 1: Empathy and Communication

Theme 2: Bullying Prevention
Theme 3: Emotion Management
Theme 4: Action Steps for Problem Solving, Decision Making, and Goal Setting
Theme 5: Substance Abuse Prevention

Please contact me if you have any questions about these skills or the Second Step program.
Sincerely, Mrs. Lori

Simple ways to show

kindness:

Hold the door for

someone

Give someone a
compliment

Help a sibling with

homework

Drop off old toys or

books to a charity

Donate clothes you

have outgrown or no
longer wear.

Help out at home

without being asked

TRAIT OF THE MONTH:

KINDNESS
Reminder:

http://www.stopbullying.gov/