School Counselor

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Welcome to Purdy Elementary School
COUNSELOR'S CORNER

Wow.  This school year has been flying by.
  A lot has happened since September, as you have been experiencing with your students. Here are some of the programs and activities presented within the counseling arena.  I am also going to add our newest State standardized testing information, below, at this time.

♦  During the first few days of school, Jim Rudsit ,our Principal, and I visit each classroom and talk about positive behavior and school rules.  We especially focus on harrassment and zero tolerance for bullying.  Students also clearly hear items not okay for school, including any kind of weapon or toy weapon, or any material or clothing relating to drugs, alcohol or violence.  When students all get the same message at the start of school, there is no misunderstanding about what is okay and not okay. We take this proactive approach for a positive school climate. 

♦  I met with all students new to Purdy this year in small groups.  We took a picture and each student made a small poster with their picture to post on the "New Purdy Panther" board.   

♦  Schoolwide, we started our monthly character themes right away in September. Students can earn a Panther Paw that goes up on the wall in the Commons lunchroom by demonstrating that trait in daily behavior.  Themes for this year are 
September = Vision/Goals;   October = Responsibility;
Novemeber=Kindness, Friendship and Inclusion;  December=Respect;
January=Courage;   February=Self Control; March=Honesty; April=Cooperation; May=Perseverence; June=Citizenship.

♦  I presented "Kelso's Choice" problem solving program to all Kindergartens, 1st and 2nd grade classrooms early in the Fall.  I wore a pretty fun frog costume; not too scary. Looked pretty silly, but I did get the kids' attention!  Later in January, I visited the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders with the same message about Kelso.  We concluded with "Kelso's Rap" which was pretty fun, and put the 9 choices into context.  Students will continue to practice using these strategies if they have a problem with another person -- a common language to use within our school for conflict and problem solving situations.

♦ Small lunch groups, as well as other  "friendship groups," continue through the school year as a method for getting to know Purdy students, facilitating their bonding with school and other students, model and practice positive friendship skills, and allow kids some special fun time. 

♦ The MSP (Measurement of Student Progress / previously the WASL) will be given late in the school year --- the window for testing will be MAY 12th through MAY 28th.  --for grades 3 through 5.  Here at Purdy, we have put together a testing schedule that we think will be optimal for students' concentration and success.  There are fewer testing days needed to complete all subject areas required.  The following is our schedule:

3rd graders:  Reading test on Thursday, May 13th
                        Math test on Tuesday, May 18th
4th graders:  Reading test on Thursday, May 13th
                        Writing 1 test on Friday, May 14th
                        Math test on Tuesday, May 18th
                        Writing 2 test on Thursday May 20th
5th graders:  Reading test on Thursday, May 13th
                        Math test on Tuesday, May 18th
                        Science test on Thursday May 20th

I will do Make-up testing with students who have been ill and missed a test, during the days between and after testing  ( May 17th, 19th, and 21st (Mon,Wed,Fri).

Please feel free to give me a call or send an email if you have any questions about this new version of our State's testing.


I will add other activities to this list as they arise.  Meanwhile, I am keeping my original messages below.  Please feel free to contact me at any time with any questions you may have about your child, something I am doing, or other events or occurences around school.
My direct phone number is 530-4630.  You can leave a private voicemail on this line. Or 
email through this website, or to  wilners@psd401.net .

Thanks for visiting!! 

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Welcome back for the new school year.
2009-10 has gotten off to a wonderful start.
The joy and enthusiasm to be back at school with friends and learning is overwhelming . Thank you, parents, for working hard to prepare your children for returning to school. 
It makes a difference!

In case you do not know me, my name is Sue Wilner. It is hard to imagine, but this is beginning my fifteenth year as School Counselor at Purdy. Each year brings a fresh opportunity to work with students and families and help enrich the educational experience.
My background includes a Bachelors degree in sociology from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), and a Masters degree in education/school counseling from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. I have previously been a counselor at Peninsula High School and Kopachuck M.S. before moving to Purdy.

Thank you for checking in.  I appreciate the opportunity to work with students in celebrating their exciting moments and many successes, and helping them work out difficulties and challenges, and learn to solve problems and dilemnas. I will be adding information to my website as it arises.  Meanwhile, please feel free to email back to me any thoughts or concerns you may have.  And thanks for supporting your child's education, and social and emotional development.
At Purdy, we are all a TEAM.