Hidden Valley Elementary Guidance Newsletter
Guidance
Happenings
• Elementary School
Counselors Have HEART
• Student Information
Surveys
Smile at EVERYONE
you see today.
YOU MATTER
“The Starfish”
There was a young man walking down
a deserted beach just before dawn. In
the distance he saw a frail old man. As
he approached the old man, he saw
him picking up stranded starfish and
throwing them back into the sea. The
young man gazed in wonder as the old
man again and again threw the small
starfish from the sand to the water. He
asked him, “Why do you spend so
much energy doing what seems to be
a waste of time?” The old man
Introduction
My name is Vanessa Sealey and I am
the counselor at Hidden Valley
Elementary School. I received my
Bachelors in Social Work from CUNY
York College and my Masters in Social
Work from Fordham University. I am
very excited to start the 2011-2012
school year and work with all the
wonderful students, staff and families of
Hidden Valley.
While at Hidden Valley, your child
could see me individually, in a small
group, or in the classroom during a
guidance lesson. If you need to talk to
explained that the stranded starfish
would die if left in the morning sun.
“But there must be thousands of
beaches and millions of starfish,”
exclaimed the young man, “How can
your effort make any difference?” The
old man looked down at the small
starfish in his hand and as he threw it to
safety in the sea said, “It makes a
difference to this one.”
“Happiness leads to
smiling, and smiling leads
to happiness. Happiness is
your natural immunity,
having a profound, positive
effect on your health and
well-being. If you are
happy, smile. If you aren’t
happy, smile anyway. It
will help you get there.”
Have a great year and let me know
how I can make a difference for you!
Ms. Sealey, Counselor
me, I can be reached at (980) 343-6810
or you can email me at
vanessa.sealey@cms.k12.nc.us.
I am available to have meetings with
teachers, administrators and/or parents
to discuss the needs of individual
students. I am here for all students and
want to ensure that your child has a
productive and positive school year. If
I can support your child in anyway,
please don’t hesitate to contact me.
The guidance program will benefit our
students as they grow and develop.
It takes only 17
muscles to smile,
compared to 43
muscles to frown.
September 2011 ● Volume 1, Issue 1 ● Ms. Sealey ● (980) 343-6810
Character Education All Stars Program
R is for the respect toward others and
yourself.
E is for equality-everyone is equal in one
way or another.
S is for special because everyone is
special in their own way.
P is for positive because if you are positive
you will earn respect.
E is for excellence. If you give your best,
you will become the best.
C is for caring-not just for ourselves and
others but for everything around us,
including the Earth.
T is for the togetherness that makes us
one. We should have respect for the
world around us and everyone.
Character All Stars is a joint
collaboration with CharlotteMecklenburg Schools, the Carolina
Panthers and Duke Energy to
promote positive character in our
schools by recognizing student and
staff that exemplify the CMS
monthly character traits (respect,
responsibility, honesty, caring,
justice & fairness, citizenship,
courage, perseverance and hope).
Monthly finalists will win prizes such
as Carolina Panthers home game
tickets and autographed
merchandise.
Month
Character
September
Respect
October
Responsibility
November
Honesty
December
Caring
January
Citizenship
February
Courage
March
Perseverance
April
Hope
All finalists, their parents, their
principals, Character All Star
contacts and honored guest will be
recognized at the end-of-year
Character All Stars banquet hosted
by the Carolina Panthers and Duke
Energy.
All forms all located in the guidance
office.
Tips for Parents
Make sure your child completes homework
assignments.
Schedule a time for reading daily.
Ask about upcoming tests.
Schedule conference time with teachers.
Visit the school regularly.
Volunteer time or services whenever possible.
Know your child’s teacher.
Encourage your child to do his/her best on a
daily basis.
Have high standards and expectations for
your child’s learning.
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Reminders to Students
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Make sure your child completes homework
assignments.
Schedule a time for reading daily.
Ask about upcoming tests.
Schedule conference time with teachers.
Visit the school regularly.
Volunteer time or services whenever possible.
Know your child’s teacher.
Encourage your child to do his/her best on a
daily basis.
Have high standards and expectations for
your child’s learning.
If you have a special gift that you would like to share with our students
and/or like to be a guest speaker, during one of my classroom
guidance lessons or group activities, please contact: Ms. Sealey,
Counselor.
September 2011 ● Volume 1, Issue 1 ● Ms. Sealey, Counselor ● (980) 343-6810