The kids at this school are energetic and committed to their community. They are a lively bunch with many strengths to offer. We are a proud Title 1 school working in outer SE Portland. As a counselor in a low-income/high poverty school, these students are faced with several challenges both in and out of the classroom. Despite the many challenges they face, our counseling department keeps looking for meaningful ways to support our students' development into healthy, empowered and resilient community members.
The students come from many backgrounds, cultures and experiences.
Most of our students experience life at or below the poverty line. All of our students receive breakfast and lunch at school, as well as have the opportunity to participate in an after school program. These programs are offered school wide due to the high percentage (83%) of households receiving need-based income services such as food assistance. We are a community support hub for our families, not only a school.
My Project
I work with several students who experience trauma in their lives, ranging from acute to chronic. Our counseling department works with students who have experienced family violence, historical & systemic racism, poverty and daily neighborhood micro-aggressions. They navigate toxic and complex trauma every day. Often at school, they display a limited ability to tolerate any more added school stress. As they try to process intense emotions they often display difficult, out of control behaviors that are scary for themselves and others in the classroom.
With the help of a set of counseling iPads and wobble stools, the students will develop regulation, relating and reasoning skills to support a healthy stress response and self-regulation.
With furthered competency around tolerating stress, developing positive social skills and remaining regulated, our students will develop strong resiliency and empowered learning. These tools will positively impact our individual students as well as promote safe classroom climates for all students.
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