Counseling
In our community, we will:
- Work to be safe
- Inspire Kindness
- Show Respect
- Embrace Responsibility
One of my favorite parts of being a school counselor is watching students grow over the years and develop their own sense of self and belonging. At MCS, I support all students from Preschool through 6th grade by providing social-emotional learning (SEL) lessons in every classroom. I use Second Step, a research-based curriculum from the Committee for Children, which is aligned with the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning’s (CASEL) five core SEL competencies.
In addition to classroom lessons, I also provide:
- For students: small group counseling based on identified needs, short-term individual counseling, and crisis counseling/intervention.
- For parents and guardians: collaboration and support to ensure students receive the help they need both at school and in the community, consultation and parenting support, and referrals to outside agencies and providers.
- For MCS staff: consultation and collaboration around student needs, along with support to strengthen student resilience.
January 10, 2026
Hello from Class Counsel with Ms. Keel!
Welcome back, families! I’m excited to share all the important and empowering lessons your kiddos have been exploring in Class Counsel. From learning about safe and unsafe touches to diving into the changes of puberty and understanding emotions, our students are growing in knowledge and confidence every day. Let’s take a peek at what happened last week and what’s coming up next!
Last Week’s Highlights
In PreK through 2nd grade, we continued our safety journey by practicing how to recognize safe touches—those that make us feel loved and cared for—and unsafe touches that can hurt our bodies. We also learned how to say “no” and tell a trusted adult if something doesn’t feel right. Third graders reviewed the Touching Rule and applied it to a story about a young girl who uses this rule to stay safe. Fourth grade is taking a little break and will be back after February. Fifth graders jumped into puberty lessons, starting with an introduction to what puberty is all about. If you missed the family letter sent home, you can find it here: Family Letter. Sixth graders refreshed their hygiene habits and explored feelings and how our brains help us understand emotions.
What’s Coming Up Next Week?
Next week, PreK through 2nd grade will learn the important Touching Rule, focusing on private body parts using the correct anatomical names, an important step in helping kids understand and protect their bodies. Third graders will review everything they’ve learned and practice staying safe with real-life scenarios. Fifth graders will explore the changes that happen during puberty for those assigned male at birth. Sixth graders will dive deeper into emotions, learning what they tell us and why they matter so much in our lives.
Things to Remember
-
Encourage your child to use the correct names for body parts, it helps them communicate clearly and stay safe.
-
If you have a 5th grader, check out the Family Letter for helpful information about the puberty unit.
-
Keep the conversation going at home. Your support makes a huge difference in your child’s learning and confidence.
Wrapping Up with a Smile
Thank you for partnering with us to keep our students safe, informed, and confident. We’re proud of all the progress they’re making and can’t wait to see what next week brings. Stay warm, stay curious, and keep those questions coming! See you next time!