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 30, 2026
Hello from Class Counsel with Ms. Keel!
We’re so excited to share all the wonderful things happening in our class! From learning how to stay safe to exploring our feelings and even diving into how our brains work, there’s never a dull moment. Let’s take a look back at what we’ve been up to and peek ahead at what’s coming next!
Last Week’s Highlights
In PreK, we focused on safety by reviewing our safety rules and learning about good and bad secrets, plus what to do if a secret doesn’t feel right. Kindergarten wrapped up their Safety unit by applying what they learned to a story about Julie, a girl who keeps herself safe. First graders are finishing up their Safety unit too, practicing the Three Ways to Stay Safe with stories about kids just like them.
Second grade is at different points because of snow days, but Mr. Magistro’s class finished their Safety unit, while Mr. Dean and Ms. Guthrie’s classes are almost there. Third graders kicked off a new unit on Growth Mindset and Goal Setting, learning about their amazing brains and how to set goals to improve their skills. Fifth graders completed the Puberty Workshop series, exploring new emotions and feelings. Sixth graders are discovering how the brain reacts to strong emotions.
What’s Coming Up Next Week?
PreK and Kindergarten will start their Feelings unit, learning about different emotions and what to do when feelings get really big. First grade will finish their Safety unit by watching a video about David, a boy who uses all the safety rules to stay protected.
Second grade will begin their Feelings unit and explore the Zones of Regulation to help manage emotions. Third grade will learn how practice helps us get better at anything we try. Fifth grade will have fun testing their puberty knowledge with Puberty Jeopardy, and Sixth grade will continue their deep dive into the brain and emotions.
Things to Remember
- Encourage your child to talk about their feelings and what they’ve learned about safety at home.
- Practice the Three Ways to Stay Safe together as a family.
- Recognize: Is it safe? Does it break a rule?
- Report: Tell an adult.
- Refuse: Say words that mean no.
- Support your child’s growth mindset by celebrating effort and progress, not just results.
Wrapping Up with a Smile
We’re so proud of all the hard work and curiosity our students are showing. Keep encouraging them to be safe, kind, and brave as they learn and grow. Here’s to another fantastic week ahead filled with learning, laughter, and lots of big feelings.