OPS Counselors' Corner: Happy to Help!
  • Home
  • Programs
  • About/Contact
Picture

​
​The Way of the Panther

This year's theme takes our students on a journey exploring various behaviors and values that make up The Way of the Panther.  Each week, a different expectation is highlighted in the morning announcements, such as "A Panther walks quietly in the halls, respectful of the learning happening around them" and "A Panther helps to keep the school clean by picking up trash and throwing it in the proper receptacle."  The Way of the Panther aims to unify our community expectations of ourselves and each other. 

OPS has a new counselor!  Please welcome Mrs. Heather Brown-Huston!  Check out her bio, coming soon to the About/Contact page. 

In the meantime, please feel free to look through the blog posts for information on a variety of topics.  If you're looking for information about counseling resources in the OPS area, click here for emergency mental health hotlines, as well as a list of psychotherapy providers used by other OPS families. 
​​
PLEASE NOTE: If you or a family member are experiencing the signs or symptoms of a mental illness and feel you are in crisis, call 201-262-HELP (4357) or dial 911.  ​

No Name-Calling Week: Jan 20-24, 2020

1/20/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
Founded in 2004 with Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing and funded by GLSEN, No Name-Calling Week was inspired by James Howe’s novel The Misfits about students who, after experiencing name-calling, run for student council on a No Name-Calling platform.  Today, the campaign takes on many forms depending on the ages of students at each school.

For OPS, and because this is also the week after Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, No Name-Calling Week is focusing on raising awareness about stereotypes.  Participating classes may choose to read a story, show a video, or do an activity designed to foster a conversation about the many stereotypes we all learn from the incessant messages inherent in various media received daily, and instead celebrate our uniqueness as individuals.

Research shows children start to apply race stereotypes and gender stereotypes as early as three years old.  While it's normal for humans to categorize things in order to make sense of the world, categorizing people has been shown to have significant negative effects for both the labelled and the labeler.  Studies have consistently found that when negative stereotypes are addressed immediately and in the moment, the impact of the stereotype is minimized on all involved.  When coupled with language and activities that celebrate individual differences, "identity-safe" environments can be cultivated.

Please be sure to ask your children about how their class is celebrating No Name-Calling Week.  At home, take the time to point out whenever you hear or see examples on TV, radio, the internet, in stores, or from others that either perpetuate or counteract stereotypes.  Raising awareness about stereotypes is an important first step to ridding our society of these labels and limitations.  After all, it's impossible to label others without also limiting ourselves.  And when it comes to our children, limits is not something we ever want them to feel.
  
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Author

    All blog posts written by Rima Mason, MA, LPC unless otherwise noted.

    Blog list by title

    2023-2024 year:
    • My Special Gifts
    2020-2021 year:
    • Culture/Diversity/ Racism
    • Resilience Part 2
    2019-20 year:
    • Resilience
    • Children and Grief
    • Talking About COVID-19
    • No Name-Calling Week
    • It's Not Just You! (Encore)
    • Anger Comes Second
    • SEL and Open Circle
    2018-19 year:
    • OPS HEROs
    • Turkey-Grams!
    • Captain Snout
    • Be Brave Bingo!
    • It's Not Just You!
    • Mental Health Awareness Month

    Archives

    December 2023
    May 2021
    September 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    September 2019
    May 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018

    Categories

    All

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Programs
  • About/Contact