Visiting Programs

Would you like to visit another program? Let us help! We can give you information on like-size programs, etc. and provide contact information for you to connect.

The Importance of Group Counseling

THE IMPORTANCE OF GROUP COUNSELING
Group counseling is a vital direct service to students and is an effective part of a school counseling program. It has a positive effect on academic, career and social/emotional development and should be supported by school administration and school districts.

The Rationale
Group counseling, which involves a number of students working on shared tasks and developing supportive relationships in a group setting, is an efficient, effective and positive way of providing direct service to students with academic, career and social/emotional developmental issues and situational concerns. Group counseling has been shown to be effective in improving study skills (Kayler & Sherman, 2009), underachievement (Berger, 2018) and school adjustment (Steen, Liu, Shi, Rose, & Merino, 2018). Group counseling can help reduce social isolation and negative emotions, as well as increase positive peer relations and a sense of belonging. In group counseling, affect, cognition and behavior are emphasized. The group creates a climate of trust, caring, understanding and support that enables students to share their concerns with peers and the school counselor. Group work in schools represents an integral domain in the ASCA National Model (Erford, 2019; ASCA, 2019).

Summary
Group counseling is an efficient and effective way to meet students’ academic, career and social/emotional needs. Group counseling makes it possible for students to achieve healthier academic and personal growth in a rapidly changing global society. Group counseling is an integral part of a school counseling program and should be supported by school administrators and school districts. The school counselor’s training in group process benefits students, families, school staff and administration. Group counseling has a positive effect on academic achievement and personal growth.

https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Standards-Positions/Position-Statements/ASCA-Position-Statements/The-School-Counselor-and-Group-Counseling

Tree-Plenish

TREE-PLENISH
Looking for a community event for your students? Tree-Plenish Is a youth-led non-profit that works with high school students across the country to help them host tree-planting events in their communities. Our organization is committed to making a more equitable impact in the urban communities with whom we partner. This past year, we worked with over 300 schools to plant more than 45,000 tree saplings across the country.

Tree-Plenish™ is always looking to connect with more schools, and there is zero cost to the school.  Here is a link to their website.

Program Highlights

Ponca City Wildcat Academy

Ponca City Wildcat Academy - These goals were established by students at the beginning of the FY24 school year.   Wildcat Academy Director, Ms. Streeter talks about the students first goal of forming positive relationships with each other and teachers.  Students say, "I have never had a teacher stand up for me before." Ms. Streeter also stated forming positive relationships with students, at the beginning of their academy journey is one of the staffs most important goals to ensure student success.

The Welcome Home sign is displayed above the door when you enter the academy, it was also the student’s idea, they painted the Welcome Home sign and take pride knowing they are part of a family unit here. Students say, "It is a safe place and feels like home should."  Students like to come to school and feel comfortable and safe.  The new positive wall was created by the student leadership team at the academy and is used for random acts of kindness.   Students look for their names daily on the wall. 

Ms. Streeter is thankful for the Wildcat library and the budget from administration each year for books. Reading is a big part of the positive behavior interventions system for these students.  Students make a book wish list at the beginning of the year and are also in charge of organizing and caring for the library.   

Sallisaw Black Diamond Academy

Sallisaw Black Diamond Academy - On March 28th Black Diamond Academy, after being awarded a Performing Arts grant from the Oklahoma Arts Council, went to see To Kill A Mockingbird at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We dubbed this day, A Day To Remember. ICTC kicked in and their cosmology department did hair, nails and makeup for our students. Cherokee Nation kicked on and paid for our meal at Carrabba’s Italian Grill. The students experienced a once-in-a-lifetime experience as we got to sit on the second row from the stage. It was a phenomenal day, and one the students will never forget. Thank you to OAC, ICTC, Cherokee Nation, Celebrity Attractions, Sallisaw School administration, and Carrabba’s Italian Grill Tulsa for making this a day to remember for Black Diamond Academy and Sallisaw School students. We hope to have many more adventures in the coming years, thanks to the Oklahoma Arts Council.

Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Don't miss out
on future newsletters!
Subscribe today

Alternative Education Contact Information

• Missy Corn, Alternative Education Project Manager, missy.corn@sde.ok.gov,   (405) 831-1242
• Leslie Frazier, Alternative Education Project Manager, leslie.frazier@sde.ok.gov, (405) 570-5994
• Michelle Butler Alternative Education Field Specialist, michelle.butler@sde.ok.gov, (405) 397-9783