Francis Marion Intermediate

FMI Guidance Program

Jamie Shields, Guidance Counselor
Contact Information at FMI: 373-4766 ext. 5126
FMI hours (M-W 12:00-3:30, T-Th-F 7:30-11:00) Emerson Contact Information: 377-0183 ext. 3322

Links:
A family guide to keeping youth mentally healthy and drug free
http://family.samhsa.gov/default.aspx

Internet safety
www.netsmartz.org

Anti-bullying
http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/kids/

As the guidance counselor at Francis Marion Intermediate School, I am involved in conducting classroom guidance activities, meeting with students individually and in small groups, and talking with parents and teachers about student concerns.

• One week I will meet with all the 4th grade classes for forty minutes and the following week I will meet with the 5th graders.
• For the first two months of the year we focus on learning and practicing conflict resolution skills.
• Towards the end of October we shift to thinking about decision making and dealing with peer pressure in conjunction with our red ribbon week. During this week students are encouraged to say "No" to drugs and alcohol and be involved in a variety of positive activities.
• As we approach the holidays we discuss character qualities such as kindness and giving. The students are encouraged to look for opportunities to do random acts of kindness for their classmates, friends and family.
• In January and February tolerance and celebrating diversity are the topics. We view some excellent videos that are designed to help students appreciate our differences as well as understand the serious consequences of prejudice and discrimination.
• In the spring, we talk about getting to know themselves, their strengths, interests and abilities and what possible careers they might be interested in. Along with this we discuss goal setting and adjusting to change.
• Sportsmanship is our topic as we near track and field day.
• I also address specific needs of a classroom as they arise and continually emphasize showing mutual respect to each other.

Adjusting to changes in the family (divorce, etc.), and developing social skills are the two main types of small groups I have throughout the year. These groups consist of 4 to 6 students who are working on the same skill or are experiencing a similar life circumstance. I encourage them to share their feelings, be a positive support to each other and learn coping skills to deal with what life brings. Things shared in small groups and in individual counseling are confidential except for situations where the students' or others' safety is involved. I strongly encouraged students to discuss with their parents the things we talk about at school. I am not a therapist but see myself as the student's advocate and part of their support system, dealing with anything that affects their learning here at FMI.