Here’s what’s happening this week for the Post-Secondary/Counseling center! Please also see the attached information.
UPCOMING COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVE VISITS: Sign-up in the Post-Secondary center
- Montana State University (Bozeman): October 2 @ 8:30am
- Columbia University (New York): October 3 @ 2pm
- Colorado Mesa University (Grand Junction): October 8 @ 2pm
- University of Montana: October 8 @ 11am
- Quest University (British Columbia): October 8 @ 2pm
- Willamette University (Oregon): October 9 @ 9am
FAIRS:
- @ Aspen, Western Slope College Fair: October 6th: www.cwscollegeoutreach.org
- @ DHS October 7th: Military Night
Take the ASVAB at DHS on November 5 from 8-12. Sign up in the Post-Secondary Center.
SOURCES OF STRENGTH UPDATE:
Your DHS Counselors would like to share some background and updates on Sources of Strength, a national, upstream, suicide prevention program recently adopted by 9R. Sources of Strength represents a new tool in our ongoing effort to educate students and staff about risk and protector factors paramount in preventing suicide and cultivating resilience in young people. There are several important components to Sources of Strength we wanted to highlight. First, it is considered ‘upstream’ prevention because it aims to move back from a crisis-driven, reactive model to one that seeks to influence and educate students well before they face a crisis that might compel them to contemplate suicide. Second, Sources of Strength relies on a group of trained peer leaders and staff to develop positive, peer-led, socially-informed campaigns that focus on student voice, highlight student strengths and promote help-seeking behavior during difficult times. Finally, Sources of Strength is rooted in Positive Psychology, an approach that acknowledges that while most adolescent brains are hardwired for negatively, teens can be trained to look for and notice positive moments in their lives.
Last week, adult mentors and students from Escalante Middle, Miller Middle, Mountain Middle, Big Picture High School, Durango High School and district staff were trained to facilitate Sources of Strength on their respective campuses. This Monday, Link Leaders facilitated a discussion with ninth graders during Advisory, while Advisors in grades 10-12 asked students to graph strengths and deficits so they could identify and articulate the strengths on which they rely. Finally, recognizing the value of having faculty and staff understand their own sources of strength, staff will receive an in-service so they are familiar with the philosophy and core tenants of the program and its value in promoting adult/professional resilience and growth.
It is our pleasure to work with your student. As always, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Natalie Bertrand - Academic Advisor, class of 2021
Sean Hembree - School Counselor, classes of 2021 and 2023
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