Welcome to Villa's Elementary Counselor's page!
August, 2008
Dear Villa Families,
Welcome to 2008-09 school year at Villa where something outstanding is always happening. I look forward to working with you and your children to help them be happy, healthy and successful students.
When you first inquired about bringing your family to VMA, you met me as the Elementary Admissions Director. I am the person who talked to you first on the phone, set up your visits, introduced your family to Villa, enrolled your children, and answered your many questions. In addition to this role as Admissions Director, I am also the Elementary Guidance Counselor and would like to explain to you some of what I do in this role with and for the children.
One of my first important objectives is to check that the new students to make sure they are adjusting to Villa and making friends. I meet with each student who is new in grades 2-8. Later, towards the end of the first trimester, I will arrange for the new students in grades 4-8 to meet with Mrs. Bosley and myself while we have a pizza lunch.
I have developed some lessons on social conflict resolution and bullying which are implemented with fourth and fifth grade students. I conduct these groups with the students in their classrooms. If you have a fourth or fifth grade student, your child may mention this.
I would like to make you aware of some programs which will be happening this school year:
Audiological Screenings
In October, I will be looking for several parent volunteers to help with audiological screenings which we will do with the children in kindergarten through third grade.
Everybody Counts
I will also need many parent helpers to help with the Everybody Counts program which I will be facilitating for the week of October 20-23 for all elementary students. Everybody Counts is an extensive program provided by The Point which helps children understand what it is like to have a handicap. Kindergarten has an introductory lesson and grades 1-8 each learn about a different handicap. Parents are needed to present these important lessons to each class. Please phone or email me if you are interested in helping with this valuable program. I will schedule follow-up speakers from the community for each grade level in November.
Student of the Month
I also coordinate Villa’s Elementary Student of the “Month” program throughout the school year. Teachers are asked to nominate a student who excels in several areas of our Benedictine Values. The first Student of the Month will be chosen from grades 5-8 for Stewardship. Then a Student of the Month will be chosen from grades K-4 for Stewardship. Other categories for Student of the Month include Scholarship, Friendship and Kindness, and Special Talents. The nominees are listed on the display board near the office and their pictures are displayed for a year.
Mix-It-Up Day
In October and November, I will be working with the seventh grade students who were chosen to attend the Creating Leaders Conference (CLC) last year. We will be organizing and supervising our Mix-It-Up at Lunch Day. The elementary children enjoy this day and will probably be talking about it at home.
Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP)
At various times throughout the year I have the opportunity to inform the eligible students of their nomination to the Duke Talent Identification Program (TIP). The qualified seventh grade students will be able to enroll in the fall. These students are in the top 5% in the nation on standardized tests. In the winter, the qualified fourth grade students will be able to enroll in the Duke fourth/fifth grade TIP. The fourth grade students must also be in the top 5% in the nation on their standardized tests.
These are a few of the programs I facilitate at Villa as the Counselor. Of course, I also work with individual students throughout the year. If you have concerns about your child’s emotional health, please call me at anytime.
I wish for your family a wonderful school year with many blessings. Take advantage of all that the Villa community has to offer you.
Best Regards,
Donna Klus
Elementary Counselor and Admissions Director
Congratulations 7th Grade Students for another great year of participation and accomplishments in the Duke TIP Program!
Duke University Talent Identification Program
This year 25 seventh grade students at Villa are invited to participate in the Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP). This program seeks to locate academically gifted seventh grade students. To qualify, a student must have scored in the top 5% of the national age-grade norms on a recognized standardized achievement test in verbal, mathematics, or composite. They will have the opportunity to take the ACT or SAT as seventh grade TIP participants. The students who are eligible for the 2007-08 TIP are Katie Averdick, Alec Bauscher, Morgan Case, Brooke Eliot, Rachel Fortner, Kirsten Giesbrecht, Annelise Glenn, Luke Hontas, Clay Jackson, Elsa Kennedy, Zachary Kenney, Meggie Lund,
Randy Lund, Kelsey McQueen, Olivia Minella, Megan Monohan, Meredith Moser, Courtney Motley, Rachel Motley, Bahar Pahlevani, Maddy Plummer, Anisah Rafi, Mia Rosado, Natalie Spicker, and Molly Stoddart.
Congratulations to these students for this outstanding achievement!
Of these 25 students, the 10 students who chose to participate in the Duke TIP by taking either the ACT or SAT are Brooke Eliot, Rachel Fortner, Kirsten Giesbrecht, Meggie Lund, Randy Lund, Olivia Minella, Megan Monohan, Courtney Motley, Rachel Motley, and Bahar Pahlevani. Of these 10 students who participated, four qualified for the State Recognition ceremony at Western Kentucky University on May 30 by scoring very competitively on these college entrance tests. The four students who are receiving State Recognition are Kirsten Giesbrecht, Meggie Lund, Randy Lund, and Megan Monohan. Congratulations to these outstanding Villa students!
In addition, special congratulations to Megan Monohan who is receiving Grand Recognition at the Grand Ceremony to be held at Duke University, Durhan, NC on May 19, 2007!!!