Peer Counseling Guideline Changes

Dear Bayside Parent,

Changes have been made to the Peer Counseling Program! In order to be eligible to sign up for Peer Counseling Essentials (PC IA) for the Fall Semester 2010, your child must fill out an application packet and return it to the School Counselor’s office by the end of the school day on Monday February 8th! Be sure they fill out all parts of the application packet before they turn it in. Applications are available in the School Counseling office.

Also, please keep in mind the following guidelines for enrollment and advancement in the Peer Counseling program at Bayside Academy:

To be enrolled in PC IA (Essentials of Peer Counseling), a student must:
• Have parental permission
• Be a rising Junior
• Must fully complete an application packet including: an essay on why they think they would be a good match for the program and two letters of recommendation from Bayside Faculty/Staff
• Adhere to the National Association of Peer Programs Code of Ethics
• Complete an orientation with the School Counselor and the current PC I students

To be enrolled in PC IB (Advanced Topics in Peer Counseling), a student must:
• Complete PCIA with a grade of at least a “B”
• Complete all assignments fully and on time in PCIA
• Participated in class discussions in PCIA
• Maintained confidentiality of class discussions in PCIA
• Attend 90% of all Monday lunch SADD meetings unless excused by the School Counselor
• Continue to adhere to the Code of Ethics
• Not receive a grade below a “C” in any academic class during Semester I

To be enrolled in Peer Counseling II a student must:
• Be a rising Senior
• Have satisfactorily completed PCIA and PCIB
• Have a GPA of at least 2.5
• Complete a formal interview with the School Counselor assessing personal strengths and weaknesses as related to the duties of Peer Counseling
• Continue to adhere to the Code of Ethics and sign a contract
• Not receive a grade below a “C” in any academic class during the previous semester
• Attend 90% of all Monday lunch SADD meetings unless excused by the School Counselor

Regards,
Amanda L. Hembree, MS
School Counselor and Peer Counselor Coordinatorelor Coordinator

Happy New Year!

OK, I'll admit it, I was late to work this morning! But for good reason, on this literally freezing morning I acquired a flat tire. After calling roadside assistance, we discovered the cold weather had made my spare tire flat and the roadside guy had lent his compressor to his brother. My point to this, other than seriously wondering if my hands are frostbitten, is that we should all take a moment to make sure our vehicles are in good working order (including spare tires) and to make sure you bundle up your children! Safety first, ALWAYS!

On that note, and thinking that Santa may have slipped many an iPhone under many a tree within the past month, Common Sense Media has a great article on setting parental controls on your new favorite tech device.

Speaking of cell phones and safety first, one of Bayside's active families (the Citrins) have teamed up with other members of the community to present Gulf Coast Alive at 25, hosted by the Citrin Safety Foundation. This event will take place on Saturday February 27th at the Daphne Civic Center. Alive at 25 is a highly interactive, four-hour safe driving program for ages 15-24. Thanks to the Citrin Safety Foundation, this program will be offered for FREE and may also help earn your teen discounts on car insurance. The training will teach young adults:

• Why they often underestimate risk
• The effects of inexperience, peer pressure and such distractions as cell phones, texting, MP3 players, and GPS units
• State and local driving laws and regulations
• Communication skills for assertiveness and being a young leader
• Responsibilities of passengers

Common Sense Media also has a new article this week on the dangers of in car electronics you can check out.

Next week, I will be updating you all on the recent activities of the Drug Education Council of Mobile, who will be honoring local students for their Red Ribbon Week projects on Monday and the Community of Concern Leadership Symposium. Until then, be safe and stay warm!