From the School Counselor 11/18/09
Today I’m feeling grateful about the many ways everyone here practices tolerance and seeks to create
group harmony. For example, last week we joined schools nationwide to celebrate “Mix it Up” day at
lunch. In 5th grade the tradition for eight years has been to get together by birthdays, discussing
positive and negative traits of each sign of the zodiac and discussing historical celebrities who share
the same sign. Seventh graders recalled enjoying these 5th grade activities with enjoyment and at
their suggestion the upper grades used horoscopes as well. I was happy to join the sixth grade,
which had been mixed up by color. In a “yellow dot” group I enjoyed a lively conversation that
included how we would spend a million dollars and how we might get our hands on that many
dollars through our work.
In kindergarten with Mr. Woodie students not only mixed it up at lunch but also were mixed up in
pairs to complete a remarkable cooperative unit. Each duo negotiated to complete a shared book on
mutual likes and dislikes. The students looked very professional in their working teams! I could just
see them growing up to be very highly evolved “movers and shakers.”
Under the direction of Ms. C., the entire student body has contributed to a cooperative mural spelling
out “Speak your mind even if your voice shakes,” to be posted soon. Coincidentally, assertiveness has
been a theme this month in a number of guidance classes classes. In Mrs. Heistad’s class we
practiced telling a classmate that we would prefer not to join a particular game, and talked about not
taking it personally when an invitation is politely refused. We explored a similar theme in 6th grade
this week, practicing “I statements” to communicate things that might be hard to say such as “When
you spread rumors about me, I feel upset and I’d like you to stop.” “I statements” will also be useful
for the 5th graders who are learning how to mediate conflicts. We are hoping to launch a pilot peer
mediation program later in the year. In third grade we’ve discussed kindness and honesty; in second
grade we reviewed good touch/bad touch.
Inspirational/motivational posters by the 7th graders are posted in the lobby and other places
around school. They are great! Students were given this in-class assignment as part of our study
skills curriculum since half the battle with homework is staying motivated. More recently in 7th
grade we’ve been discussing the issues of gossip and harassment, thinking about ways to avoid and
cope with this troubling and hurtful behavior. The students agree that the advisory program is
helping to promote a culture that discourages uncaring actions, but a deeper conversation on the
topic is also needed.
Two groups of fourth grade girls are meeting with me regularly in the G.I.R.L.S sessions to focus on
identity, self-esteem, communication, and relationships. Two groups of seventh graders are meeting
in the Seventh Up groups to focus on ways to achieve school success. I am looking into the
possibility of a divorce group, and planning other groups for later in the year.
As always, a number of students with social and academic concerns have come into the office for
individual and small group counseling. It’s always a pleasure to witness the skills they are able to
develop with a little support. Today I pointed out to a group of girls how far they’ve
come since last year. They’ve developed some strategies for working out social conflicts and while
there is plenty of work yet to be done I am proud of them.
A note to parents of 8th graders applying to private schools: please have your student give us the
recommendation requests as soon as possible. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Gail Malsin
School Counselor
11/8/09
Holiday Baskets
Once again PES will be offering Thanksgiving Food Baskets for local families in need. You can help
by providing $10 gift cards to local grocery stores or other food items. Please take a leaf from the
tree in the foyer with the needed item written on the back. Children should check with parents
before taking a leaf from the tree. Once you have purchased your item it can be placed under the
tree. Gift cards should be brought to the office. All items must be in by Thursday, November 19th.
Thank you in advance for your support. It is a time to be thankful and help out our neighbors! We
will also be doing our traditional food basket and gift card collection for families during December
holidays. Please stay tuned for more details. If you have any questions please be in touch with Gail
Malsin or Karen Heaton at 469-3250.
11/4/09
“Mix it Up Day” Tuesday, November 10
"Mix It Up” is a nationwide campaign that supports students who want to identify, question, and
cross any social boundaries that separate them from each other and seeks to help build inclusive,
welcoming learning environments. Building inclusive communities is something that we as educators
work on constantly. The Responsive Classroom and Developmental Design approaches are examples
of this type of work, which also takes place through such approaches as curriculum integration of
tolerance themes, and the classroom cooperative learning strategies used by our teachers.
From time to time it is useful to focus on themes of inclusion as a school, as we will on Tuesday,
November 10, "Mix it Up" day 2009. As in the past, Plainfield staff will be helping to mix student
seating at lunch and providing conversation starters. For further information about “Mix it Up” day
please visit www.tolerance.org.
Gail Malsin, M.Ed.
School Counselor
From the School Counselor 10/30/09
With the month-long New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) testing having completed
last Thursday we are able to move forward with a number of guidance and counseling efforts.
First on the agenda this week was working on the 8th grade transition to high school.
Representatives from Lebanon High School and Kimball Union Academy visited to present
information about their programs. If you missed this opportunity you will have another chance in the
spring at the LHS 9th grade parent to meet Anne Evensen (who is the new lead counselor at LHS) and
assistant principal Kristin Wilson. Those interested in meeting Rich Ryerson, director of admissions
at KUA, are invited to attend an open house; there is one scheduled for Saturday, November 7.
Applicants to private schools including KUA may want to consider using the Common Application to
simplify the paperwork tasks. And speaking of paperwork, we appreciate receiving the
recommendation forms as soon as possible in order to write the most thoughtful letters.
This has been Red Ribbon week. In seventh grade guidance class we watched a DVD entitled “Getting
Stupid” about the physiological effects of substances on the brain and in advisory Karen Heaton
showed all the seventh graders a video on the effects of tobacco. Seventh grade guidance classes
have also been working on motivational/inspirational posters, illustrating a quotation of their own
choosing. They are wonderful! Look for these in the hallways when you come in for conferences. And
speaking of conferences, feel free to invite me to attend your child’s conference if you feel my
attendance would be helpful. I am also available for appointments outside of conference times, so
please call me if you would like to schedule one.
A number of new group sessions will be starting soon. A G.I.R.L.S. group for fourth grade girls will
begin as soon as we have the permission slips back. All fourth grade girls are invited to meet in a
small group on Tuesdays to explore girl concerns. I am using the curriculum by Shannon Trice-Black
and Julia Taylor as a springboard and will tailor the meetings according to the girls’ needs. The girls
will need to give up one of their Tuesday recess times to participate but my expectation is that we
will have so much fun that the girls won’t care. Two groups of 7th grade students will be using some
of their study hall time on Wednesdays to meet in a solution-focused group to focus on ways to
increase success strategies for school.
In sixth grade classes we’ve focused on communication and “rules for fighting fair.” In fifth grade we
are looking at the possibility of starting a peer mediation program. I will be returning to the primary
grade classes as soon as possible to review topics covered last year and continue with the Second
Step curriculum we started last year.
It’s a pleasure to be part of the educational team at Plainfield School and to serve the needs of you
and your children. I hope that you will call or email me with your questions and concerns.
October 23, 2009
Notice for 7 and 8th Grade Families
(This notice was sent home as a letter on Wednesday, Oct. 21)
Although June 2010 and Plainfield School graduation seems far away, it won’t be long before our 8th
graders will be selecting courses for 9th grade. To prepare for this major transition and the choices
ahead, representatives from Lebanon High School and Kimball Union Academy have been invited to
provide information sessions next Monday, October 26 at 6:30 PM. The evening is intended primarily
for the 8th grade with the 7th grade families cordially invited.
The presentations will be held simultaneously and then repeated to allow families to gather
information from both schools. Each presentation will last for half an hour so if you attend both
sessions the evening will end at 7:30. The meetings will be held in the 7/8 Language Arts and
Science rooms.
Anne Evensen, who is the lead school counselor at LHS and in charge of 9th graders, will attend
along with Kristin Wilson, who is the assistant principal responsible for 9th grade. They’ve let me
know that they are bringing a lively PowerPoint presentation along with packets of information to
take home.
Rich Ryerson, director of admissions at KUA, will be offering information and handouts; you may
want to follow up with a visit to campus for one of the open houses. The next KUA open house is
scheduled for Saturday, November 7th.
I’m excited to begin the process of shepherding these spirited young people into the next phase of
their education, and I look forward to seeing you on Monday.
Gail Malsin M.Ed.
School Counselor
Oct. 9, 2009
The NECAP (New England Common Assessment Program administered in NH, VT, RI and ME)
standardized testing is in full swing. On Tuesday the eighth graders completed this series of
assessments while the seventh graders completed their series in the latter part of the week. Sixth
graders finished on Thursday and fifth graders began today. Over the next two weeks the third,
fourth and fifth grade students will also complete their series of tests and we will be done in time for
Open House.
This extensive testing program is federally mandated by the No Child Left Behind legislation and is a
significant way that we measure student progress. This assessment requires a great deal of effort on
the part of all the staff and the grade 3-8 students. We encourage you to explain to your children the
importance of giving relaxed but focused attention during this testing season to produce accurate
results reflecting true achievement levels. We ask students to work very carefully and thoroughly and
we also ask students to be patient if they are among the early-finishers. For security reasons the
test administration procedures, carefully outlined by the State Department of Education, are very
strict. We are required to set aside 90 minutes for each section of the test even though not every
student needs that amount of time, and we allow students to read quietly once they have finished.
If your child is scheduled for an appointment on a test day and it would be at all possible to
reschedule it, that would be great, since make-ups interrupt the academic program and are hard on
students.
Please feel free to contact me about any concerns.
Gail Malsin
School Counselor
October 2, 2009
The 7 and 8th graders who are participating in the Big Brother and Sister elective began to meet with
their assigned younger “siblings” this week. The current set of pairs will get together either on
Thursday or Friday through December 4. Now that the program is running on the trimester system,
we’ll have three sessions of the program. If your child isn’t involved there will be further
opportunities later in the year. There are always more requests for big siblings than the program is
set up to handle, so if a student is unable to take advantage of the program one time we try very
hard to meet the request in the next round.
Eighth grade families are reminded that on Monday, October 26 representatives from LHS and KUA
will be on hand to meet with you at 6:30 PM. I will be talking with 8th graders about their plans for
next year either in Health and Guidance class or in advisory. Any student who is interested in
applying to private school should contact the school to ask about application deadlines and testing
requirements. Also, if you think your child would benefit from receiving mail regarding the Johns
Hopkins Center for Talented Youth summer enrichment programs for gifted students, one way to get
on the mailing list is to take the SAT test. If you would like further information, please give me a call.
In 7th grade guidance classes we’ve explored the theme of conflict in tandem with the homeroom
advisors. Our interdisciplinary trip to the Hood museum enhanced these discussions as we explored
the Orozco murals and Felix de la Concha’s multimedia portraiture. Picnicking on the green provided
an opportunity to enjoy each other as a class. I was very gratified by the students’ thoughtful
responses to the exhibits. These students are deep and creative thinkers. We’ve also been working
on study skills and discussing school success strategies such as time management and organization.
We will be doing more with school success skills in weeks to come.
In 6th grade Guidance we finished discussing the career exploration booklets from last year and
students have been given these to take home. We are beginning to use a series of activities designed
to help students develop a sense of self, build collaboration skills, manage emotions, resolve
conflicts, resist peer pressure, and solve everyday problems. I am delighted to be working with each
sixth grade class every other week and really enjoying the thinking going on in these groups as well.
In first and second grade classes we’ve talked about the role of the counselor and visited with the
counselor’s furry seal puppets (Seymour and Lucille) who love to see students. My friend Impulsive
Puppy often comes along to class to encourage students to listen and participate in discussions
appropriately. We also read two stories about helpful friends.
In third, fourth and fifth grade classes we are (or soon will be) reviewing listening actively and
communicating effectively.
As noted in the principal’s notes, the NECAP testing has started and I am working with the special
education team and the teachers to ensure another successful test season. I am always happy to
hear from parents. Sometimes email is the best since it allows me to respond very early in the
morning or late at night. (gmalsin@plainfieldschool.org) In any case if you phone or email and fail to
receive a reply, please try again. Our communication is important to me.
Sincerely yours,
Gail Malsin
School Counselor
September 13, 2009
I've just watched the Sesame Workshop video "Families Stand Together" which aired on public TV this
week and is now posted online at:
http://www.sesameworkshop.org/toughtimes
The hourlong video features Elmo and his family coping with a job loss and lifestyle changes. The
site offers a number of resources for families.
September 11, 2009
It's gratifying to see all the smiles on students’ faces. Many students have told me how much they
are enjoying their new classes and teachers.
Guidance classes will begin in 6th grade next week and I will be doing lessons in the lower grades
before the end of the month. Seventh and eighth graders have received Health and Guidance
curriculum outlines this week and a homework assignment of obtaining parent signatures on the
outlines.
The New England Common Assessment Program testing for grades 3 through 8 will take place
between October 1 and 22. It would be very helpful if parents could avoid scheduling trips and
appointments during this period since every student must be tested and makeup sessions are hard
on the students. When we have settled the schedule for each grade we will make it available.
DATE CORRECTIONS:
Representatives from Lebanon High School and Kimball Union Academy will be available to offer
program information to 7 and 8th grade families on Monday, OCTOBER (NOT SEPTEMBER) 26, at 6:30
PM.
Seventh graders will visit the Hood museum the morning of Thursday, September 24. Look for a
notice being sent home with students. This week's newsletter incorrectly lists the date as September
26.
September 3, 2009
In several of the 7th and 8th grade Health & Guidance classes this week, Karen Heaton and I enjoyed
witnessing the collaborative efforts of the students as they’ve blended individual goals with those of
classmates to come up with a group statement of commitment to a positive learning environment,
building on the work they’ve been doing in homeroom/advisory. Karen works most often with the
8th graders in Health & Guidance classes, while I work more with the 7th grade classes, and we also
co-teach and switch off. I feel very fortunate to work in partnership with Karen since she’s
established the most outstanding Health program I’ve ever witnessed.
The 7th and 8th grade “Big Sibs” are beginning to meet during their weekly elective time and I am
developing a list of potential “little buddies.” Students who are not in “Big Sibs” first trimester may
be involved during one of the other trimesters.
Throughout the building I’ve had the pleasure of reconnecting with students on the playground, in
the classrooms, and in the hallways. The students who are new to our school seem to be fitting in
very well. Soon I’ll be visiting 1-6th grade classes to provide classroom guidance.
Homework has started; outside my office I’ve posted a Valley News column of suggestions written by
parent and teacher Deb Beaupre and I’m attaching a homework handout for your convenience.
I hope that you will always feel comfortable to contact me with your questions and concerns, either
by email (gmalsin@plainfieldschool.org), phone or in person.
August 26, 2009
Greetings from the Counselor
Hello! I’m delighted to be returning to Plainfield for the second year as your school counselor. I look
forward to working with your children to develop positive attitudes and goals, practice decision-
making and communication skills, and increase school success strategies. Right now I’m particularly
enthusiastic about the Developmental Design initiative taking shape in the middle school. All
teachers of middle school students are working to enhance student development and learning by
meeting needs for belonging, autonomy, competence and fun in a number of new ways. We
will also be able to integrate a number of our Health & Guidance curriculum goals through this
programmatic design.
Big Sister/Brother Program
Our in-school mentoring program will resume soon. Seventh and eighth grade students who choose
this elective will be paired with a student in grades 1 through 4. Students are selected based on
teacher input and participation is voluntary. The junior high students meet with me to train and to
brainstorm activities to share with their younger buddies. The meetings take place during the lunch
and recess time once each week for a trimester. This is a very rewarding program allowing the older
students to practice responsibility and the younger students to connect with an older friend and role
model.
If you have a particular interest in having your child participate, please send me a note or an email
(gmalsin@plainfieldschool.org) by Friday, Sept. 5th. If you have any questions, I hope you will call.
Gail Malsin, M.Ed.
School Counselor
June 23, 2009
Transition to High School
We wish the new graduates much success as they head to high school. As of tomorrow, career
portfolios will be available to pick up in the office with report cards.
Gusanoz, Conflict and Reconciliation
On May 29th the seventh graders visited Gusanoz restaurant and the Hood Museum of Art. Thanks to
Señora Allen, students enjoyed Mexican cuisine and the pleasure of dining together in a congenial
setting. Later, at the museum, two docents helped students to understand multi-media portraiture
in the exhibit by Lyme artist Felix de la Concha: Public Portraits/Private Conversations. The
installation explores the theme of “Conflict and Reconciliation” in the lives of local residents. This
interdisciplinary event culminated much of the year’s guidance work, with tie-ins to social studies,
language arts, and of course the arts. Students wrote thoughtful follow-through reflections
demonstrating connections they’d made to their own lives.
Memorial Day Ceremony
On May 29, John and Susan Gregory-Davis led a moving Memorial Day service for the school
community, which formed a circle in the gym. The program opened with Will Merchant’s rendition of
Taps followed by inspiring words from the Gregory-Davis’s. Each student and staff member who’d
recently lost a loved one came to the center of the circle to offer a memorial carnation and a second
grader honored the memory of our many beloved pets. Bill Fleming and retiring reading teacher
Joycelyn Alves played special roles in the ceremony: Bill stood up for the Veterans and Mrs. Alves
represented the eighth graders who were in transit to Montreal. Larry Wolkin led the school in a
traditional Celtic song to end the program.
Career Day May 1, 2009
Career Day was a brilliant success thanks to Stephanie Schell and the five panels of volunteer career
professionals who shared information with the seventh and eighth graders. It’s gratifying to see
students receive information and advice in such a dynamic, personal, and communitarian setting.
THANK YOU!
