President’s Letter: Focus on Emotions

Welcome to May, Massachusetts school counselors! My photo this month comes from the “Positivity Campaign” that my school started during the school closure. Faculty and staff were asked to send photos with positive messages, and the principal compiled these into a collage to share with students. It is one example of how schools are focusing primarily on the social/emotional needs of students, faculty and staff for the first time.

While our jobs have changed drastically during the school closure, our focus as counselors has always been on the emotional well-being of our students. And despite the uncertainty and fear surrounding this pandemic, I am sure that some positive changes will stay with our schools after it ends. Caring for everyone’s emotional well-being is one of those changes. Appreciating and using technology is another. And appreciating what we have in our school buildings is still another.

If you are afraid, anxious or just sad, this issue of the online newsletter is geared toward self-care. I hope that some of the content can help support you in these uncertain times.

Also, MASCA is offering many new opportunities for reading and professional development. I hope that you have been able to take advantage of some of these programs.

I pray that you are safe and healthy, and that we are all back at school.

Contact Barbara W. Meyer, MASCA president 2019-20, at b_meyer@stoughtonschools.org.