B.F. Day Earns Prestigious Counseling Recognition 23-24

The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) announced B.F. Day as a Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP). The school is the first in the district to achieve the designation.

The RAMP designation recognizes schools that are committed to delivering an exemplary school counseling program. Honorees are awarded for aligning their program with the criteria in the ASCA National Model, a framework for a data-informed school counseling program.  

B.F. Day Principal Natalie Zisko expressed her admiration for the school’s counselor, John Taylor. Read Full Post on the District News Page!

Message from Mr. Taylor

Hello B.F. Day Community,

Earlier this week (March 2024), our school counseling program at B.F. Day was Recognized for a Comprehensive American School Counseling Program (RAMP). This recognition is awarded to programs that exhibit evidence of how each student received academic, social/emotional, and career development. One of the components of the RAMP application is showing how students benefited from our school counseling program. For the application, we showed how four academic lessons in fourth grade (academic anxiety, organization, time management, and academic mindfulness) raised student scores on unit tests. In addition to raising their test scores, students also reported increased knowledge of their own academic anxieties, helpful strategies to cope with those anxious feelings, and an understanding of the intersection between organization and time. This brings to light how social-emotional learning works alongside academic confidence and achievement.

I want to say thank you for all the support and recognition. Our school community has provided me with an opportunity to be at B.F. Day full-time for the past 8 years! Without the ongoing support and funding for my position, this kind of honor would not be possible. This recognition is a celebration for all of us. Together, we’ve done great work in supporting the social-emotional wellness of our students. 

Thank you,
John Taylor

Counseling Program

“The elementary school years set the foundation for developing the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary for children to become healthy, competent and confident learners. Elementary school counselors have an impact on these years by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program and collaborating with school staff, parents and the community to create a safe and respectful learning environment.” (American School Counseling Association, 2017)

Please note*  I provide brief solution focused therapy I do not provide long-term therapy.

Counseling Program Goals

1. Empower students to be the best version of themselves, both academically and emotionally.
2. To provide social and emotional support by supporting students and teachers in the explicit teaching of life skills through one on one counseling, group counseling, and classroom guidance lessons.

Basic Services 

1. Classroom Guidance Lessons to every classroom every week
2. Small Group Counseling: to expand, enrich, and reinforce specific skills in areas such as social skills, emotion management, divorce support, anxiety, problem solving.
3. Individual Counseling: to address specific needs of individuals who may need additional support.
4. Supporting students and families who are in crisis

Additional Services 

• Academic Problem Solving
• Connecting Families to Community and Mental Health Resources
• Collaborating with Teachers
• Collaborating with Families
• Assisting with School Transitions
• School-wide Anti-Bullying Efforts
• Assisting with implementation of the BF Day Way.

Resources/Curriculum 

We utilize resources and curriculum from a variety of sources including:

• Second Step Social-Emotional Curriculum
• RULER (mood meter)
• Sound Discipline: Positive Discipline

How to Access Services 

Anyone can access or request services for a student if concerns arise. Those who typically refer students to the counselor are:

• Families
• Teachers
• Administrators
• Specialists
• Students (self-refer)

How? Simply call 206-252-6016 or email Jrtaylor@seattleschools.org your concern.

Online & Community Resources

• Puget Sound Adlerian Parenting Calendar: A great online resource for parenting classes, support groups, and parent education events in the local area.
• SENG: Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted: A resource to help families of academically advanced students meet emotional needs and challenges.
• Books that Heal: A bibliotherapy blog with children’s books on various topics to help address emotions, development, and life’s changes and challenges.
• Parents Helping Parents: A nonprofit parent-directed family resource that provides guidance, support, and services to children with special needs and their families.

Life Skills Classes with Mr. Taylor

At B. F. Day elementary we believe that social emotional learning skills are at the heart of academic growth, thriving relationships, intentional decision making, and well-being.

This priority can be seen in the opportunity I have to teach students weekly social emotional lessons in my “life skills” class. It has been proven that teaching students these “soft skills” (empathy, problem solving, coping strategies, growth mindset etc.) build the foundation for current and future success.

In years past I visited each classroom every week to teach social emotional lessons, this year I will have my own “space” to teach our kids skills to help them cope with this ever-changing world. Like when students visit the P.E. or Art, students will receive instruction to support the development of their social and emotional skills.

I will predominately be using Committee for Children’s Second Step social-emotional curriculum. Second Step is an evidenced based curriculum that has shown to support students intrapersonal and interpersonal skills, as well as increasing academic performance! I look forward to supporting students and families this school year. In addition to doing whole class instruction I will continue to have small group sessions for our kids.

Breathing Strategies to try with your kids at home

1. With your child, stick out your right hand holding all five fingers out. Now pretend your fingers are tops of a roller coaster and the bottom of your fingers are the bottom. Using your other hand trace each finger; take a slow inhale going up the rollercoaster then a deep breath going down the roller coaster for each finger. You should have at least five “roller coaster breaths”. During my lessons with the kids we will usually finish with this strategy, so they may be able to help teach you!
2. Another strategy is using a breathing buddy. Lay on your back, put a favorite stuffed animal on your tummy, and watch that animal slowly move up and down as you inhale and exhale. Do this together — it’s playful and helpful for the whole family. From Sesame Street: Elmo Learns to belly breath.

Growth Mindset

A growth mindset is the belief that individuals who believe their talents and skills can be developed through hard work, learning from mistakes, and not giving up.

This is counter to a fixed mindset, which tells us that our skills and abilities are fixed and innate.

When I visit classrooms, the focus will be on the importance of continuing to try hard things (even if we don’t want to) and understanding that every time we display a growth mindset our brain “stretches” that much more. ~ John Taylor, MA Ed., School Counselor