Volunteer aides are providing valuable services in several district schools. Parents at the Dallas Elementary. Dallas Township Elementary, and Dallas In termediate schools have shared their time and talents to help improve the in- structional program ‘ Ars Ann \larie Niz kis coordinator of the progran tthe Dallas Township «chool Alps Niznik « resently coor- dinating the offorts of 29 parent volun- teers \t the Dallas Flementary School Mrs. ary Lou Swingle coordinates more than 20 volunteer aides and 10 substitutes. Two Mrs. Beverly Bunney, third-grade teacher, offers direction to Mrs. Doris Ide. volunteer parent aide. The Surgeon General's Advisory Committee Report declared smoking a ‘major health hazard and cause for national concern. Despite the constant warnings from the Public Health Service. American Cancer Sociely. National Heart Association, and many others--some forty- nin¢ million Americans still smoke. Dallas schools joined the fight in 1974. Principal of the senior high school. drew up for presentation to the School Board. one of the first anti-smoking clinics in operation in any local school. The volunteer aide program developed fron interest expressed by both teachers md parents. Parents who wanted to be nore involved in their children’s school were scheduled to work with teachers needing assistance with a specific project at that time This initial interest and rather simple beginning has grown into a program where parents provide a nultitude of varied and valuable services for teachers and childven: This program has opened lines of communication among ~tudents, parents and teachers. It also provided parents a greater opportunity to take an active part in the educational process of the Dallas School District Irom the positive reactions that are being generated by the program. it is evident tha! evervone who participated in it benefits ereatly. especially the students. Mrs. Susan Urbanas is assisting - Miss Cohen by checking some of the student's workbooks. clinic 1 the capable direction of Mr. Joseph Rakshys. Clinic Director. The goal is to allow the student smokers an opportunity to seriously study their habit in relation to the facts presented. Hopefully the students will either give up smoking or reduce their smoking to safer levels. and in acceptable locations. These voung people need the encouragement and support of their families. as well as of the school and the many health oriented agencies. Staff members have been pleased that several students completing the clinic have reported giving up smoking e assist the students with this activity. The innovative group counseling program at the Dallas Junior High School is presently in its fourth year of operation. Thomas Carr and Gordon Schlier. the guidance counselors, are presently conducting group counseling sessions with eight different groups. and additional groups will be formed the second semester. The students in these groups are volunteers. Youngsters meet in groups composed of 8 to 10 members, one period a week. for approximately 8 to 12 weeks. According to John F. Rosser, principal of the Dallas Junior High School, approximately 300 students in Grades 8 and Y have volunteered to participate in group counseling this year, which is an indication of how well this program has been received by the students. The objectives of counseling in the Dallas Junior High School, whether individual or group. are to assist: the individual in evaluating and understanding himself and to assist him in developing his abilities to make his own decisions wisely and to solve problems independently. Counseling is for all students and not just for the ones with work more intensively with them over ¢ longer period of time, and many students find it easier to discuss their thoughts anc feelings in groups than in individual counseling. Some examples of topics that are school adjustment, achievement, and relationships with peers, teachers, anc parents. In the group sessions, the counselor acts as the facilitator or leader The students themselves many times indicate what they wish to talk about anc the discussion is allowed to develop naturally, focusing upon ways own lives by learning or unlearning certain attitudes and behaviours. Dallas Junior High School is ar educatignal process that develop: decision-making skills and facilitates ir the students a deeper self-understanding and an acceptance of their own and othe; people's behavior. Dr. Benjamin Cohn; a nationally know: group counseling consultant, assisted the G thers are making serious attempts to > : oss : | foes hors are Ee oe ~ problems. Even the high-achieving ones development of the present program tha Tho ani o ide w tod by : 3 oo n ; Hy ny with . Hive need guidance in acquiring an now serves as a model for other junior higl ; i ho me ne ¢ me # ae Accep g > SE 5 ( m J i to 2 De understanding of their talents, aptitudes, schools than plan to initiate grou = Se on . be a and since. jis a ay i 8 a i ai Shin and potentialities. The group counseling counseling. Federal funds received unde > ro aQ N > . >: 1: Aue « A Se ¢ allds He : . . SNOT : 1 3 § | en hv prow = : ERE i ba sn is needed and vour program provides an opportunity for the ESEA Title III were used to organize rar 5 . pe > SE OC . 2 2 >ae JiR 1 i i : garnung program. Students jealigh igh hel AeiD Is neo eal) ith. counselor to meet with students and to implement. and document this program smoking in school are required to spend suggestions are welcome for dealing wi five one-hour after school sessions under smoking problems among students. 5 1 p ; | ~~ 5 ) ) S: 5 > 1 te th ot Meo Joseph Rakshyvs, smoking clinic instructor. uses apparatus to demonstrate the 3 J s A . aids . atin Pl Tanior high school students discuss group counseling program with counselors. Mr. | 0. Cordon Schlier, far right, and Mr. Thomas Carr, third from right. 2 : \ 4 -
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