A Message from Your School Counselor

Dear BFS Families,

As we celebrate Counselor’s Week, I’d like to take a moment to share some exciting developments in the work I’ve been doing to support your child’s social-emotional growth here at BFS. It is both a privilege and a responsibility to be entrusted with helping guide students as they navigate their social, emotional, and personal development. In my time with your children over the past two years, I have learned so much from them, and I hope they have learned from me as well.

Transitioning to Wayfinder

One of the most exciting changes I’d like to highlight is our school’s transition from the Second Step curriculum to Wayfinder. This innovative, contemporary social-emotional learning (SEL) program is already being used by top international schools across the globe, and we are thrilled to be bringing it to BFS.

As part of this shift, I have been working closely with advisory teachers, the Student Council (STUCO), and parents to ensure we are gathering feedback and making the most of this curriculum for our students. More details and dates for these collaborations will be shared soon, so please stay tuned!

What is Wayfinder?

Wayfinder is a culturally responsive SEL curriculum that consolidates the two programs I have been teaching into one comprehensive approach. It allows us to more effectively address students’ needs across a variety of areas—from building self-awareness and emotional intelligence to identity and inclusion. 

Additionally, I will continue to gather ongoing feedback from both teachers and students, which I’ll be sharing with you, our parent community, in future updates. We are committed to creating an open dialogue with families throughout this process.

Strengthening Our High School Advisory Program

Each month, we’ll be focusing on social-emotional lessons to support students’ development and help them manage the complexities of their lives—both in and outside of school. This advisory program is an integral part of how we make our large high school community feel more connected and personalized for each student. The goal is to equip our students with the tools they need to succeed in an ever-changing world and ensure they have the resilience, empathy, and emotional intelligence to thrive.

Thank you once again for trusting me with the social-emotional well-being of your children. It’s a privilege to watch them grow and develop, and I am excited for what lies ahead as we continue to support their journeys.

Here are some other initiatives that were especially meaningful in serving our student body and fostering a culture of inclusivity:

  • Implemented and taught Identity curriculum (will be replaced with Wayfinder next year)
  • Facilitated parent workshops in partnership with local resources on mental health, providing tools and resources to support their children effectively. This year I was able to contribute to the new updated discipline policy to have a restorative practice approach and host restorative circles. This has significantly contributed to the overall culture of true inclusion.
  • Led small groups, held 1:1 sessions, and collaborated with community resources to bring various initiatives such as Mindfulness Day and Military Family awareness.
  • Collaborate with outside providers, such as NCIS on digital safety, yoga and mindfulness instructors, and local organizations, to bring a more holistic approach to the counseling department. 

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