Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome back! For those I have not yet been able to meet, my name is Kelly Bush and I am one of several members of the Assumption family that is here to support you and your student(s). I have various roles within the school: I teach Intro to Sociology – a college course through Scott Community College, I am the moderator of the National Honor Society (N.H.S.), and I moderate the Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D.) club as well.
I am a graduate of Assumption High School (1999) as well as The University of Notre Dame (B.A.) and St. Ambrose University (M.S.W.) where I graduated with a focus in mental health. In my role as the Director of Student Wellness, I serve as the social-emotional counselor for the school. My office is in E-1 and I am available to see students any time after first period.
For clarification purposes, the Academic Advisor is Mrs. Lynn Day. She supports students with all academic concerns (grades, class changes, transcripts, standardized testing, college applications, counselor recommendations) and her office is in Student Services. The one area of overlap between us is that I run a peer-tutoring program through the National Honor Society that begins the week of September 6th. Watch for more information on that program in next week’s blog.
Mrs. Tammy Quested is the Registrar of Assumption High School. In her role, she processes registration requests and manages academic records for students such as class schedules, report cards, locker assignments, and keeps a permanent record of grades for each student. She is also the keeper of the “senior bios” for college applications.
All three of us as – well as Mrs. Donica Mokosak in the front office are great places start when you have a question.
To see me, students may email me to make an appointment to talk or simply pop their head through my office door if they don’t see anyone else waiting to talk to me. Please read below for a brief synopsis of some of the ways I offer support to students.
Counseling: Ms. Bush provides brief, individual interpersonal counseling. Students come to see Ms. Bush for a variety of reasons including mental health concerns, loss of a loved one, safety concerns, conflict within their social circle, worry about a friend, parent sickness, personal stressors – and many more.
Small-Group Lessons: Ms. Bush visits student classrooms to deliver lessons on “self-care” and “social emotional skills.” Ms. Bush also visits classes upon teacher request to deliver lessons on specialized topics that correspond with the classes’ various intersecting topics.
All-School Education Campaigns: As the moderator of Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D.), Ms. Bush utilizes this student action organization to provide social-emotional education campaigns including Red Ribbon Week, Mental Health Awareness Week, and other student-led awareness campaigns.
Community and Connection: Students Against Destructive Decisions puts on a de-stress, community-building event called “AHS Unplugged.” For one hour on the Fridays before Midterms and Finals, students, faculty, and staff work together to put on this event with many activities for students to choose from. Common activities have included: therapy dogs, painting rocks, decorating cookies, watching movies, Zumba, Comedy Sportz Improv, karaoke, and many more.
Food and Feminine Products: Studies show that student learning is negatively impacted when his or her basic needs have not been met. Ms. Bush keeps low-sugar, protein-rich food as well as feminine products in her office. Ms. Bush also finds offering food and supplies gives some students an excuse to see her. Some students may be hesitant to walk into the counselor’s office because they want to avoid social questioning. Anxiety can also give students an upset stomach, so Ms. Bush often keeps crackers, ginger ale, and other things shown to be useful to reduce anxiety in her office.
Growth Activities: When the opportunity allows, Ms. Bush provides planned activities outside the classroom promoting academic, career, or social/emotional development. Public health permitting, Ms. Bush offers a field trip day for upperclassmen interested in the trades. In the past, students tour a local company and proceed to the Scott Community College Trades Fair (when offered).
Ms. Bush also collaborates with counselors in Davenport and Bettendorf to put on a College Fair. This year’s college fair will take place at Scott Community College’s Urban Campus (public health permitting) on Monday, October 9th from 5:30-7:00pm. More details to come.
Parent Education: Ms. Bush works with the other Scott County Catholic School counselors to offer parent education nights 2-3 times per year. Past topics have included: student anxiety, students and social media, and internet-savvy parents. Please let Ms. Bush know if you have suggestions for parent education night topics.
Family or Student Crisis Support: Ms. Bush is able to provide support and assistance to students and families as they navigate personal hardships. Please let Ms. Bush know of a prolonged student or parent illness, family hardship, student safety concerns, concerns about a change in medication, severe social anxiety, loss of a close family member, or of anything that you would like her to be aware of. Don’t assume the counselor knows! It’s better I’m told about the same issue by ten different people than for a student or family to be left feeling unsupported.
Referrals: Ms. Bush helps families find various mental health information and resources they need to assist their children. She may give guidance as to outside agencies and what is available regarding outside therapy services. (List below of community resources).
I look forward to seeing many familiar faces at various activities in the coming weeks and I also look forward to welcoming those of you who are new to us. Please don’t hesitate to email or call if you have concerns regarding your student. We’ll work together to find the solutions that work best for your child.
Warmest regards,
Kelly Bush
Director of Student Wellness