Bob Lewis Elementary School
Counselor's Spot

Sid Lawrence, Counselor
Grades: K, 2nd & 4th

sidlawrence@nisd.net

Biographical notes

A resident of San Antonio most of my life, I attended school in Edgewood ISD and private school. I have worked in many job situations: a tax examiner for IRS, a research chemist and quality control chemist, an instructor of Saudi airmen, an inspector for health departments, a security guard, an office manager, an outside salesman, a construction laborer, a cook, a janitor and a photographer.
My time outside of work is also filled with a wide variety of activities: gardening, carpentry, a garden pond, fishing, hunting, reading and, of course, photography. My wife and I are both very involved with the Lions Club and our church. I get a lot of enjoyment out of any time I am able to spend with my grandsons.

Personal:

Born and raised in Texas
Married to a middle school counselor
2 children who are graduates of Northside schools

Education:

B.A. - The University of Texas at Austin
M. Div. - Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Teacher Certification - North Texas State University
M.S. and Counselor Certification - Our Lady of the Lake University

Professional Experience:

Thirty years in education in both private and public schools
Seven years teaching high school science
Twenty three years in NISD as a school counselor

Bob Lewis Elementary's Guidance Program offers many services that assist students in acquiring knowledge and skills necessary for healthy development. The Guidance Department recognizes that parents, school personnel and the community each have important roles to play and valuable resources to contribute in assisting students with their development. Currently, the school has the services of three counselors. Mr. Lawrence and Mrs. Gallo implement the four components of the NISD Comprehensive Guidance Program, including guidance lessons taught during regular visits into the classrooms and counseling with individuals and small groups.

The "Leopard Pride" Program

There is an incentive program used to encourage positive behavior among students at Lewis. Students who are "spotted" doing something good may receive a coupon which affords them a chance to win prizes from time to time. Lewis Leopards demonstrate a lot of pride in their behavior.

Six Pillars of Character

Trustworthiness
    Respect
   Responsibility
Caring
   Fairness
Citizenship

Students at Lewis Elementary are being taught that it is not enough to grow bigger and stronger on the outside. It is also important to grow strong on the inside, that is, to develop strong character. It is strong character that helps us make good choices, and the whole school has learned about the Six Pillars of Character. Students are learning to listen to their consciences and to experience better consequences as a result of making better choices.

Jazzy also says: "Goal Setting is a Key to Success!"

    Students at Bob Lewis are learning the importance of turning wishes and dreams into goals by making plans and being willing to work hard. Students and staff will be working together to make dreams come true.
    The NISD Goal Setting Program is designed for students to set, implement, and evaluate personal goals related to learning, service, and/or responsibility. It is organized around the goal setting process and is implemented by trained educators with the support of parents, community members, staff, and peers.
    The NISD Advisory Program enables students to belong and contribute to a community, apply the goal setting process, and develop academic, personal, social, and career competence.

Classroom Guidance Topics

I visit the classrooms for my grade levels on a day of the 8-day rotation schedule to present lessons on a variety of topics. All classes do not receive these lessons at exactly the same time because of interruptions due to holidays, meetings, school wide events, early release days, etc. Following is a list of anticipated topics.

Grade Title (& format) Major theme(s)

K Capt. Blooper's Pirates
(Duso: puppet & storybook) (Duso the dolphin) Cooperation

K Blooper's Cake (Duso) Working together until the job is finished

K Pirate in a Cowboy Hat (Duso) Tolerating Differences

K Frowny Brown (Duso) When it comes to having friends,
the most important thing is not how
we look, but how we act.

K The NO Show (video)
Say "No" to drugs

K Scaredy Cat (book)
Coping with fear

K The Box (Duso) Coping with adversity

K Gordon and Molly (Duso) Social skills

K When Sophie Gets Angry (book) Coping with anger

K 10 Things to do Instead of Hitting (video) Anger management

K Choices Count (video)
Choices and the Pillars of Character

K Choices Count (video) Choices and the Pillars of Character

K Thaddeus Platypus (Duso) Trying one's best

K The Box (Duso) Coping with adversity

K Too Smart for Strangers - a (video)
Personal Safety

K Too Smart for Strangers - b (video) Personal Safety

K Watermelon Contest (Duso)
Working fast enough, but not too fast

2
The Bears Get in a Fight (book)
Anger management

2
Amazing Malika (video)
Anger management

2
Angry? 10 Ways to Cool Off (video) Anger management

2
Cartoon All-Stars (video) Say "No" to drugs

2
Kelso's Choices: Big/Small Problems
Decision making

2
Kelso's Choices Decision making

2
Choices Count (video) Choices and the Pillars of Character

2
Choices Count (video) Choices and the Pillars of Character

2
Donald Learns a Lesson (book)
Goal setting

2
Word's Can Hurt (video) Social skills

2
Mickey Finds a Kitten (book)
Growing up

2
Too Smart for Strangers - a (video) Personal Safety

2
Too Smart for Strangers - b (video) Personal Safety

2
Piggy Monday (book)
Social skills

4
Cinderelma (book) Goal setting

4
All About Anger (video) Anger management

4
The UglyDuck (book) Tolerating Differences

4
Just Say No (video) Say "No" to drugs

4
Twee, Fiddle and Huff (video) Coping with alcohol abuse

4
Sabrina Stops Sneezing (book)
Tolerating Teasing

Parenting Resource Center

Effective parents find it helpful to put a new "tool" into the "parenting tool box" from time to time. At Bob Lewis Elementary, we have established a Parenting Resource Center in the Library. This is a collection of books, videotapes and audio tapes which are available for checkout. Parents are invited to take advantage of these materials.

List of Resources

(A list will be posted soon. Please, check back.)