The Chill

A Wellness Newsletter for Students

One of the things I took away from my internship as a school counselor is that there is just not enough hours in a day! The assumed goal to is tend to all students in need of support-- but with over 500 students and just two counselors, this was clearly a challenge. In an effort to reach every student and promote social emotional learning, I created a Wellness Newsletter. "The Chill" is the school's first publication for students. Every three to four months, through the school year, a new issue was released-- covering topics such as stress, relationships, gender, culture diversity, etc.

After the first issue was published, I was overwhelmed with the amount of positive feedback and participation from the students, teachers, and faculty. The Chill quickly became an outlet for discussion and expression. It initiated conversation about sensitive subjects and provided an opportunity to share traumatic stories, ultimately building stronger connections and support within the school community. 

So, here it is! The first edition of The Chill! Stay tuned next week for the 2nd issue focusing on Culture and Diversity!

The chill #1 final (1) from Alexandra Rupp

Mental Health in Schools

Mental Health in Schools from Alexandra Rupp

Collaborate Discussion: "What does it mean to be a Social Worker"

Social Work is a profession devoted to helping people to solve and cope with the challenges they face in their everyday lives. Professionals in this field are dedicated to facilitating change and shaping healthy social environments for individuals, families, and communities, particularly those who have been underserved and underrepresented.  Overall, Social Workers provide versatile, creative, and culturally sensitive service in a variety of settings and with diverse populations.

All exceptional Social Workers share the same values of service, social justice, respect, human relationships, integrity, ethical principles and competence while interacting with others.  Social Workers treat each person in a compassionate and respectful manner, being mindful of individual differences and cultural diversity. Keeping this in mind, a Social Worker provides services and assistance to empower, connect, and advocate for groups in society.

My passion for strengthening human relationships is an important principle of Social Work. I encourage people to collaborate their efforts with those who share similar beliefs and interests in the change they wish to accomplish. To me, Social Work is a broad profession dedicated to maximizing the well-being of society. As a Social Worker, I contribute to the increase of positivity in our surroundings. I work to alleviate the struggle or pain confronted by various groups in our society. A Social Worker is a person who possesses the appropriate empathy and rational thought and experience to help those in need!

Click here to see my post on "Why Social Work"

"Why Social Work?"

My First Year Internship experience as a School Counselor

Today was the last day of school for my students and the last day I had with them as their socio-emotional counselor. Working with high-trauma youth in Oakland has been the most enlightening experience of my life. On this bitter-sweet day, my students came to school an hour early to decorate my office, write me goodbye letters, and surprise me with an appreciation party. I never realized how much of an impact I had on these kids, but most of all-- how much of an impact they have had on me.

Before now, when people asked me “Why social work?” like many people, I answer with something along the lines of “I want to help people". I always knew I wanted a career in human services, but I could never find the words to fully explain why. Becoming a social worker was something that just seemed right, an unexplainable feeling that this is what I am supposed to do. Having a feeling is great (especially in this field), but I've been abstractly searching for a more definitive answer.

This experience has hit something inside me, and for the first time, I finally understand what being a social worker means in a logical way, not just an “it feels right” way, but why social work is the right profession for me.
Social work is acting out of love for strangers in tangible ways. We are made to represent love so that all people we encounter have a more profound sense of hope and faith within themselves. We do the hard, intimate, sometimes painful work, and in return bring a little more of the divine into life. We get to remind one another about the bigger, more beautiful picture that we can’t always see from where we are.

Sometimes in life, things take a bad turn and everything is not okay. One of the most profound gifts we can provide to those we work with is a safe place to be upset and the willingness to listen with perceptive compassion--because in the end, what more can we do? I can't go back in time and change the past...I can't make traumatic memories disappear, or the cruel beings who caused them...I can’t control the hurtful words that come out of a bully's mouth or the painful abuse that happens at home...And I can’t say that it’s never going to happen again or that everything will be okay. But-- I can be there, and I can listen. I can sit in silence in the moments of rage, knowing that everything is not okay, but that in this tiny moment--it is.

Thanks to my wonderful supervisor and all my middle and high school munchkins. You have encouraged my fervor in school counseling and I now feel confident as to why I am dedicating my career to serving youth in need. I couldn’t be more grateful for this experience and the amazing kids who allowed me to be a part of their life journey.