Laurie Etnyre

Laurie EtnyrePark View and Bondy intermediate schools713-447-9329

"This program is a great opportunity for students to be able to discuss things they may not feel comfortable discussing at home," said Laurie Etnyre, Dobie's student support counselor."My goal is to get them to have a better sense of who they are in a positive way."

The groups are held once every week, with students attending the groups on the same school day but during a different class period every week.Etnyre and counselors emphasize that the groups are not a way for students to skip out of class.

"These groups are a real need," Etnyre said."They are not just a way for students to get out of class.We've only had a couple of students drop out because they realize that we actually work in the groups."

Etnyre has been Dobie's student support counselor for four years, and STEER has been a part of Dobie's curriculum for five.Etnyre has expanded the program by adding more groups.If enough students express a need to her, then she will add a group to assess that need if she feels it is appropriate.

Different support groups include groups for grief, anger, divorce and self-esteem as well as other areas of emotion.STEER also provides a share group where students discuss a number of different issues.There isn't one particular topic for the share group, and Etnyre says that relationships are frequently discussed.

"I find that the students begin talking a lot about relationships with their parents, other peers, boyfriends and girlfriends, teachers and other relationships they have a hard time expressing their feelings about," she said.
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Etnyre says the teachers also have to learn the dynamics of a group.She says that groups consistently follow a formation and teachers have to be in tune with it.

Communication is a key skill that Etnyre also teaches the students in a group.She believes that it is a skill that must be learned and it is crucial to success in all areas of life.

"You have to teach students how to communicate because it is not innate," said Etnyre."It is a skill that most young people do not possess but it is a very important life skill that needs to be learned.They will use it throughout their life whether it is to land a perfect job or just to get along with peers."

Etnyre says that most of the teachers who want to become a group facilitator are those that have a great interest in students outside of academics.

"Teachers benefit just as much as the students do in this program," Etnyre said."The teachers gain a different perspective of the students and then the students are able to see teachers as people."

Boundaries are another aspect that is taught in the groups.Etnyre emphasizes to the students there are lines they can and cannot cross.

"Students don't have boundaries in an informal up-bringing," said Etnyre."As little children, everything they do is so cute and perfect.Their identity is formed as a child so they have to learn their boundaries in a social, academic or professional setting."

Etnyre also teaches the students about goals.She teaches them what goals are and how to set goals that are realistic and attainable.

"Goals help a person be self-efficient so it is important to set them," she said."I make sure the students know that if they don't achieve a goal it doesn't mean they have failed.If anything, they are brave for trying.Failures are those that don't attempt to achieve anything, not people that try and don't succeed the first time around."

Etnyre never allows a negative attitude during the support groups.She believes in always being positive.

"During introductions at the start of the group, I always ask the students to tell the group something they are really good at," said Etnyre."They are always stumped yet they can make a list of things they aren't good at.So, I always tell them they can't say anything negative about themselves and that there is always a positive within a negative and to find it."

Etnyre said many students begin to attend school more regularly so they don't miss group time.She says they use it as a "forum to discuss problems," and they are often disappointed if their group is canceled.

One of Etnyre's goals for the program is to pair seniors and freshmen together and form a big brother/big sister bond.

"The freshmen look up to the seniors," Etnyre said."I think it would be beneficial for both if they had each other to confide in outside of the group as well as in."

Although students can be referred to a group by parents, teachers or administrators, most of them are self-referral.The self-referrals play a large role in the confidentiality of the groups.

"If students refer themselves, then they're where they want to be," said Etnyre."They feel safe enough to speak freely with the other group members.This provides an honor system for the group.They have to trust each other not to speak outside of the group about their discussions."

Etnyre instructs facilitators and students not to talk about group discussions outside of group meetings.

"The students start to see each other as friends," Etnyre said."They begin talking to other students they may have never talked to before and realize they aren't all that different from each other."

Etnyre believes that high school is the most difficult time a student faces in their life.They are still trying to figure out who they are, where they belong and what they want to do with their life.She says she has felt a need to make a difference and help the students.

"You don't know how much you can influence a young mind," said Etnyre.

Park View's GEAR UP coordinator Laurie Etnyre said holding the transitional meetings with Rayburn students have helped their program reach its goals.

"Having the opportunity to speak with high school students allowed our eighth graders to develop a better understanding of what it will be like to move into the ninth grade," Etnyre said.
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Etnyre said some other major differences between high school and eighth grade include the size of the campus, the number of students and more strict tardy rules.

"Eighth graders can start preparing for high school now by making sure they go directly to their classes instead of slowly making their way to class while they socialize, and they need to make sure they write down what their assignments are and be sure to turn them all in," she said.
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Etnyre said the Rayburn students offered the eighth graders good advice and that overall the transitional meetings were a success.

"The high school students did a wonderful job speaking to our eighth graders about moving into high school," said Etnyre.

"This notebook dictionary is something the students will be able to use for many years to come throughout their education," said Park View's GEAR UP coordinator Laurie Etnyre.

Etnyre said she encourages parents, students and community members to come to the book fair because they can use a Book Fair Voucher, which will apply a percentage of each purchase to Park View's eighth grade fund.Barnes & Noble will also allow anyone else coming into the store to use one of the vouchers.

"Last year, we earned more than $370 from a percentage of sales," Etnyre said."We would like to combine last year's book fair sales to this year's sales and purchase a college shirt for all of the eighth graders."

GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federal program designed to encourage students to attend either a college or university after their high school graduation and to prepare them for college success.The district received a $1.6 million grant and implemented the program last year at eight of the district's 10 intermediate schools.

Etnyre said the book fair at Barnes & Noble will be beneficial to parents and students.

"This book fair gives parents and their students a reason to visit a large bookstore such as Barnes & Noble," she said."Many students and their parents have not had the opportunity to ever visit a bookstore, and there is nothing like walking around and looking at all the different types of books available for students and parents."

Etnyre also said the book fair encourages reading among students.

"The more students read, the better reader they will become, and good readers make good students," she said.
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"I believe by encouraging students to read more every day, GEAR UP is helping prepare students to be more successful now and in the future," Etnyre said.

"Mr. Chaffee represents many years of experience and knowledge," said Park View's GEAR UP campus coordinator Laurie Etnyre.