Counselor's STAR Gazette

May 2021

Summer Safety

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5 Ways to Stay SAFE This Summer

Emergency Room visits are high in the summer months. Avoid these five common summer-related accidents and illnesses. This information is brought to you by Kaiser Permanente.
Preparing for SUMMER!!

Preparing for SUMMER!!

Summer's almost here which means it's time to say GOOD BYE!

Here are some fun ways to say it:


See you later, alligator.

After while, crocodile.

See you soon, baboon.

I'm out the door, dinosaur.

Chop chop, lollipop.

Take care, polar bear.

Give a hug, ladybug.

In an hour, sunflower.

Maybe two, kangaroo.

Better swish, jellyfish.

Leaving now, brown cow.

Better shake, rattlesnake.

Bye bye, butterfly.

Gotta go, buffalo.

Blow a kiss, goldfish.

Be sweet, parakeet.


No matter how it's said, it is just for now and not forever. We will see you all again soon.

Preparing for SUMMER!!
2021 Summer Reading Lists for Kids Ages 5–18

2021 Summer Reading Lists for Kids Ages 5–18

Click on the link below to find yourself the PERFECT summer read. Make a goal to read at least 20 minutes a day OR 1 book a week. Keep your brain busy with books!! You may not be able to travel far, but, with a good book, your imagination can take you anywhere. Happy Summer Reading, Stars!!


https://imaginationsoup.net/summer-reading-list-for-kids/

2021 Summer Reading Lists for Kids Ages 5–18

Self-Care for Summer

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APRIL--Personal Health and Safety

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

National Child Abuse Prevention Month recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to strengthen families to prevent child abuse and neglect. Through this collaboration, prevention services and supports help protect children and produce thriving families. Click on the link to learn more. Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Personal Safety

Keeping our kids safe is our top priority! Teaching them to be smart about their own safety is important for those times that we are not able to be with them.


  • If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, say something.
  • If you are uncomftable, you don't have to stay there.
  • Use a strong voice to tell the person to stop.
  • Be aware of your surroundings.
  • Do not travel anywhere alone; there is safety in numbers.
  • Never give out your personal information.



Click on the link to visit Alliance for Children's website for more information on how to help educate your child about personal safety and how you, as their caretaker, can learn more too. Alliance for Children also provides educational trainings for the community.


https://www.allianceforchildren.org/prevention

https://www.allianceforchildren.org/communityeducation

THANK YOU DR. SCOTT BALLARD

APRIL SELF-CARE

CELEBRATE EARTH DAY

CELEBRATE EARTH DAY

Earth Day is April 22nd. For self-care this month, do something good for the earth. Plant a tree. Pick up trash. RECYCLE! Find something in nature to be grateful for. Make a collage from things you find outside. Paint a rock and place it where it can be found...that's sure to make someone's day! Taking care of our planet while taking care of yourself is important and FUN!!! Click on the link for more Earth Day ideas.

Earth Day Activities

CELEBRATE EARTH DAY

March--TRUSTWORTHINESS

CAN I TELL YOU A SECRET?

CAN I TELL YOU A SECRET?

I could, only if I knew you wouldn’t share my secret with anyone. That means I trust you. You keep your promises. I can depend on you and you are someone I can rely on. You are TRUSTWORTHY. Being trustworthy also means you do what you say you are going to do. Who do YOU trust, rely and depend on?
CAN I TELL YOU A SECRET?
Who Can You Trust?

Who Can You Trust?

Some examples of people who are trustworthy are teachers, police officers, fire fighters, doctors, and nurses. Hmmm…it sounds like the HEROES we have been seeing on TV lately are all worthy of our trust. Kids can be trustworthy too. Are you?
Who Can You Trust?

STORYTIME

This week, I have two stories to show what being trustworthy looks like and doesn’t look like. Which characters in the stories are trustworthy? Which are not?
"The Boy Who Cried Wolf"

"The Boy Who Cried Wolf"

This story has many different authors. It is about a boy who was bored and decided to play a trick on some people. I wonder if you can guess what happened.

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

"The Boy Who Cried Wolf"
"The Empty Pot"

"The Empty Pot"

This is a story about a young boy named Ping who grew the most beautiful flowers in China. When the Emperor decided that whoever could grow the biggest, most beautiful flower would become the next Emperor, Ping was sure it would be him.

The Empty Pot

"The Empty Pot"

Do You Want to Be Trustworthy?

Being trustworthy also means doing the right thing even when no one is watching. If you are not already trustworthy, what can you begin doing TODAY to start earning trust? Here are just a few ideas…

March Self Care

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5th Grade Course Selection

5th Grade Course Selection

Use this link to access the most updated videos and information about course selection for next year.

EMS Course Selection Information

Make it your goal to have your courses selected before spring break which starts Monday, March 15.

5th Grade Course Selection

FEBRUARY--KINDNESS

ACT OF KINDNESS SERVICE PROJECT

HELP US HELP COMMUNITY LINK

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KINDNESS

KINDNESS

We just completed the Great Kindness Challenge, and WOW, there were so many students doing so many acts of kindness to others and to themselves, it was amazing! We are going to continue acts of kindness in this month's classroom lessons.


Have you ever heard the saying “Kindness is contagious?" Right now, the world could use more kindness and it is the perfect time for students to practice it, starting at home. We can all model acts of kindness and kids will learn from watching and participating. You can begin by including and inviting everyone in your family to choose to be kind everyday. Make it a fun family activity. Challenge each other. Do something kind for someone today! Don't forget to be the I in KIND.

KINDNESS

Do it EVERY Day!

Great news!! There is no waiting for a special day. We can be kind every day! How many of these acts of kindness can you do? When you share an act of kindness, how does it make the other person feel? How does it make YOU feel?
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Storytime: "Be Kind"

Storytime: "Be Kind"

We have heard so much about the Coronavirus and what we can do to keep it from spreading: stay home, 6 feet of social distancing, washing our hands for 20 seconds. I chose this book because it shows how other things, like KINDNESS, can be spread too. I hope you enjoy it. I look forward to hearing about all the ways you are being kind to one another. Click on this link to hear the book. "Be Kind"
Storytime: "Be Kind"

Kindness Videos

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Black History Month

At Saginaw Elementary, we will learn about the many wonderful Black American men and women who have made contributions to what makes our country great today. We will continue to embrace each other's differences and become better citizens of our school, homes, and communities by celebrating our diversity.


The theme for 2021, "The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity" explores the wide-ranging diversity of Black family life -- from single to two-parent households, to nuclear, extended, and bi-racial families.


Throughout Black history, factors such as slavery, inequality, and poverty have put pressure on maintaining family ties, when a better life meant traveling far from home. Throughout American history, the Black community has always exhibited an unwavering understanding of the value of family -- as an incomparable source of comfort, strength, and even survival.

February Self-Care

February Self-Care

If you find yourself feeling anxious, scared, overwhelmed, annoyed, angry, worried, or upset...ask yourself the questions below. If your answers are "NO," do what you can to change your answers to "YES." You'll be surprised how much we overlook the simple things like water and sleep. Do all that you can to TAKE CARE of YOU!!
February Self-Care
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January

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

This month, we will focus on setting goals. Whether it's for home or school, setting a goal is a great way to start off a new year. What can you do to make a positive change in your life? Make sure it's a SMART goal: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. I look forward to hearing what your goals are and how you will celebrate when you reach them. Good luck!
The Great Kindness Challenge

The Great Kindness Challenge

January 25-29th

Small acts of kindness make a BIG difference. That is the message behind The Great Kindness Challenge. It is a school week devoted to performing as many acts of kindness as possible. This awesome idea comes from Kids for Peace, a global non-profit organization. Everyone should participate because Kindness Matters! Check out the calendar of themed days and make a goal to do as many acts of KINDNESS as you can.

The Great Kindness Challenge
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DECEMBER 2020

Perseverance and Resilience

Perseverance and Resilience

This month, we will focus on trying hard not to give up and looking for joy when things are tough. Perseverance is pushing through the difficult times and not giving up. Resilience is the ability to find the positive in a situation and bounce back when things are hard. What are you doing to show perseverance and resilience during this pandemic and/or distance learning? Are there things that have been difficult for you, but you keep pushing through?
Perseverance and Resilience
Ormie the Pig

Ormie the Pig

In this short video, Ormie faces many challenges, but is determined not to give up on his goal. How many times did Ormie face a challenge but he pushed through? Click on the link to find out.

https://video.link/w/rOZ5

Ormie the Pig

BOOKS ABOUT PERSEVERANCE AND RESILIENCE

"The Most Magnificent Thing"

"The Most Magnificent Thing"

This is a story that demonstrates perseverance. It is about a little girl who decides she wants to make the most magnificent thing. Click on the link to find out what happened when nothing turns out exactly like she wants it.

https://www.getepic.com/app/read/10685

"The Most Magnificent Thing"
"Bounce Back"

"Bounce Back"

This is a story that demonstrates resilience. It is how a girl was able to recover from many challenges by having positive thoughts that helped her bounce back from her problems. She discovers how important relationships are when getting through difficult times. Click on the link to begin reading.

https://www.getepic.com/app/read/68826


"Bounce Back"

HOW TO PUSH THROUGH AND BOUNCE BACK

Ideas for WINTER Self Care:

Ideas for WINTER Self Care:

  • Watch your favorite movie
  • Do something kind for someone else
  • Make something
  • Listen to your favorite holiday music
  • Take a warm bath
  • Rearrange something in your house
  • Set goals for the new year
  • Start a journal
  • Play a game with someone
  • Drink a cup of hot cocoa
Ideas for WINTER Self Care:

NOVEMBER

COLLEGE

COLLEGE

COLLEGE is a place that many people go after they graduate from high school. It offers more advanced classes than high school and it teaches you the things you need to know about the career you want to have. Teachers at Saginaw Elementary have gone to many different colleges. Ask your teacher what college they went to. Do you have a family member that went to college or is in college now? What college do you want to go to? Even though you are still in elementary school, there are a lot of things you can be doing RIGHT NOW that will help you be ready for college. Doing your homework every night, learning about what jobs you’re interested in, studying for tests, and talking to your parents about college are all ways to get prepared.
COLLEGE
CAREERS

CAREERS

A CAREER is an occupation or profession that requires special training that you do for a long period of your life. When I was 10 years old, I became an aunt. When my nephew was born, I started babysitting him on the weekends. I realized how fun it was to play with him, give him help when he needed it, and I was the person that he wanted when he was scared or hurt. I knew then, at the early age of 10, that I wanted to work with children when I grew up. I made the decision to study children as much as I could and that decision led me through classes in middle school, high school, college and beyond. That decision turned into my CAREER.
CAREERS
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Look Into Your Future

Look Into Your Future

What profession do you want to do for a long part of your life? Take the survey below and find out what interests you. There are 30 questions that will take you about 5 minutes to complete. When you find out what interests you, or even what you are good at, look for ways to make that your CAREER.

Career Survey

Look Into Your Future

Books About Careers

When I Grow Up

When I Grow Up

In this story, young Billy describes all the things he wants to be when he grows up. This is a fun way to use your imagination and discover all the possibilities for your future career.

When I Grow Up

When I Grow Up
The Magician's Hat

The Magician's Hat

This story was written and inspired by the life of a Super Bowl champion. It is a story of a magician who reveals an awe-inspiring treasure from his bag of tricks -- books that make every kid's dream come true!

The Magician's Hat


The Magician's Hat
Career Day

Career Day

This story is about the students in Mrs. Madoff's class as they take turns introducing special visitors on Career Day. Every visitor has something interesting to share, and together they learn all about the different work people do.

Career Day


Career Day

Short Videos About Careers

100 Kids Tell Us What They Want to Be When They Grow Up: 100 Kids

Education and Career Guidance: Education and Career Guidance

Kid President- How to Be an Inventor: Kid President

Start Thinking About Your Career

November Self-Care:

Telling Jokes because LAUGHTER is the BEST MEDICINE

Telling Jokes because LAUGHTER is the BEST MEDICINE

Here are some of the jokes I've shared on W.O.W. Wednesdays:


  • What kind of shoes do ninjas wear? Sneakers!
  • Why was six afraid of seven? Because seven ate nine!
  • What time is it when you have to go to the dentist? Tooth-Hurtie!
  • Why can't a bike stand on its own? It's two tired!
  • How do you get a tissue to dance? You put a little BOOGIE in it!


Can you come up with a few jokes to share? How many smiles can you put on peoples' faces today? How many people can you make laugh?

Telling Jokes because LAUGHTER is the BEST MEDICINE

OCTOBER

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SAFETY and WELLNESS

This month we will talk about SAFETY and WELLNESS. You will learn what a BULLY is and how to keep yourself safe from them. October is also the month we celebrate Red Ribbon Week. This is a fun way that helps us remember to say "NO!" to drugs, so you will learn about making HEALTHY CHOICES to keep your body well. The calendar of events is posted below, but let's first get started with some stories about bullying. Remember to click on the link below each book to hear the story.

RED RIBBON WEEK THEME DAYS

We will be collecting PET FOOD & SUPPLIES all week as a service project for our community.
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OCTOBER SELF-CARE:

JOURNALING

JOURNALING

Try journaling for a week. If you don't have a book to write in, just start with a single piece of paper each day. If you already journal, add pictures and doodles when you are done writing. Here are some prompts to help you get started:



Monday: Write about your favorite season (spring, summer, fall, or winter)


Tuesday: Write about the best gift you ever received


Wednesday: Make a list of all the things that are WONDERFUL about you


Thursday: What are 5 things you are thankful for?


Friday: If you were an animal, what would you be and why?


Saturday: Write about a time you were proud of yourself


Sunday: Change the words to a familiar song and make them about you. For example: "Twinkle, twinkle little star. How I wonder what you are" can be changed to "I like puppies. I like fish. I like ice cream in a dish."


If you make it through 1 whole week, come see me for more prompts and then challenge yourself to journal for another week.

JOURNALING

SEPTEMBER

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DIVERSITY

This month we will talk about DIVERSITY. Do you know what that means? Diversity means differences. People may be different in many ways, including race or ethnicity, age, disabilities, language, culture, appearance, or religion. Our differences make us special and unique. Without diversity, life would be boring. That is why we CELEBRATE diversity. In what ways are you diverse? How can you begin or continue to celebrate diversity in other people?


Click on the link under the picture of each book below to listen to a story about differences. I wonder which one will be your favorite.

Other People and Cultures

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Learning About Other People and Cultures

If you click on this link, you can read a book and look at pictures of the many differences in people. Do you share any of the things that make them special and unique? You might recognize some words like: respect, trust, and bullies. You might learn some new words like: culture, disability, or language barrier. It's FUN to learn more about people that are different than you.

Make a goal to find someone that is different and learn about them. They might want to learn about YOU too!

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Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15 to October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. This is another great way to learn about diversity. This month celebrates the influences of Spanish-speaking nations on our history, culture, and achievements. There are many examples you are probably already familiar with like their food, clothing, music, and language. But I hope you will learn something new about Hispanic Heritage this month. I can't wait to find out what that is!
Hispanic Heritage Month

September SELF CARE:

UNPLUG!

UNPLUG!

Here are ways that you and your family can have some fun without technology:


  • Have a dance party
  • Have a pillow fight
  • Play a game where the kids make up the rules
  • Go for a family bike ride
  • Go for a walk or hike
  • Bake cookies
  • Draw or paint
  • Tell jokes to each other
  • Blow bubbles
  • Play at a park
  • Play make believe
  • Build a fort


Turning off your TV, radio, laptop, tablet, or any of your devices is a great way to take care of yourself. Don't worry...they'll be there after you have some tech-free FUN!!

UNPLUG!
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How to Reach Mrs. Cedillo

How to Reach Mrs. Cedillo

Feel free to contact me by email or phone if you have any questions, concerns, or need assistance with anything.


acedillo@ems-isd.net

817-232-0631 ext.3329


My office hours are Monday to Friday 7:05 AM to 4:00 PM.

How to Reach Mrs. Cedillo
Helpful District Links

Helpful District Links

Visit the EMS-ISD website for the Return to School Plan: Reconnect 2020 or our Distance Learning webpage here. If you are in need of RESOURCES, please click here.
Helpful District Links