OHT Counselors' Corner
Oak Hills Terrace ES Counseling Department Newsletter
May-June, 2021
Mental Health Awareness
During the month of May, we highlight mental health--specifically, our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
If individuals experience mental health problems, their thinking, mood, and behavior could be affected. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:
- Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
- Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
- Family history of mental health problems
Mental health specialists say that one in five--that number may be closer to one in four-- individuals suffer from some form of mental illness. Mental health problems are common but help is available. People with mental health problems can get better and many recover completely.
Not sure if you or someone you know is living with mental health problems? Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or behaviors can be an early warning sign of a problem:
- Eating or sleeping too much or too little
- Pulling away from people and usual activities
- Having low or no energy
- Feeling numb or like nothing matters
- Having unexplained aches and pains
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
- Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
- Yelling or fighting with family and friends
- Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
- Having persistent thoughts and memories you can't get out of your head
- Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
- Thinking of harming yourself or others
- Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school
Individuals may experience anxiety or depression. Some individuals suffer from a mood or bipolar disorder. June is the month we recognize the plight of PTSD- (Post-traumatic stress disorder) sufferers. Unfortunately, several persons in our community may also have thoughts of suicide (suicide ideation).
It is important to recognize the warnings in others or ourselves. With intervention, many mental health concerns may be alleviated to some extent. Please consider accessing one of the buttons below for more information:
Career Day @ OHT
Oak Hills Terrace will host Career Day on Friday, May 28 to help students learn about the "day in the life of" various career folks. Since we are limiting school visitors to minimize COVID exposure, all presentations will be virtual. We hope that you or a colleague will consider volunteering to make a presentation to our students.
Presenters who report to a job site are encouraged (with company permission) to provide a tour. Interviews and other visuals also enhance the presentation. Since all sessions will use a zoom link, career volunteers will have access to the screen for the presentation.
We would also appreciate showcasing a career video from our presenters who are unable to appear live in a zoom session.
Please call the counseling offices with questions:
Ms. Castillo: 210.397.0576
Mr. Koog: 210.397.0575
Thank you for submitting the form below. Please tell your family members, neighbors, and co-workers!
STAAR
11 Math (Grades 3 & 4)
12 Reading (Grades 3 & 4)
13 Reading (Grade 5)
17 Science (Grade 5)
18 Math (Grade 5)
Although we are authorized to use make-up days to administer these tests, we are asking that parents make every effort to adhere to this schedule for their children as best they can. In addition, please be aware of this schedule when making appointments that require children to be absent from school. Lastly, the school strives to ensure that a safe testing environment is maintained.
Please do not hesitate to call an administrator or counselor with STAAR-related questions.
"Tips to Go" for Reducing Test Anxiety
- get a good night's sleep
- set out clothes, backpack, and mask the night before
- eat healthy meals
- drink water
- exercise
- remember your test strategies
- concentrate
- breathe
- take mental breaks
- don't give up
Trauma Review
Our ability to weather these storms depends on our own psychological makeup: Have we experienced trauma before? What is our approach to managing emotions and stress? A caretaker (or person experiencing the trauma) may recognize one or more of these emotional and psychological responses:
- denial
- anger
- fear
- sadness
- shame
- confusion
- anxiety
- depression
- numbness
- guilt
- hopelessness
- irritability
- difficulty concentrating
It is possible that you have experienced one or more of these symptoms:
- digestive symptoms
- racing heart
- sweating
- feeling jumpy
- headaches
- fatigue
Traumatic events can occur at any point during one's lifetime and may include one or more of the following:
- bullying
- harassment
- physical, psychological, or sexual abuse
- sexual assault
- traffic collisions
- childbirth
- life threatening illnesses
- sudden loss of a loved one
- being attacked
- being kidnapped
- acts of terrorism
- natural disasters
- war
Fortunately, doctors, counselors, and other caregivers can help. Individuals affected by trauma have felt less stressed when taking on exercises, learning how to breathe, practicing eye desensitization, using touch therapy, taking medicine, and putting into effect better sleeping/eating habits.
Communities in Schools
Northside Threads
If you would like to donate items, please drop off your clothing at the district office on Evers Rd., at Student Services on Grissom Rd., the Athletic Center at the Farris Complex on Hwy 1604, or at NAC on Culebra Rd.
Food Distribution
May 7
May 21
June 4
June 18
All events begin at 9:00 AM although participants are encouraged to arrive early. Everyone must register using the following link:
https://safoodbank.org/cvresponse/getfood/
Many families in our community have suffered the loss of employment and are struggling to meet the financial hardships that the pandemic has created. Each distribution supports between 1300 to 1800 families with food during the pandemic. Northside ISD hosts the distributions on alternating Fridays at the stadium located on Loop 410 at Culebra Rd. If you are interested in volunteering, please report to the parking lot at 7001 Culebra Rd between 7:30-8:00 AM. The shift generally ends by 10:30 AM.
Northside also offers curbside meal service at several schools. Families who live in the Oak Hills Terrace area may visit the following locations between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM daily.
McDermott ES, 5111 USAA Blvd
Holmes HS, 6500 Ingram Rd
This meal service is intended for anyone up to age 18. Please be ready to show proof of age (or school enrollment).
Our OWLsome Owls
Food @ OHT
Pillar of Character
Fiesta Drive-Thru
Summer Activities
Support Our Partners!
Rosita's Mexican Restaurant
South TX Blood and Tissue Center
San Antonio Food Bank
Guidance Materials
PAWS in Jobland
The Dot
Vashti learns that she has an artistic talent. Perhaps you do, too, And it may start with a little dot on the page.
You Are Special
What Have You Done, Davy?
Don't Be Afraid to Drop
The Jelly Donut Difference
Department Stats
APRIL
68 Guidance lessons
35 Responsive services (1-on-1)
10 Group sessions
12 Students completing groups
33 Parent consultations
2 Parent events
193 Staff consultations
1 Campus professional development training
2 Campus events
19 Tier 3 (RTI) meetings
Contact Us
Please click on the form below to request to speak to a counselor.
Feel free to email or call us with a student concern. You may also take advantage of a variety of parent links by accessing this site:
https://sites.google.com/a/nisd.net/oskhillsterrace-koogt/parent-links