Counselor's Corner Newsletter
February 2016
February 2016 At-A-Glance
2/1 5th Grade Colonial Day in the MPR
2/9 2nd Grade Nature Van in the MPR 10-12:45pm
2/11 Author Assembly, 8:45-10:15 grades 3-5 in the MPR
2/11 12:45pm Kindergarten and 5th Grade Buddies Cookie Decorating Party in the MPR
Board Meeting, 6pm at Crocker
2/12 and 2/15 NO SCHOOL
2/17 School Site Council Meeting, 3:15pm in room 17
2/19 APG Meeting, 8:45am
2/21 Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration, 5-7pm
2/25 5th Grade Information Meeting, 8:45am at Crocker
Don't Interview For Pain
“I believe that we live the story we tell ourselves–and others–about the life we’re leading…If you constantly interview your child for pain, your child may begin to hear a story of social suffering emerge from her own mouth. Soon she will begin to believe it and will see herself as a victim….
“Please understand that I am not advising you to disbelieve our children, nor am I saying that you should not be empathic…But…don’t interview for pain, don’t nurture resentments, and don’t hold on to ancient history. Kids don’t.”
Check out the questions below for some fresh ideas on checking in with your child about their day at school!
25 Questions to Ask Your Child
#1. What was the best thing that happened at school today? (What was the worst thing that happened at school today?)
#2. Tell me something that made you laugh today.
#3. If you could choose who would you like to sit by in class? (Who would you NOT want to sit by in class? Why?)
#4. Where is the coolest place at the school?
#5. Tell me a weird word that you heard today. (Or something weird that someone said.)
#6. If I called your teacher tonight what would she tell me about you?
#7. How did you help somebody today?
#8. How did somebody help you today?
#9. Tell me one thing that you learned today.
#10. When were you the happiest today?
#11. When were you bored today?
#12. If an alien spaceship came to your class and beamed up someone who would you want them to take?
#13. Who would you like to play with at recess that you’ve never played with before?
#14. Tell me something good that happened today.
#15. What word did your teacher say most today?
#16. What do you think you should do/learn more of at school?
#17. What do you think you should do/learn less of at school?
#18. Who in your class do you think you could be nicer to?
#19. Where do you play the most at recess?
#20. Who is the funniest person in your class? Why is he/she so funny?
#21. What was your favorite part of lunch?
#22. If you got to be the teacher tomorrow what would you do?
#23. Is there anyone in your class that needs a time out?
#24. If you could switch seats with anyone in the class who would you trade with? Why?
#25. Tell me about three different times you used your pencil today at school.
What's On My Bookshelf?
Bernice Gets Carried Away
Bernice is having a truly rotten time at her friend's birthday party. First, everyone else gets a piece of cake with a frosting rose. But not Bernice. Then, everyone else gets strawberry-melon soda. Bernice gets the prune-grapefruit juice. And it's warm. The last straw is the one lousy (squished) candy she gets from the piñata. So when the balloons arrive, Bernice knows just what she has to do: grab them all. And then, poor cross Bernice gets carried up, up, and away. Luckily, she figures out just how to make her way back down to the party...and she brightens lots of other animals' days on her way.
Students really enjoy this funny book about the power of perspective!
Local Resources
As the school counselor, my role involves providing referrals to families that are seeking support for their child's social, emotional and behavioral concerns. All of these resources are listed on my website here. I have highlighted a few of the local community resources below.
The Children's Health Council in Palo Alto provides a wide array of services for children and their families.
Parent Education Classes
http://www.chconline.org/help-for-parents/parent-education
Parent Learning Center
Search by topic for articles (ADHD, worry, Autism, Behavior, Depression, Learning and School, etc.).
http://www.chconline.org/help-for-parents/parent-learning-center
Parents Place in San Mateo offers a wide variety of services for the whole family- parent education workshops (the highly sensitive child, setting limits, positive discipline, etc.) child counseling, individual counseling and family counseling.
http://parentsplaceonline.org/location/peninsula/
200 Channing Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301 • 650-688-3040
2001 Winward Way, Suite 200, San Mateo, CA 94404 • 650-931-1840
Children, youth and family support in San Carlos
610 Elm Street, Suite 212 • San Carlos, CA 94070
Phone (650) 591-9623
info@star-vista.org
Social/Emotional Development
Books That Heal Kids
40 Developmental Assets
Helpful HCSD Links
Children's Workshop (after school care)
Choice Lunch (school lunch program)
Konstella (events, volunteer sign-up, classroom news)