Dragon Connection
Carroll Senior High School, Counselors' Newsletter
December 2018
WELCOME DRAGON STUDENTS & PARENTS
MARK YOUR CALENDARS WITH CSHS FALL EVENTS:
December 18 – Exams Block 4
December 19 – Exams Block 8
December 20 – Exams Blocks 1, 2, 3
December 21 – Exams Blocks 5, 6, 7
December 24 – January 07 – Winter Break
Mental Health and Wellness Monthly Topics
- December: Kindness and Friendships - Compassion
- January: Self-care and Mental Health/Wellness - Self- control
- February: Health and Nutrition: Jump Rope for Heart - Service
- March: Bullying and Conflict Resolution - Individuality
- April: Child Abuse/Safety and Self Defense - Hope
- May: Current topics, Summer Tips, Transitions - Perseverance
Teaching Kindness and Compassion
Our mission in Carroll ISD is to support and promote kindness and to create opportunities for students to practice being kind and compassionate.
The Science of Kindness
Kindness is Teachable and Contagious: The positive effects of kindness are experienced in the brain of everyone who witnessed the act, improving their mood and making them significantly more likely to “pay it forward.” This means one good deed in a crowded area can create a domino effect and improve the day of dozens of people!
Kindness Increases:
Happiness: Witnessing acts of kindness produces oxytocin, occasionally referred to as the ‘love hormone’ which aids in lowering blood pressure and improving our overall heart-health. Oxytocin also increases our self-esteem and optimism, which is extra helpful when we’re in anxious or shy in a social situation. Kindness stimulates the production of serotonin. This feel-good chemical heals your wounds, calms you down, and makes you happy!
ENERGY: “About half of participants in one study reported that they feel stronger and more energetic after helping others; many also reported feeling calmer and less depressed, with increased feelings of self-worth” Christine Carter, UC Berkeley, Greater Good Science Center
LIFESPAN: “People who volunteer tend to experience fewer aches and pains. Giving help to others protects overall health twice as much as aspirin protects against heart disease.” Christine Carter, Author, “Raising Happiness; In Pursuit of Joyful Kids and Happier Parents”
Kindness Decreases
PAIN: Engaging in acts of kindness produces endorphins—the brain’s natural painkiller!
STRESS: Perpetually kind people have 23% less cortisol (the stress hormone) and age slower than the average population!
ANXIETY: A group of highly anxious individuals performed at least six acts of kindness a week. After one month, there was a significant increase in positive moods, relationship satisfaction and a decrease in social avoidance in socially anxious individuals. University of British Columbia Study
DEPRESSION: Stephen Post of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine found that when we give of ourselves, everything from life satisfaction to self- realization and physical health is significantly improved. Mortality is delayed, depression is reduced and well-being and good fortune are increased.
BLOOD PRESSURE: Committing acts of kindness lowers blood pressure. According to Dr. David R. Hamilton, acts of kindness create emotional warmth, which releases a hormone known as oxytocin. Oxytocin causes the release of a chemical called nitric oxide, which dilates the blood vessels. This reduces blood pressure and, therefore, oxytocin is known as a “cardioprotective” hormone. It protects the heart by lowering blood pressure.
https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/the-science-of-kindness
The POWER of 1 Club
Rachel's Challenge
Carroll ISD utilizes the Rachel's Challenge program to provide a framework for positive climate and culture in our schools. Rachel's Challenge exists to inspire and equip every person to create a permanent positive change not only in themselves, but in their schools. The objectives of these programs are to continue Rachel's legacy of kindness and compassion and to help schools become more connected places to live and learn.
How to Be a Good Friend!
Practice Empathy: It is being able to see things from another person’s viewpoint, even if you have never experienced it yourself.
Being There for Friends: When a friend calls you needing something, try to be the one who is there for them.
Laugh and Have Fun: A good sense of humor and being able to share experiences is part of friendship and good relationships.
Be Loyal: When it comes to building positive long-lasting relationships, loyalty is king.
Listen: Everyone wants to be listened to. Active listening means exhibiting listening behaviors, such as leaning toward the person when they are talking, replying with a statement, and other attributes.
Understand and respect boundaries: Good friends aren’t pushy and don’t get upset because of an occasional “no.” In fact, good friends know how to pick up right where they left off no matter how long it’s been since they last saw each other.
Introduce them to others:Your social circle might be tightly knit, but there’s always room for expansion.
Learn how to apologize: It takes a lot to admit you did something wrong. Don’t be afraid of admitting to your friends that you messed up.
CHECK IT OUT MORE ON POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS:
https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/education/article53087965.html
Attention Juniors: It is Time to Sign Up for your Junior Conference
Your Junior Conference will cover your questions about: graduation requirements? Senior schedule? SAT/ACT tests? Service hours? Naviance? College?
- Each counselor emailed a link specific to their Sign Up Genius if you did not receive this email please email your counselor to receive that link and view the available appointments, select the earliest date that is most convenient for you and your parent(s); and make sure the date you select allows your counselor at least two days to prepare. Please note that while parent attendance is strongly encouraged but optional, YOU must attend.
THE RESILIENCY PROJECT
We tend to idealize childhood as a carefree time, but youth alone offers no shield against the emotional hurts and traumas many children face. Children can be asked to deal with problems ranging from adapting to a new classroom to bullying by classmates or even abuse at home. Add to that the uncertainties that are part of growing up, and childhood can be anything but carefree. The ability to thrive despite these challenges arises from the skills of resilience.
The good news is that resilience skills can be learned.
Building resilience — the ability to adapt well to adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or even significant sources of stress — can help our children manage stress and feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. However, being resilient does not mean that children won't experience difficulty or distress. Emotional pain and sadness are common when we have suffered major trauma or personal loss, or even when we hear of someone else's loss or trauma.
DRAGON TIP LINE - 817-406-2512
The Dragon Tip Line system is designed to help students, parents and community members anonymously report past, present and predicted concerns in our school community. Information about bullying, harassment, drugs, violence, weapons, theft, or any other potential threat to school safety should be reported.
Report concerns anonymously, anytime 24/7.
A New Type of Help: Crisis Text Line
Text 741-741, ANYTIME YOU ARE IN A CRISIS
With today's teenagers living in the age of texting, the Crisis Text Line has noticed they feel more comfortable texting rather than calling into a helpline when they are in need of help. The great thing about this support is it is available 24/7 to anyone in any type of crisis. You can text confidentially between classes, in the middle of a situation without anyone knowing who you are talking to. Crisis counselors are on stand by 24/7 to help you from the heat of the moment to until you are calm.
Crisis doesn’t just mean suicide: it’s any painful emotion for which you need support.
SAT & ACT INFORMATION & DATES
Visit our CSHS Counseling Website for information on ACT/SAT Testing and More
Click here for 2018-2019 SAT/ACT Testing Dates and Deadlines
$ PAYING FOR COLLEGE $
Visit your Naviance Account for a full list of scholarships available to you. There is a TON of money out there, APPLY and maybe you will be selected!
Check the Scholarship list in Naviance Monthly:
- Log in
- Click on the Colleges Tab
- Then click Scholarships and Money.
**Seniors this list will grow, make sure you check at least once per month.
You can also visit:
Our Counseling Team
Serving Students Last Names A-D
Tracey.Flores@southlakecarroll.edu
Melissa Woodward, M. Ed.
Serving Students Last Names E-K
Melissa.Woodward@southlakecarroll.edu
Keri Bettencourt, M. Ed.
Serving Students Last Names L-Q
Keri.Bettencourt@southlakecarroll.edu
Tammy Grasmick, M. S.
Serving Students Last Names R-Z
Tamara.Grasmick@southlakecarroll.edu
Guidance Office Support Staff
Deidra Mulloy
Registrar
Deidra.Mulloy@southlakecarroll.edu
Anne Fore
Receptionist
Patricia.Fore@southlakecarroll.edu
Shela Daniel
Secretary
Shela.Daniel@southlakecarroll.edu
Website: https://www.southlakecarroll.edu/domain/736
Location: 1501 West Southlake Boulevard, Southlake, TX, United States
Phone: 817-949-5813
Twitter: @CounselingCSHS