Mrs. Foley's Counselor Corner
May & June, 2021
Dear Suamico Elementary Parents/Guardians,
What a year it has been!! Wow, WE MADE IT! I am so proud of the resiliency and growth all of our students have displayed throughout this entire school year. It truly is inspiring how children face challenges and move forward. I attribute their success to all of the families and school staff. By setting clear expectations, with compassion and patience, your child has learned how to gently go with the flow of life. It's not always easy to understand a child's perspective however, they are always learning via cause/effect and value seeing and hearing how adults face adversities and hard times. When you look back on the 2020-21 school year I hope you also recognize how much we have overcome and done TOGETHER.
Over summer break try to keep that sense of wonder in your child by asking them open ended questions and promoting their creativity. Also, read to/with your child to spark imagination, be active and social when possible, and make time for rest and mindfulness practices (screen-free activities). A mindfulness practice you can try is the "54321 Grounding Technique" (see the image below for instructions on how to do this with your child). My hope is that you all find time to build memories through experiences this summer, simple but meaningful ones.
I am not at the school in the summer months however, I do check my email periodically and all of my voicemails are forwarded to my email. Feel free to contact me if you/your child need anything. Take care and I can't wait to see your child (and you) back IN the school next year!!
Panther Pride!
(Please feel free to check back for updates as I'll be updating this newsletter for the whole month of May.)
Life Skills Class
During the months of April, May, and June we focused on the following topics in Life Skills class:
- Conflict Resolution & Size of the Problem - Students were introduced to and practiced applying Kelso's Choices, which includes 9 choices when dealing with peer conflict. (See the choice wheel below.) Also identifying the size of the problem (See below).
- Health Choices - In K-4th grade students learned how to make healthy choices (within their circle of control). The three categories that are discussed include Foods (safe to put in our mouths), Helpful drugs (ie. medicines that must be given to us by a trusted adult), and Harmful drugs (ie. never okay to put in our mouths). Below you'll find the video that Kindergarteners watched before we played the "Hands on, Hands off" game.
- Transitions - During the transitions unit we reflect on the school year and play a Jeopardy style game to get us ready for the next year. Students enjoy this game!
Life Skills will wrap up the week before summer break. The last week of school I will be assisting with end of year activities and wrapping up small group and individual supports.
Click Here to learn more about the "American School Counselor Association - Mindset and Behavior Standards" HSSD School Counselors are required to address each school year.
Feelings Exploration Room with Mrs. Foley
Please view this Feelings Exploration Room with your child(ren) as it offers TONS of books and fun activities related to feelings from the movie "Inside Out".
HSSD - Virtual Calming Room
Student Check-in with the School Counselor
School Social Work
Alexis Foley - School Counselor
Email: alexfole@hssdschools.org
Website: https://suamico.hssdschools.org/
Location: 2153 School Lane, Suamico, WI, USA
Phone: 9206629814
Twitter: @MrsFoley16