Barker Counseling Center
December 2021
GRATITUDE
Gratitude is mindful thankfulness and the ability to be thankful even when things in life are challenging. When you practice gratitude you feel thankful and want to share that feeling with others. Research has shown that the benefits of gratitude include better sleep patterns, increased levels of happiness and optimism, greater connection to peers and communities, and decreases in anxiety and stress.
Gratitude Breath:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5EMJl5YlqQAt home activity to practice gratitude:
EMPOWER ME
Dear Parents,
Each year, all K-6 schools use the Empower Me curriculum designed to teach children about personal body safety in an empowering and positive way.
Middle School Topics covered include:
Checking with the adult in charge before going anywhere, changing plans, accepting gifts, taking pictures, etc.
Identifying five trusted adults who make up their safety net
Understanding and listening to their “uh-oh” feeling
Saying “no” to anyone asking them to break a safety rule, including adults
There are no secrets (secrets vs. surprises)
Telling if someone is being hurt (tattling vs. telling)
Teaches students they have the right to keep their private parts private.
Understanding that no touch should ever be a secret
Our school’s Empower Me training will be December 14th during their PE class. The following link is an Empower Me parent training facilitated by Melanie from the Children's Advocacy Center. Please look over this link for a preview. Empower Me
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to one of our school’s counselors or our district’s Director of Student Service, Amanda Musick at amusick@bentonvillek12.org or 367-8040.
PARENTING EDUCATION FOR SCHOOL FAMILIES~OZARK GUIDANCE VIRTUAL TRAININGS
REQUEST TO SEE THE COUSELOR
If your child needs to see the counselor they can tell their teacher or fill this form out on their counseling google classroom. This link also gives you as a parent a chance to fill out a referral if you feel your child might need to visit with one of us. We will make sure to see them in a timely manner.
SNACK PACK PROGRAM
The Samaritan Community Center partners with schools to provide sacks of food to eligible children on a weekly basis through the Snack Pack for Kids Program. The program will provide 8-10 food items to students each Friday afternoon so they will have food available for the weekend. If your child could use a snack pack please fill out the form below.
English form: https://forms.gle/wJfaADESwXyZwLAT6
Spanish form: https://forms.gle/jdfpe2tYX22GVHXa6
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT- LITTLE FREE PANTRY AT BARKER
The little free pantry movement is a grassroots movement led by neighbors who want to help neighbors experiencing food insecurity. If you are a neighbor who wants to help, give what you can. Focus giving on items your own household uses.
If you are a neighbor in need, take what you need. Any items inside are available no questions asked. The pantry is located behind our brick Barker sign in the front of the building. It is open 24/7.
Some examples of items needed are: canned protein, canned vegetables, canned fruits, breakfast cereals, shelf stable meals, granola and protein bars, and powdered milk. Shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste and toothbrushes, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, paper towels, diapers and wipes, and garbage bags can be dropped off in the cointainer below the pantry. We ask that you do not put glass containers in the pantry.
This is an opportunity for our students to give back and be educated on food insecurity. Many of the teachers sign up monthly to have their students fill the pantry. Neighbors helping neighbors.
Why did Barker choose to do this? It starts with ONE....and creates a ripple effect.
If you would like to learn more about how you or your family can help please contact msnow@bentonvillek12.org.
Here is a US map of different pantry sites.
http://mapping.littlefreepantry.org/CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT
Marisa Snow
479.696.3306
Barkley
Cassie Hamaker
479.696.3343