Connecting with the Counselors
A Communication from Robinson Elementary's Counseling Team
September 7, 2021
We hope your family had a wonderful 5 day week of school, and a fantastic LONG weekend.
Last week we asked all students and staff to think about what their "ONE WORD" is that will be a focus to help our entire community. Did your Roadrunner tell you about their ONE WORD? We had a lot of thoughtful answers-- some are even pictured below.
As well as 1-1 meetings and classroom pop-ins, Ms. Harris and Mrs. Cohen began checking in with our New to Robinson kiddos during an outdoor lunch or other meeting time. Our newest Roadrunners are starting to feel a part of our welcoming and inclusive community at Robinson. Some have felt this way since the first or second day-- a real credit to the kind and caring kiddos you are raising.
REPEAT: Please reach out to any of us if we can be helpful--the transition back to school can be a fun and exciting time, but it can also invoke worry and fear. Whatever your kiddo (and you!) are feeling, it is alright. As the saying goes, "feel all the feels!" If your student is particularly stuck, or resistant to coming to school, we can be a support to ease the transition.
Even coming back from a long weekend can be a hard transition!
If you missed last week's communication, you can access it from this link:
We look forward to seeing your kiddos again tomorrow!
Have a wonderful, short week!
WHAT MISTAKES TEACH US
Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month
*From Behavioral Health Response or BHR:
Each year in September, mental health advocates, survivors, family, friends, community members, and mental health organizations like BHR unite to raise awareness of suicide prevention. Suicidal thoughts can inflict anyone no matter age, gender, or social status. Commonly linked to depression, there is no absolute indicator of suicidal tendencies. Many people with depression or suicidal ideation cover them up well.
Suicide in Missouri*
- 1,130 Missourians died by sucide in 2019.
- Suicide is the 9th leading cause of death in Missouri.
- Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among 10-17 year olds. More than 60 percent of these suicides are firearm related.
- A large marjority (75 percent) of those who die by suicide are white males.
- Suicide rates are highest among 25-64 year olds.
*Source: Missouri Institute of Mental Health, July 2020
We all can help prevent suicide. Here are tips to help someone in crisis.
Have the Conversation
Even though it’s dificult, ask a person directly if they’re having suicidal thoughts.
Listen
People with suicidal thoughts often feel alone. Take the time to listen. Let them know you care deeply about them.
Conduct a Safety Check
If you’re concerned about their well-being, try to remove anything they could use to harm themselves, such as alcohol, drugs, medications, weapons, and even access to a car.
Seek Professional Help
Let them know you will help develop a plan that involves a mental health professional who has many services and resources available to support them every step of the way.
If you or someone you know is in an emergency,
call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at
800-273-TALK (8255) or call 911 immediately.
REFRAMING & REPHRASING-- It's all about the AND!
REPEAT INFORMATION:
What are the Zones of Regulation?
At Robinson we use the Zones of Regulation to teach about self-regulation and self-management. As we begin the year all students will be given a refresher lesson about the Zones. Our Kindergarten students will be learning about the Zones of Regulation for the first time. Ask your student to telll you about the different Zones and the tools in their tool box to reset. Somedays, no matter how hard we try, we can't reset. This is true for children and adults. We understand that not everyone will always, "get back to green." That is an overall goal for us to be able to do our best learning at Robinson. We don't, however, expect that every student, every day, will "be green."
Contact Information for 2021-22 School Year
ROBINSON COUNSELING TEAM
Indria Harris
School Counselor, preK-2nd grade
Indria.harris@kirkwoodschools.org
314-213-6100, ext. 4061
School Counselor, 3rd-5th grade
julie.cohen@kirkwoodschools.org
314-213-6100, ext. 4470
Tonya Ampey-Elong
Social Worker, KSD
tonya.ampey@kirkwoodschools.org
314-213-6100, ext. 4042
*At Robinson on Mondays and Wednesdays
Ana Shields
Educational Support Counselor
ana.shields@kirkwoodschools.org
314-213-6100, ext. 4065
*At Robinson all day Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday's until noon