PLMS Counseling
Here Comes Summer!
Better Together! Enjoy the Summer!
As we finish the last week of learning and look ahead to summer, we just wanted to take a minute to say thank you for all your hard work. We know this has not been an easy year for anyone, but we did it! We rallied together as the Pine Lake family always does, we embraced the many challenges that came our way, and stayed true to our school beliefs of Community, Integrity, Discovery, Excellence and Respect. Thank you to our amazing teachers, support staff, and administrators, who have worked tirelessly to provide students with engaging learning opportunities and maintain school business and Covid protocols. To our 8th grade students and families, we celebrate your accomplishments of middle school and wish you all the best in your transition to high school. Please keep in touch! We encourage you take a minute to reflect on what you have learned, and how you have grown during this time. It is time to take a deep breath, celebrate, and look forward to summer break. You deserve it!
We know that summer will likely look a bit different as the world opens up again. We hope this summer brings you lots of fun, social connections, and new experiences. Take time to get outside, play, laugh, and practice good self-care.
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletters this year; we hope they have provided you will some helpful information, inspired you, and helped remind you that we can get through anything together!
Enjoy your Summer!
Mrs. Brittain, Mrs. Varsa and Ms. Elliot
What Should We Do This Summer?
THE ANSWER IS...THE GREAT OUTDOORS!!!
Well, you live in Sammamish, your summer break options are going to be limited and social distancing guidelines are still in effect. Luckily your hometown has a lot to offer when it comes to outdoor activities. Check below 'Best of Sammamish - Summer 2020' (Pdf) for our favorite local spots & activities! Please note that some of these places might still be closed, or will be opening in Phase 2/3.
Mental Health Support
We did it! We made it through a school year filled with the unexpected, the unprecedented, and the unknown. And we did it together. As a community, you have stepped up in creative and generous ways throughout this period. Take some time to go celebrate! As you prepare for summer, and the weight of schoolwork fades away for a bit, make sure you and your kids keep up the good self-care. That means continuing with routines, exercise, time outdoors, and socialization, in whatever form makes sense for your family. We all know these things in theory, but it takes commitment to remember and motivate to do them, each and every day. You will all feel better for it. Here’s a few tips to keep you going.
Take care of yourselves, and each other. We are all in this together--apart, but together. See you in the fall!
Ms. Rosie
Our awesome School-Based Mental Health Counselor, Rosie Bancroft rosalie.bancroft@swedish.org is available to support PLMS students and families online. She can also connect you to mental health community resources.
Crisis Text Line: 741-741
Crisis Connections: (206) 461-3210
Ms. Hammer's Homemade Reese's Ice Cream
Ms. Swanson and Bodhi the Basset Puppy
Ms. Santos enjoying one of her famous black bean brownies
Creativity Corner with Ms. Elliot--I will probably just delete the CC for this issue.
Ms. Santos (Dean of Students)-- "I have been cooking and baking like a maniac! Any and everything! Breakfasts, lunches, salads, dinners, and my favorite...desserts!!!"
Ms. Varsa (Counselor)--"I have become a 'semi-pro' Zumba dancer!"
Ms. Swanson (Health and PE)--" I was able to play and spend time with a baby basset puppy named Bodhi. He's awfully cute!"
Ms. Rosie Bancroft (Swedish Mental Health Counselor)--"My kids are playing outside every single day. And due to playgrounds and formal activities being closed, they have developed the patience and creativity to play completely free-form, getting good and dirty, and having a blast!"
Ms. Hammer (LA/SS)--"My new discovery is ice cream making! I have made many delicious flavors!"
Enjoy your summer and keep that creativity flowing by discovering new passions. And don't forget to talk to me about geology sometime!
PBSES with Ms. Bertnsen--I think we should delete this section, too.
Silver Linings
What a year this has been! Have you ever heard of a silver lining? A silver lining is what you see when the sun shines behind a cloud and radiates light along the cloud’s outer edge. The term “look for the silver lining” is a phrase used to encourage people to find the positive in a difficult situation. During this time of change and uncertainty, looking for silver linings helps me see the positive in the world and to keep my mind open to new ideas and ways of thinking.
Mark Rober is a NASA scientist who decided to use his time at home to find out more about the squirrels in his yard that were stealing food from his bird feeder. In order to learn more about them and to see how smart they were, he created an obstacle course and recorded them every day for a few weeks. Mark is one example of someone who decided to find a silver lining during his time at home. Instead of being frustrated by the squirrels stealing the food, he decided to observe and learn. His findings are both funny and interesting! I hope you take the time to watch this video that Mark created about his experience - https://youtu.be/hFZFjoX2cGg .
This summer, look for the silver linings - I’d love to know what you see!
Mrs. Berntsen
Local COVID-19 Resources--let's delete this, too
ISD Family Supports Get help with technology, food, and transportation etc. Please connect with your counselor if you need further assistance.
King County COVID-19 Resource Guide
Financial help: small business owners, unemployment, immigrant communities, public health housing cash & utilities (updated as of April 24, 2020).
Counseling Team
School Counselors (Student Last Names):
(A-Ho) Kristen Brittain: brittaink@issaquah.wednet.edu
(Hp-Pa) Kirsi Varsa: varsak@issaquah.wednet.edu
(Pb-Z) Meagan Elliot: elliotm@issaquah.wednet.edu
School Based Mental Health Counselor
Rosie Bancroft: rosalie.bancroft@swedish.org
PBSES Coach
Tori Berntsen berntsenv@issaquah.wednet.edu
Registrar
Lakshmi Palaniappan: palaniappanl@issaquah.wednet.edu