Counseling Newsletter Extravaganza
March and April, 2024
SPRING IS IN THE AIR
As we begin the last nine weeks of the school year, the Col. Ben Narbuth Elementary Counselors would like to remind everyone to please take some time for self-care and reach out if you need us. We are here to help and to make the rest of this 2023-2024 school year a little bit better and make a smooth transition to the next school year.
Welcome to our Counseling Newsletter
The Essential Role of an ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COUNSELOR
The following is the Role of a School Counselor:
Research shows that the implementation of a school counseling program, as outlined by “The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs,” has a positive impact on student achievement. The development and implementation of these programs require leadership from well-trained, highly competent elementary school counselors and includes a collaborative effort with school administrators, classroom teachers, school staff and community stakeholders.
The elementary years are a time when students begin to develop their academic self-concept and feelings of competence and confidence as learners. They are beginning to develop decision-making, communication, and life skills, as well as character values. It is also a time when students develop and acquire attitudes toward school, self, peers, social groups, and family.
Elementary school counselors are educators uniquely trained in child development, learning strategies, self-management, and social skills, who understand and promote success for today’s diverse students. They implement a school counseling program to support students through this important developmental period. The program provides education, prevention, and intervention activities, which are integrated into all aspects of children’s lives. The program teaches knowledge, attitudes and skills students need to acquire in academic, career and social/emotional development, which serve as the foundation for future success.
Elementary school counselors do not work in isolation; rather, they are integral to the total educational program. They provide a proactive program that engages students and includes leadership, advocacy and collaboration with school staff, administration, and community/family members in the delivery of programs and activities to help students achieve success.
Elementary school counselors also collaborate with teachers and parents on early identification and intervention of children’s academic and social/emotional needs, which is essential in removing barriers to learning and developing skills and behaviors critical for academic achievement.
How Can A School Counselor Help Your Child?
The delivery of this program includes:
Direct student services including: instruction – teaching the school counseling curriculum to students focused through the lens of selected student standards from the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success.
Appraisal and advisement – assessing student abilities, interests and achievement to help them make decisions about their future.
Counseling – providing professional assistance and support to a student or small group of students during times of transition, heightened stress, critical change or other situations impeding student success.
School counselors DO NOT PROVIDE THERAPY nor LONG TERM COUNSELING in schools. However, school counselors are prepared to recognize and respond to student mental health needs and assist students and families seeking resources.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
LESSONS FROM SPRING
Counseling Referral Form
Button for Referral Form (if unable to use QR code)
Thank you!
MEET YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELORS
Salvador R. Chavez
Student Council Advisor
Email: schave@sisd.net
Website: https://www.sisd.net/colbennarbuth
Location: 12901 Bob Hope Drive, El Paso, TX, USA
Phone: (915)938-2812
Twitter: @SRChavez_BNES
Sara Castillo
12901 Bob Hope Drive, El Paso, TX 79928
(915)938-2813
Follow me on Twitter @SCastillo_BNES
Communities In Schools
A Message from Our CIS Coordinator
The mission of Communities In School of El Paso is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. I will be working with students and families in the areas of attendance, academics, behaviors, health & human service referrals, and supportive guidance. If you'd like to enroll your student in our campus Communities In School program, please contact me.
My door is always open, please feel free to contact me anytime.
Cristina Gonzalez
12901 Bob Hope Dr. El Paso, TX 79928
CIS Program CoordinatorPhone: 915.938.2814
Email: cgonza70@sisd.net
COUNSELOR CLASSROOM LESSONS FOR MARCH AND APRIL 2024
- Test Anxiety
- Study and Test Taking Skills
- More Self Care and Mindfulness
- Transition to Middle School
- Strategies for Relaxation and Calming Techniques
- Small groups on Friendships and Anxiety
PRACTICING SELF CARE
ATTENTION PARENTS OF FIFTH GRADE STUDENTS
The Eastlake Middle School counselors visited our campus on February 5, 2024. They shared the link to your child's course request form for next school year. Students were given the option of choosing their electives for next year and also choose between regular or honors courses. If you missed their deadlines, please feel free to contact the sixth grade counselor, Ms. Saira Armendariz, at (915)938-3014. Best of luck at Eastlake Middle School, Home of the Ravens!!!!
Note to all Parents/Guardians
You may also stop by the campus; however, we may not be available to see you at that specific moment since we may be conducting classroom lessons, meeting with our small groups or individuals, or in a meeting. Therefore, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you make an appointment with us directly so that we can secure the time and date just for you.
You can set up an appointment by:
- Calling either Mr. Chavez or Ms. Castillo. If you are leaving a message, please include your child's name (first and last name), your name, and a good call back number. Please make sure that your phone numbers are all up-to-date in Skyward.
- Send us an email.
- Fill out the referral form to set up an appointment with us.
We are very happy and eager to continue working with you and your child/children. Looking forward to working with you as we have now approached the second semester of the 2023-2024 school year!
HOME CONNECTION
STRATEGIES FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS ON MINDULNESS
Mindfulness is the awareness and acceptance of the present moment. Developing a
practice of mindfulness nurtures a sense of quiet inner peace, improves one’s ability to
learn, and promotes deeper and more meaningful relationships. Studies show that a
practice of mindfulness helps students focus better, leading to increased learning,
improved mental health and wellbeing, and better decision-making and social skills.
Mindfulness lessons encourage students to:
- Be Aware of how their bodies are feeling.
- Find Balance by taking a deep breath.
- Become Calm and relax.
Here are a few ways that you can encourage your child’s mindful practice:
• Provide a model for your child by cultivating awareness of your own body.
Consider incorporating a yoga or other movement practice into your daily
routine.
• Have your child lay down and place a stuffed animal on his or her tummy.
Encourage your child to breathe normally and notice how the stuff animal moves
up and down.
• Before any transition from one activity to another, have your child pause and use
the ABCs of mindfulness to notice how his or her body is feeling.
Encouraging your child to be more mindful and by focusing on his or her body will help
him or her quiet his or her brain and feel calmer. This will result in helping him or her
feel happier and more relaxed.
(adapted from Rethink ED MINDFULNESS)
PBIS Reward Activities Have Been a Great Success Here at Col Ben Narbuth
THANK YOU, JACKRABBITS!!!💛💛
We want to take this time to thank everyone at Col. Ben Narbuth Elementary School for making our Counselor Appreciation Week so incredibly awesome and memorable. We feel very blessed to be working with such an amazing community. From the bottom of our counselor hearts, THANK YOU!