Counselor's Corner
Ms. Andrews
August & September 2018-2019 School Year
Welcome Back-to-School!
MEET THE COUNSELOR
Welcome to the start of the 2018-2019 school year! I am Leatha Andrews--the school counselor at Holbrook Language Academy and Westwood Elementary School. As a school counselor, I look forward to working with you to ensure a smooth and positive experience for your child during the important elementary school years.
I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from California State University, Sacramento and my Teaching Credential from University of California, Davis. I earned my Master of Science in Counseling degree from Asuza Pacific University.
A few things about me...
- I have a daughter named Nahla and she is my absolute pride and joy!
- I LOVE music, art and all things that inspire creativity!
- I enjoy reading and staying current in my field. And I truly love my job as school counselor!
School Counseling Program
To help ensure students are reaching their full potential in school as well as developing skills to help them succeed in the world.
School Counseling Methods:
Classroom Guidance: Classroom lessons focused on topics such as bullying, growth mindset, character education, perseverance, career awareness, cooperation, goal setting, etc.
Group Counseling: Small groups of students receive support developing social and academic skills.
Individual Counseling: Individuals who are experiencing specific issues that impact their academics.
Counseling support is provided during the school day for up to thirty minutes (once a week) and between six to eight weeks in duration. My goal as a school counselor is to help your child become a more successful student.
Healthy Eating
Below are 4 simple tips to get your student going on the right foot.
1. Eating breakfast is important to start the day off right. Eggs with whole grain toast, fruit and yogurt, or whole grain cereal with milk and berries are several great choices.
2. Use the least amount of added sugar. The American Heart Association suggests that children and teens ages 2-18 limit added sugar to no more than 6 teaspoons (25 grams) per day. Added sugar provides no nutritional benefits and is found in a wide range of food from cookies, ketchup, salad dressings, sugar sweetened cereals (even some whole grain ones!), smoothies, to sweetened yogurts.
3. Pack a healthy snack. If you are packing snacks for your kids, here is a perfect opportunity to include at least one fruit and veggie. Smart snacks include fresh fruit (apple, pear, and bananas), Greek yogurt, baby carrots with hummus, and of course a bottle of water.
4. Keep portions healthy (no measuring cup required!). Regardless of what you feed your kids, it’s important to serve healthy portion sizes. For example, at dinner fill half the plate with veggies and a quarter with protein (think chicken or fish) and the other quarter with a healthy starch such as brown rice or sweet potatoes.
Study Skills
1. Get Organized. I encourage you to help your student stay organized by keeping materials in a folder or a binder. Fifth grade students will be using a planner during the school year. A planner can help your child keep everything organized. Students should write down assignments and to-do lists, then review items in the planner at both the beginning and end of the day to stay on track.
2. Know the Expectations. Students shouldn’t have any surprises when it comes to how and what they will be graded on. If you are not certain, ask questions. Teachers are there to help.
3. Designate a Study Area. Help your child by providing a quiet, well-lit, low-traffic space for study time. Take it one step further and set a policy with no cell phones or social media allowed until schoolwork is done.
4. Think Positively. Being in the right mindset can make all the difference. Encourage your child to think positively when studying or heading into an exam.
5. Practice Active Listening. Some tips to share with your child include: try concentrating on the main points being made, think about what the teacher is saying and pay attention to how things are said (gestures, tone of voice, etc.).
Sleep Habits
Maintain a consistent sleep schedule – Your child's bed time and wake up time should be about the same every day of the week, regardless if it is a school day or not.
Exercise daily – Have your child make exercise part of his or her daily routine. Incorporating exercise as a daily habit at a young age will help establish it as a daily life-long healthy routine.
Avoid caffeinated products – Your child should avoid products that contain caffeine in the late afternoon/evening.
Plan up to 1 hour of quiet time before bed – Before bedtime every night, allow your child to set aside up to 1 hour for calm, enjoyable activities such as reading a book. You should limit or avoid electronic devices before bedtime.
The bedroom environment – Your child's bedroom should be quiet, comfortable (70- 75° F), and dark (a nightlight is acceptable for children afraid of a dark bedroom).
Ms. Andrews
Holbrook Language Academy
(Monday, Tuesday and every other Wednesday)
(925) 685-6446
Westwood Elementary School
(Thursday, Friday and every other Wednesday)
(925) 685-4202 ext. 85111
Email: Andrewsl@mdusd.org
Website: http://www.mdusd.org
Phone: (925) 682-8000