Connecting with the Counselors
A Communication from Robinson Elementary's Counseling Team
May 8, 2022
Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, grandmothers, and care givers/guardians who fulfill the role of a mom for our kiddos! We celebrate you today and all you do that is seen (and unseen), as your child's first teacher. We want to say Happy FIRST Mother's Day to our very own Mrs. Sheilds-Capilla. She welcomed her first child just days ago!
Can you believe we are already in the last few weeks of the school year? We can't! This is the last counselors message of the year. We have a lot of information to share tonight, so settle in and read on (smile).
Last week Mrs. Cohen and Ms. Harris taught counseling lessons to all Robinson students on Tuesday and Wednesday. The focus of these lessons was Identity and Differences for students in Kindergarten-4th grade. See below for more information. Our 5th graders lesson was about problem solving and offered a special goodbye rock-- yes you read that right! Each 5th graders given a rock as a parting memento of being a student at Robinson. There is more information about that below as well.
Thank you for partnering with us this year. We love being a part of your student's life at Robinson each day. Whether it is in grade level lessons, small groups, at lunch and recess, or through one- on-one sessions, we feel honored to get to be a part of their skill building and life's journey.
If you missed April's communication, you can access it from this link:
Have a wonderful last 2-ish weeks and, as always, if you need to connect with one of us (except for Mrs. Sheilds-Capilla) you can find our contact information at the end of this message. With all of the transitions and changes at this time of the year, there may be a slight delay in getting back to you, but our goal is always to respond within 24 hours of your communication. If that has not been the case for any recent emails, please give us another reminder and reach out again! Thank you for understanding.
Ms. Harris and Mrs. Cohen teach about Identity
Students on our No Place 4 Hate committee share about NP4H with 2nd grade
The No Place 4 Hate Pledge all Students got to sign!
LAST COUNSELING LESSONS OF THE SCHOOL YEAR
A "ROCKY" GOODBYE TO OUR FIFTH GRADERS
A "see you soon" from Mrs. Ampey-Elong and Mrs. Cohen
From Mrs. Ampey-Elong:
Hello Robinson Families! I wanted to let you know that next year I will continue supporting multiple schools in my role as Kirkwood district social worker. Robinson will no longer be one of the schools I support, but will always have a spot in my heart. It has been an honor to serve the families and work with the students of Robinson as they learn and grow. I look forward to seeing you around the district and so this is not a goodbye so much as it is a see you around!
Mrs. Ampey-Elong
From Mrs. Cohen:
Hi Everyone! It has been my absolute honor to have been a Robinson staffer for the past 17 years-- as a teaching assistant, a secretary, and in my most recent role as a school counselor. I have learned from our amazing Robinson kiddos (and their caregivers!) in each role I have held over the years. Thank you for being a part of my time at Robinson and allowing me to learn and grow along the way. If our paths cross at some point please say "hi" and let me know how your student is doing-- I always love hearing about our kiddos!
You are in good hands with Ms. Harris and (I have no doubt) whoever joins the counseling team in my place.
Take care and be well,
Mrs. Cohen
SAVE THE DATE: Next Robinson Food Pantry: Thursday, May 19th!
If your family needs some assistance with groceries this month, please come and get what you need at our FREE Robinson Food Pantry.
Our pantry will be open from 6-7:30pm.
Keep an eye out for communication about summer pantry dates!
If you need further information or have a need but can't make it at that time, please call or email Julie, Indria or Tonya. All contact information can be found at the end of this communication.
Thanks!
A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR PTO!
As a counseling team we want to take this opportunity to say a special thank you to the staff appreciation committee and co-chairs Jill Krussel and Erin Triola. This past week of appreciation (and spoiling!) reminded us, once again, how lucky we are to have you.
We also offer much gratitude to PTO Robinson Cares co-chairs Kristi Conroy and Shannon Ross for their years of dedication-- especially through those first dark days/weeks of Covid. You have always risen to any occasion or need of our families. Currently this committee is working on Summer Essential Bags filling them with all things needed for a safer, healthier, and more enjoyable summer for our kiddos! We appreciate ALL of our PTO helpers and volunteers-- thank you very much!
Books to Celebrate Mental Health Awareness
MAY HAPPINESS Calendar 2022
A day-by-day guide to well-being. This month, we hope it helps you be calm, clear, and kind with others.
How to Talk With Your Child About the War in Ukraine
We love these FREE RESOURCES from Sesame Street in Communities
From Sesame Street in Communities (SSIC):
As providers caring for young children, you play such an important role in that growth, and we’re here to help. This month, we’re sharing resources to support you in helping children with big changes.
Changes can be difficult for young children (and grown-ups!) to navigate. Kids may have big feelings and big questions, but there are things you can do to help. Check out our newest resource bundle on working through change.
HOW DOES SCREEN TIME IMPACT LEARNING & BEHAVIORS: Teachers Weighed In
Missouri Medicaid Step-by Step Application Video
Check out and share this straightforward how-to video from the St. Louis Regional Health Commission! Learn who is qualified under Medicaid expansion, how to check your benefits status, and how to complete the online application for Medicaid in Missouri.
Signs of Kid Perfectionists
~ Always comparing themselves to others; can’t stand coming in second place or doing worse than others; wants to be the best and anything less not good enough
~ Migraines or headaches, stomach aches, trouble sleeping, or other physical ailments before, after, or during a performance
~ Too cautious about trying something new that may be outside of his area of expertise and mean he may not excel
~ May put others down. All in an effort to be their best and make the other person feel less perfect – or inadequate
~ May put the same high standards on others
~ Worrying it won’t be good enough; or fears failure. Avoids difficult or stressful tasks; leaves work unfinished out of fear it won’t be perfect
~ Concentrates on the mistake instead of the overall job or how well he performed
~ Way too hard on himself; can’t laugh at himself or his own mistakes
Read more here:
SIGN UP FOR THIS AMAZING RESOURCE TODAY!
We learned about a free, virtual 8-week grief support group that is offered at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital 3 times throughout the year (fall, spring, summer) as part of their community program.
The next session begins in June and they still have a spots open in each of the groups.
They have 3 separate grief support groups; one for adults, one for teens, and one for kids (6-12 y/o). It is inclusive to anyone grieving a death regardless of when or how it happened.
Here is the link to the kid/teen sign up: https://rankenjordan.org/form-view/67
Here is the link to the adult sign up: https://rankenjordan.org/form-view/66
Please feel free to help spread the word about this resource with your friends and reach out Katie Noll with any questions you may have. You can reach her at 314-323-2256 (cell) or 314-872-6481 (office).
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-Capilla
Educational Support Counselor
ana.shields@kirkwoodschools.org
314-213-6100, ext. 4065
*At Robinson all day Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday's until noon