Elementary Counseling Corner
Summer POWERFUL Parenting Edition
Coronavirus (COVID-19) & Our Kiddos
THANK YOU BRICKIE FAMILIES! WE SALUTE YOU!
E-LEARNING was not what we expected to end the school year but in the true BRICKIE spirit, our families became flexible, problem-solved and adapted to change. WE MISS ALL OF YOU! A special shout out to all the STAFF members who learned many new programs, skills, and provided exceptional learning while taking care of their own families.
Please take this time to read this newsletter. It is filled with helpful information and guidelines.
WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!
#BRICKIESTRONG #BRICKIEFAMILY
CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION (COVID-19)
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Clean your hands often
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Facts about Coronavirus
BE ACTIVE AT HOME DURING COVID-19 OUTBREAK
- Play, play. play-board games, dress-up, put on shows
- Practice math facts, read, write stories-keep learning!!
- Build legos or make crafts
- Paint, draw, write stories (painting rocks can be fun too!),
- Help parent cook, clean
- Play an instrument/Sing a song
- Dance to music or try online exercise class
- Play ACTIVE video games
- Try skipping rope, riding a bike, practicing sports skills, making an obstacle course
- Write cards to family, friends and community workers
Coping Thoughts
- I am always important, no matter what.
- This is hard but I can get through it.
- I can take deep breaths and get busy doing something.
- This is tough, but so am I.
- Not everything will go my way, but I will try to be flexible.
- I can do this! I am BRICKIE STRONG and I have done hard things before.
- Everything will get better, sooner or later.
- IF I STAY STRONG I KNOW I WILL GET THROUGH IT!!!!!
#Work Hard #Be Nice #Stay Safe
E-LEARNING FINISH LINE
YOU GOT THIS!
- Make sure to reach out to your child's teachers if you need help.
- Feeling lonely, sad, depressed, overwhelmed, etc. (Email your counselor for some advice)
- Make sure all work is submitted before the deadline.... Many teachers will finish on Tuesday, April 28th. Check in with your teachers.
- Double check for missing assignments.
- STAY POSITIVE! WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month/Creating Positive Childhood Experiences
WHAT TO DO WHEN I MAKE A MISTAKE
- Mistakes are for learning so learn from it
- Break it down into small steps
- Try again
- Forgive yourself and think of ways to handle it more effectively
- Talk to people you trust to help you see things from a new perspective
- Brainstorm ways to do it better next time
- Take responsibility for what you did
- Apologize and make sure it doesn't happen again
- Recognize that you are one step closer to getting it right
When you're feeling ANGRY, take the time to TACO 'about it!
A: Ask for help
C: Choose calm words
O: Overcome the obstacle
Free Educational Websites for Home
Sometimes screen time is a necessity if we have children at home and work we need to do. Here are some apps that make screen time a learning time:
- CodeMonkey: a game-based education program that teaches children to code. It comes with a membership fee, but there's a free 14-day trial that doesn't require a credit card.
- BrainPop: Online learning across subject areas for children in kindergarten through middle school and ELL learning for all age groups. Free.
- Khan Academy: Online learning in math, science, and literacy for all age groups. Standards-aligned. Free.
- BrainPop: Fun, interactive educational activities for all ages and all subject areas
- Scholastic Learn at Home: Interactive learning journeys for all ages.
HEADING INTO SUMMER 2020
Mock Summer Schedule
8:00-10:00 AM BREAKFAST, CHORES AND LEARNING
10:00-12:00 OUTDOORS AND FREEPLAY
12:00-12:30 PM LUNCH
12:30-2 READ/COLOR/CRAFT/BUILD LEGOS/OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES/MAKE A FORT OR ROBOT
2:00-4:00 PM TACKLE YOUR TO DO LIST/CONTINUE BEING ACTIVE
4:00-5:00 PM RELAX AND READ A BOOK or LISTEN TO MUSiC
5:00-6:00 DINNER and HELP CLEAN UP
6:00-7:30 FAMILY TIME
7:30-8:30 Bedtime Routine and Celebrate the Good Things that Happened Today!
8:30-9:00 PM GOOD NIGHT! (earlier for younger children)
6 WAYS TO FEEL HAPPIER & CALMER
- Recognize you're doing the best you can and that is all you can expect from yourself.
- Journal daily- and count your blessings.
- Take 5-10 minutes to meditate daily. Or simply sit in silence.
- Spend time with family. Dont' be afraid to ask for support.
- Take care of your health. Eat well. Sleep well. Drink water.
- Focus 20% on problems & 80% on solutions. Let go of what you can't control!
I'm Bored! Now What?
- Teach yourself a new skill
- Make an activity list and pick one thing to do from it
- Practice sport or music skills
- Dance or exercise
- Clean your room
- Help with yardwork
- Read a book or Draw a Picture
- Clean
- Begin learning a new language
- Start a journal
- Help with chores in the house
- Do a puzzle
- TRY A NEW RELAXING HOBBY!!!!!!
10 POWERFUL HABITS FOR YOUTH
- INVEST IN YOURSELF
- INVEST IN EXPERIENCES
- KNOW YOURSELF BETTER
- BE OK WITH SAYING NO POLITELY
- EMBRACE THE SMALL THINGS
- CHALLENGE YOUR VIEWS
- SPEND MORE TIME IN NATURE
- CHOOSE THE RIGHT FRIENDS
- MEDITATE DAILY
- STAY ACTIVE
SUMMER ACTIVITY LIST
- Arts & Crafts
- Paint
- Draw
- Bake
- Build, Make Slime
- Tie-Dye Shirts
TUESDAY- TAKE A TRIP TUESDAY
- Park
- Library
- Go on a Hike
- Take a Bike Ride
- Fish
- Go to Relative's House and Wave
WEDNESDAY- WATER DAY WEDNESDAY
- Visit a Pond & Look for frogs
- Have a squirt water gun fight
- Dance in the rain
- Help family water garden/plants
- Swim if permitted
THURSDAY- THINKING & THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY
- Conduct Science experiments
- Read books, magazines, comics
- Pick flowers for someone you care about
- Random act of kindness-do something for someone you care about
- Walk the dog
FRIDAY- FUN DAY OUTDOORS FRIDAY
- Catch bugs
- Camp in the backyard
- Play flashlight tag
- Play in the sprinkler
- Go on a scavenger hunt
I LOVE TO WRITE BUT WHAT SHOULD I WRITE?
- Identify a moment in your life that made you feel like you had SUPERPOWERS. What did you do exceptionally well? How did circumstances change as a result of your actions?
- If you had the power to make one thing better, what would you change and why?
- What would you like to go back and tell a teacher from your past?
- Name three things you will do if you weren't so afraid.
- Write about a dream you had?
- Write about a happy memory
- If your favorite toy could talk, what would it say?
- Outside of your family, who is someone that has made a difference in your life?
- If you had your own talk show, who would you like to interview?
- If people knew the real you, what would they think?
HELPING PARENTS/GUARDIANS
Before Bed Reminders
- PICK UP AROUND THE HOUSE
- PLAN FOR TOMORROW
- Check Calendar
- Gather up things needed for the morning and put them in a visible spot.
- Mentally plan breakfast
- Pack lunches if needed
- Pre-pare for tomorrow night's dinner
- Plan clothes for tomorrow
3 . GET READY FOR BED
- Take vitamins or medications (parent gives)
- Brush teeth
- Wash and moisturize face
- Put on Pj's
- Relax: read, watch tv, listen to music, meditate
- Go to bed at a decent time :)
STRUGGLING WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR FAMILY AT NIGHT
- Movie Night
- Icecream Sunday Bar
- Family Nature Walk
- Dance Party
- Family Video
- Play Board Games/Cards
- Truth or Dare
- Puzzle Time
- Family Book Club
- FAMILY PHOTOSHOOT (THE BEST MEMORIES EVER)
Family Conversation Starters
- What makes you feel loved?
- Where would you fly if you had wings? Why?
- If you had one wish, what will it be?
- If you could plan a fmaily trip, where would we go and what would we do?
- What is your favorite season and why?
- What is your favorite song right now and why?
- Describe yourself in 3 words.
- What is your favorite chore? What about your least favorite chore?
- What are you most proud of?
- Describe someone else in this family in 3 words.
WOULD YOU RATHER QUESTIONS
- Would you rather eat fruits or vegetables?
- Would you rather eat spaghetti or tacos?
- Would you rather go swimming or fishing?
- Would you rather camp in a tent or in a camper?
- Would you rather go to the zoo or the park?
SHARING THE LOVE WITH OTHERS
- HOLD THE DOOR FOR SOMEONE ELSE
- DO A CHORE FOR SOMEONE WITHOUT THEM KNOWING
- CALL YOUR GRANDPARENTS AND ASK THEM ABOUT THEIR CHILDHOOD LIFE
- PICK UP LITTER
- TAKE TURNS SHARE TOYS
- COMPLIMENT SOMEONE
- WRITE A THANK YOU NOTE FOR YOUR MAIL CARRIER
- CHECK IN ON NEIGHBOR
- SEND A CARD TO A SERVICE MEMBER/HERO
- SET THE TABLE FOR DINNER
FEELING SOME TYPE OF WAY
5- List 5 things you can SEE
4- List 4 things you can FEEL
3- List 3 things you can HEAR
2- List 2 things you can SMELL
1- List something POSITIVE about yourself! YOU ARE LOVED!
A GOOD FRIEND IS SOMEONE WHO.....
- RESPECTS
- SUPPORTS
- FORGIVES
- ACCEPTS EVERYONE
- LISTENS
- SHARES
- GIVES HELP
- SMILES
- CARES
- TAKES TURNS
- IS NICE TO YOU
BE GOOD FRIEND
- Think before you speak
- Uses KIND words-Is it true? Is it Kind? Does it NEED to be said by You?
- Use your hands to HELP not HURT
- Share
- Be Trustworthy
- Make good choices
- Make eye contact when we talking
- Have a CARING heart
- Respect differences and try other ideas
- Forgive others when they make mistakes
TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU WOULD LIKE THEM TO TREAT YOU IN THAT SITUATION!
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
The 9 P's
- PASSWORDS- Do you create secure passwords?
- PRIVATE INFORMATION- How well do you protect your private information?
- PERSONAL INFORMATION- Do you keep your personal details private?
- PHOTOGRAPHS- Are the pictures you post secure and in good taste?
- PROPERTY- Do you understand and respect property rights?
- PERMISSION- Have you given credit where credit is due?
- PROTECTION-Are you safely browsing the internet?
- PROFESSIONALISM- Do you balance professionalism with your digital identity?
- PERSONAL BRAND- How do you want to be perceived online?
10 INTERNET SAFETY TIPS FOR PARENTS
- Use Parental Blocks. Help your child learn to use technology SAFELY and POSITIVELY.
- Take an INTEREST in your child's favorite apps or sites. Co-view or co-create at times.
- Be the parent. You're in charge. Set BOUNDARIES and consider using filtering software. Also check history and KNOW what your child is viewing.
- Create a family media AGREEMENT with tech free zones such as bikes, bedrooms, and meals.
- Teach your child what PERSONAL INFORMATION they should not reveal online.
- Help your child learn to FILTER information online and navigate face from fiction.
- Navigate digital DILEMMAS with your child. Have a plan on what to do.
- BALANCE activity time and screen time at home. Focus on basic developmental needs.
- Don't support your child to sign up for sites with AGE RESTRICTIONS if they're underage.
- LEARN MORE: Explore reliable resources for parents so you can educate yourself.
PROTECT CHILDREN FROM CYBER BULLYING
- DO NOT RESPOND- To rude or harassing context.
- COLLECT PROOF- Save screen shots of emails and text messages.
- REPORT FAKE PROFILE- Contact the social media right away.
- REPORT FAKE WEBSITE- Contact the website administrator right away if someone is harrassing, hurting or intimidating your child.
- BLOCK BULLIES/DELETE PROFILES- Block/Delete the bully and create a new profile but check your privacy settings first.
- BLOCK NUMBERS- Parents can block the number that is hurting their child. Changing your phone number can be another option.
TYPES OF BULLYING
- PHYSICAL- bullying is harming someone or someone's things in a physical way such as:
- Shoving
- Hitting
- Tripping
- Kicking
- Breaking or ruining another person's things
- VERBAL- bullying is harming someone with spoken or written words such as:
- Name-Calling
- Making threats
- Rude or inappropriate comments
- Writing hurtful comments
- EMOTIONAL- bullying is harming someone by trying to damage their reputation or relationships such as:
- Ignoring or excluding
- Spreading rumors
- Manipulating or controlling the person to do what the bully wants.
- Embarrassing the person.
- CYBER- bullying is harming someone using technology such as text messages, social media, etc. Examples include:
- Posting inappropriate photos
- Sending mean or threatening messages
- Creating a fake account
Bullying
Cyber Bullying
Bullying
HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER! WE MISS YOU AND WILL SEE YOU SOON!
Child Abuse Reporting and Prevention Guidelines
Sherry Finnerty, MS.Ed.
Joan Martin Elementary School
Charlene Zager, LCSW
Liberty Elementary
Lindsey Megyesi, MS. Ed.
Ridge View Elementary
Brittney Schmidt, MS.Ed
Early Learning Center at George Earle