CJHS Counselor Corner Newsletter
10.29.2021
Halloween Safety Tips
Older kids who go out on their own should:
- know their planned route and when they'll be coming home
- carry a cellphone
- go in a group and stay together
- only go to houses with porch lights on
- stay away from candles and other flames
- know to never go into strangers' homes or cars
For all kids:
- According Safe Kids Worldwide, the risk of kids being hit by a car is higher on Halloween than on any other day of the year. So make sure all kids:
- walk on sidewalks on lit streets (never through alleys or across lawns)
- walk from house to house (never run) and always walk facing traffic when walking on roads
- cross the street at crosswalks and never assume that vehicles will stop
- Give kids flashlights with fresh batteries. Kids may also enjoy wearing glow sticks as bracelets or necklaces.
- Limit trick-or-treating to your neighborhood and the homes of people you know.
Click here for more Halloween Health & Safety tips.
Note Taking
Tips to keep your notes in order
1. Have a notebook for each class -> 6 classes = 6 notebooks
2. Write the date on your notes- keep your notes in chronological order to help when you study
3. Start each day on a new sheet of paper - keeping your notes clean is helpful when trying to stay organized
4. Underline or highlight key words- making vocabulary words stand out will help you recognize important meanings that you need to remember
5. Use abbreviations
The Outlining Method
The Outlining note taking method uses headings and bullet points to organize topics. This method is most useful when learning about topics that include a lot of detail.
ADVANTAGES:
Allows notes to be neatly organized.
It is easy to see the relationship between topics and subtopics.
It is easy to turn points into study questions.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
Each section starts with a heading of the main topic. Each subtopic and supporting fact is written underneath the proper heading.
HOW DO YOU USE IT?
During a lesson, begin your notes with a single bullet point and write the main topic.
Place the first subtopic below and indented slightly to the right.
List any details below your heading and slightly to the right.
The Mapping Method
The Mapping note taking method is a more visual way to organize your class notes. This technique is useful when learning about relationships between topics.
ADVANTAGES:
Useful for visual learners who struggle with studying from notes.
Helps you remember and connect relationships between topics.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
The page is organized by topic. The main topics branch out into subtopics with detailed information about each.
HOW DO YOU USE IT?
While in class, begin the map with the main topic.
Branching off the main topic, write a heading for each of the subtopics.
Write any important notes underneath each subtopic.
Continue the pattern.
Beneficial Reads
Mental Health Resources
virtual support groups
To help Michiganders through the mental health challenges of COVID-19, behavioral health professionals at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services created the Stay Well Crisis Counseling Program, funded by a federal grant. Through this program, virtual support groups are being offered for the following populations:
- Be Kind To Your Mind - A support group for everyone
- People Who Are Grieving
- Michigan Teens (14-17 years old)
- Older Adults in Michigan
- Healthcare Workers and First Responders
- Michigan Families (Parents)
- Michigan Educators
You can find more information pertaining to these virtual support groups here.
drop-in meditation
With the pandemic, Michigan Collaborative for Mindfulness in Education (MC4ME) and other statewide organizations are offering you the opportunity to practice mindfulness meditation through Zoom in the mornings and lunch hour. Join us during the half hour time slot to refresh yourself and feel free to stay as long as you feel comfortable or available.
You can access the schedule for drop in meditation here.
free wellness practices from down dog!
Stressful times like the COVID-19 outbreak are precisely when people need wellness practices the most, and we want to do our part to help out.
In response to rising cases and school closures taking place, we have made all of our apps completely free until January 1st, 2022 for all students and teachers (K-12 and college) so that they can have access to wellness at home through the end of the semester.
If you have a .edu email address, you will automatically get free access to our apps when you sign up. Otherwise, if you are a student or teacher who would like free access to our apps, please fill out the short form here to add your email domain to our list of school emails.
Once you submit your form, we promise to get you access within 48 hours! And after your school domain has been added to our list, anyone from your school will be able to easily sign up!
Community Events
Shoes for kids in need / volunteer opportunity
Shoes for Kids in need:
The Rotary Club of Clarkston is hosting its annual “Shoes for Kids” program. During this one-day event the Rotary Club assists families by supplying new shoes and boots, as well as hats, gloves or mittens to Clarkston school children in need, from walking age up to children in Junior High Grade 9 (at no expense to the family or guardian).
As a parent or guardian, if you wish to sign your child/children for this shoe and boot program, please complete requested information before Monday, November 8, 2021.
This may be done in two ways:
Complete the attached form and return the signed form to your child’s teacher or social worker.
Complete this online form and submit: https://forms.gle/p648b6FszmmpX2NQ9
Please include shoe and/or boot sizes for each child listed below. Only one form per family is needed.
Completing the form does not necessarily ensure that all families applying will be accepted for the “Shoes for Kids” program. Forms to be validated by school personnel.
An invitation letter with a specific appointment time on Saturday, November 20th to be held at Calvary Lutheran Church will be mailed directly to those families participating by the first week of November. All children listed on the invitation letter must attend on November 20th in order to receive shoes and boots -- no vouchers can be issued.
The “Shoes for Kids” shoe distribution day will be on Saturday, November 20, 2021.
Volunteers needed to support Shoes for Kids program:
There are multiple opportunities for you to contribute to the success of the 43rd annual “Shoes for Kids” program for the over 400 students who will benefit from it. Children from Clarkston Community Schools have the opportunity to get new shoes, winter boots, hats, and gloves. In addition, there are other community partners who provide other items and services. The Clarkston Optimist Club will be providing new socks through their “Opti-Socks program; Clarkston Area Lions Club will offer “Project Kidsight” free eye exams; local dentists donating toothbrushes and toothpaste; personal hygiene products handed out; and, MPK Photography will offer a free family portrait.
Sign up to volunteer to sell newspapers on November 12 and 13 and December 3 and 4. 100% of the proceeds will go towards supporting Shoes for Kids.
Sign up to volunteer to set up or serve on November 19 and/or November 20. Students have the opportunity to try on shoes and pick out the ones that they want. You can help to check in families, be a guide, help with shoe fitting, and many other things.
Donate hygiene products. Items needed include body wash, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, and laundry detergent. Some drop-off locations are Calvary Lutheran Church, Waypoint Church, Clarkston Community Church, and Clarkston Independence District Library.
Community Impact Weekend happens twice a year and is an opportunity for the community to come together to support various projects. This fall we have the opportunity to provide support on November 6-7 by:
volunteering to do home repairs and backyard clean-ups
participating in a “Rake and Run”
making tie blankets
assembling “Suds Galore” toiletry bags to hand out at Shoes for Kids, and
Supporting projects at local businesses: O.A.T.S. Horse Ranch, North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy, Bittersweet Farms, and Clarkston Family Farm.
Gather your family and friends to join you, or perhaps you have a group of students you would like to bring together to volunteer to Rake and Run as a group. Please sign-up to indicate your participation in this fall’s Community Impact Weekend!
oakland county resources
If you or someone you may know is in need of assistance due to COVID-19, please see the Oakland County resources page here.
Resources include:
- Food assistance
- Senior services
- Health services (including Nurse on call)
- Mental Health services
- LGBTQ+ services
- Household & Utility services
- Legal services
- Safety services
- Workers & Business
- Multilingual Assistance
virtual tutor connection
If you need some extra help with school, please fill out this form for we can find your a tutor that is knowledgeable in the area(s) you need help with.
mother & son night of fall fun
Join us for our annual Mother and Son Night of Fall Fun! There will be our favorite DJ, a magic show, treats, and games! All couples will receive a free 4x6 photo taken by a professional photographer.
Registration for this event will close on Friday, November 5th at 4:00pm (or until tickets are sold out). Please see our flyer below for more details and how to register.
You can also follow us on our Facebook event - Mother & Son Night of Fall Fun - to receive updated information on all the fun plans we have this year!
CJHS Counseling Department Staff
Mrs. Eva Marie Rottach, Counseling Secretary
Phone: 248.623.5690
Fax: 248.623.5679
Mrs. Sarah Hester, Counselor A-G
Phone: 248.623.5689
Mrs. Shannon Donnellon, Counselor H-O
smdonnellon@clarkston.k12.mi.us
Phone: 248.623.5692
Ms. Allison Cumper, Counselor P-Z
Phone: 248.623.5691
Mrs. Lynn Larsen, Social Worker
Phone: 248.623.5686
Mrs. Natalie Stevens, Social Worker
Phone: 248.620.7803
Mrs. Renee Alexander, Psychologist
raalexander@clarkston.k12.mi.us
Phone: 248.623.5688
Mrs. Kathryn Fleming, Speech-Language Pathologist
Mrs. Susan Joseph, Department Chair for Support Services, Teacher
Phone: 248.623.5687