MV Elementary Counseling
March 2023
Focus and Concentration
Everyone experiences interruptions throughout the day, and it is no different in school. Distractions are a part of life - sometimes necessary, and sometimes frustrating. Working with students in grades K-4, we are learning how to handle our focus when something distracts us: someone knocks on the classroom door, a student sharpens their pencil, there is a noice in the hallway, etc. One of the learning videos we have used and refer to often terms those distractions as bubbles popping in the background. We must find a way to remain focused on our task at hand and ignore the popping bubbles. Easier said than done! However, practice really does help in this department. Ask your child how they maintain their focus amid the popping bubbles - I bet they have some great strategies!
Pk-4 Elementary lessons
Academic & Social/Emotional - Emotion Management, Problem Solving
Elementary counseling lessons take place in the classrooms once/every other week for 30 minutes.
Pre-K: Lovey-Dovey and Turtle Dove are still special guests. It is amazing how just adding a special stuffy can encourage young ones to practice self control while they wait their turn and follow the rules (NO ONE wants to dissapoint Love-Dovey βΊοΈ). We continue to practice our class participation, transitioning from one task to another, following directions (with more than one step now!) to help be ready for the transition to Kindergarten.
K: Harold B Wigglebottom is a new favorite character! In the month of February he helped reinforce learning about following our hearts and how to calm down when we are angry. There are several books on his website along with coloring pages and short sing-a-longs free to all. https://wedolisten.org/
1st: We finished up our online safety lessons and spent last week talking about something we can be all too familiar with at this age and stage: tattling! We read the book A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue by Julia Cook. There are 4 rules to follow . . . I won't spoil it - ask your child if they can tell you any. π
2-4: We continue to talk about online safety and responsibility (Commonsensemedia.org). As we being to move into quarter 4, and think about spring, we turn our attention to using what we have been learning to help us as we have more independent play outside and make the transition to the next grade level in school. We want students to understand the difference between a "kid-sized" problem (one they can solve easily on their own) and when to involve a grown-up. This takes time and practice and will be a recurring theme in my lessons through the end of the year.
Grades 5-6 Elementary Lessons
Academic, Personal and Career Success
Grade 5: We have had great conversations around online safety and responsibility. Your children are very savvy and aware of many of the traps and dangers that go along with internet access. One goal I want to emphasize with them is that any time they have a bad feeling or concern about anything when they are online (searching things, gaming, chatting with friends), they should go to you, their parent, or another trusted adult. They should treat an online situation just as they would one in real-life.
Grade 6: Wrapping up our online safety and responsibility, we turn to transition preparation for 7th grade. Last month: study/school habits. One area that seemed a little perplexing to them - but also resonated at the same time - was taking the teacher's perspective. For instance: A student doesn't understand a question on a worksheet and so doesn't finish it and doesn't hand it in. Why is this a bad strategy? Asking the teacher about a question is exactly what they would want you to do! They want to teach!! π Avoiding the teacher and not turning in the work sends a message - maybe not intended, but it still sends a message nonetheless. As preteen students' minds and personalities develop, this ability to consider another's point of view is also developing - and will serve them well as they transition from elementary school to junior high.
Camp Grassick
Not your ordinary camp!
Elks Camp Grassick is a summer camp for children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities. In 1947, Camp Grassick was purchased by the North Dakota Elks and has been run as their major project since that time. Each summer, Camp Grassick serves close to 200 children and adults with special needs through 6 different camping sessions. Elks Camp Grassick provides therapies such as reading intervention, speech and language and occupational therapy along with recreation, crafts and waterfront activities. Our mission is to provide a summer camp experience where children and adults can learn, grow, and build friendships while fostering independence in a supportive and accepting environment.β
Click on the image to learn more about signing up and the different camp opportunities available.
MV has a therapist on site weekly!
Meet Carlee Gebeke - Counselor with the Village providing services at MV!
I received my Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2020 and I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. I enjoy working with children and adolescents in the school-based setting and utilize a strength-based approach to help them achieve their goals. I enjoy making connections with clients and working alongside them in their journey towards personal growth. I am trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), which I utilize to address traumatic experiences in children and adolescents. I also have experience working with other concerns including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and self-esteem. In my personal life I enjoy water sports, snowboarding, DIY projects, and time with friends, family, and my dog, Hopper.
Wondering if your child might benefit from these services?
Who might be a good candidate for this service?
- Any student experiencing a particularly difficult time that affects their quality of life and academic success.
- Students who are already seeking outside therapy services and would like to eliminate lost school time because of travel.
- Students on a waiting list for therapy services.
How to sign up?
- Call or email the school counselor, Julie Kaspari (julie.kaspari@k12.nd.us; 701-749-2570); or
- Call or email your child's teacher and they will be in touch with me to begin the process.
Maple Valley Backpack Meal Program
Would a little extra in the pantry help over the weekends?
Maple Valley School participates in the Backpack program where students who enroll may receive a package of shelf-stable food on Fridays (or the last day of the week) in their lockers to take home over the weekend. This program is anonymous and confidential.
To learn more and/or enroll, please click the image at right. You may also email me directly at julie.kaspari@k12.nd.us.
Maple Valley School Counselor
My name is Julie Kaspari, and I serve as the School Counselor for all grade levels at Maple Valley School.