Blackshear SEL & Counselor's Corner
Oct. 18th-Oct. 22nd
Dear Yellow Jackets,
Let's Learn About Feelings!
Even When It's Hard, Try to Remember the Following...
Dinner Time/Family Time Conversation Questions
Where do you feel that feeling in your body?
When do you feel cared for and cared about?
What makes you happy? How do you know?
What makes you sad? Where do you feel that feeling in your body?
When you feel frustrated, what helps you feel better?
How does your body send you a signal? Check Out This Read Aloud!
Check Out Zones of Regulation
Helping Kids Manage Their Emotions is HARD! Remember Be Kind To Yourself! You Are Trying. Here Are Some Tips!
Less Talking....More Listening!
The most important technique when a child or teen is struggling with emotions is to actively listen to them. This means giving distraction-free attention to a child and really hearing them out. It helps to remain judgement free while a child or teen is expressing their emotions. Try to avoid taking over the conversation. Instead, ask prompting questions that might help them share more information about how they are feeling and what they need. Sometimes, this can take a while, but if you chat long enough, valuable information is almost always given.
Beyond all of that, sometimes someone just need to be heard. A few prompts for starting the conversation might include:
- “What’s going on?”
- “I noticed you’re struggling with ______ today. What’s up?”
- “Talk to me. How are you feeling?”
- “Let’s chat.”
- “How would you rate how you’re feeling from 0-10?”
They Need Your Help to Regulate.
Co-regulation is the process of actually sitting with kids and teens to calm down together. It’s most helpful if these strategies and techniques have already been practiced ahead of time. This is just because of how the brain works. When kids and teens are overwhelmed, they don’t think as clearly. It’s difficult for them to pick up a new coping skill on the fly. If we want them to use these strategies when they truly are overwhelmed, we need to teach them before.
Even so, sometimes in the moment it can be difficult to embrace the idea of calming strategies. This is why co-regulation can be so powerful. Adults are modeling the skills they want kids and teens to do.
You can start by offering or suggesting a strategy. For example, you might say, “Let’s take a few minutes and color together.” Another idea is to offer a choice between two activities. If neither of those seem to work, just choose a calm down strategy and do it on your own near the child. Quite often, the learner will pick it up and try too.
Here are a few coping strategies that might work best:
- Coloring or drawing
- Reading a book or magazine
- Reading positive self-talk statements
- Exercising
- Practicing mindfulness
- Journal writing
- Organizing something
- Doing a puzzle
- Mindful breathing
- Mindful journaling
Social Emotional Learning
Blackshear SEL Committee
Mr. Albrect (3rd Grade Teacher). Ms. Lopez-Gomez (School Counselor)
Ms. Riggs (Music Teacher). Ms. Rosie (CIS Manager)
Ms. Crawford (4th Grade Teacher) Ms. Galloway (2nd Grade Teacher)
A message from Ms. Lopez-Gomez
Remember that I am here to help in any way that I can. Please do not hesitate to contact me by phone or e-mail.
Phone Number: 512-414-2021
Google Voice: 512-777-1535
Email: Julissa.Lopez@AustinISD.Org
IMPORTANT DATES & INFORMATION
Dear Parents,
It’s that time of year again, Red Ribbon Week! Every year at Blackshear Elementary we honor Enrique Camarena, a drug enforcement officer who lost his life in the line of duty fighting against drugs. The Red Ribbon became the symbol to reduce the use of illegal drugs and violence. This year at Blackshear, we will celebrate the choice of living a healthy life free of drugs and violence through the various events listed below. We encourage you to talk with your child throughout the week about living drug-free and to participate in honoring Mr. Camarena’s legacy! Red Ribbon Week will take place October 25th-November 1st.
Monday
We are RED-y to live a healthy life!
(Wear a red shirt with jeans)
Tuesday
Portrait of Good Health & A Good Friend
Picture Day at School
Wednesday
Take my hand and make a stand!
(Wear Orange & jeans for Unity, Anti-Bullying, and Acceptance)
No Place for Hate Blackshear Unity Parade will happen at 7:40 the morning!
The classes that show the most creativity, effort, and who wear the most orange shirts will win a pizza party! Yum! There will be one class winner from the upper grades and one from the lower grades.
Thursday
Team Up Against Drugs.
Wear A Sports Team Shirt with Jeans or Work Out Gear
Friday
My Character Counts...I'm Drug Free
Dress as your favorite book character.
Monday, November 1st
Coco Day
Drugs and Bullies Make Us Un Poco Loco
(Celebrate Dia de Los Muertos & Hispanic Heritage Month)
Safety Patrol 21-22
Dia De Los Muertos Information
Dear Yellow Jackets,
We have created a small ofrenda (altar) for Dia de los Muertos in the front entrance foyer. We invite you to bring photos or other mementos that represent loved ones to the altar. Instead of original photos, we highly suggest making a copy of photos (we'd hate for anyone to lose original photos!). Let's remember our loved ones as a community for this upcoming Dia De Los Muertos.
Thanks!
Austin ISD Family Resources Guide 2021-22
Are you an AISD family, student, educator, or partner looking for resources for your student, family, or school? If so, this online resource guide is meant for you. Use this page to find and explore community and AISD resources: food, housing, legal, financial, transportation, after-school programs, community centers, and learning resources including ESL and GED services, computer literacy, cultural enrichment, and family literacy.
Compiled by the Parent Engagement Support Office. Please contact them at 512-414-0729 for additional information. AISD does not endorse the resources.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR RESOURCE GUIDE
More Resources!
Blue Santa Application Open
Blue Santa Website https://www.bluesanta.org/
Brown Santa Application Open
Brown Santa Website https://www.brownsanta.org/
Toys for Tots ApplicationAction/InformationToys for Tots Website
https://austin-tx.toysfortots.org/
Domestic Violence Awareness Workshop Flyers
English / Spanish
Siglinda Orozco siglinda.orozco@austinisd.org
Special Education Workshops
English / Spanish
Marisol Fray
512-841-4717
marisol.fray@austinisd.org
AustinISD Education Go Get It 2021
Alex Duran
amin.duran@austinisd.org
Conscious Discipline for Parents Training
Maria Rosas
(512) 841-9679
maria.rosas@austinisd.org
Flu Vaccines for AISD Students
Flyer
InformationFamily Resource Centers
Flu Travis Event
Spanish Flyer, English Flyer
(512) 414-6637
The Power of Diversifying
Flyer
Lady Jane Acquah
LadyJane.Acquah@integralcare.org
Hope Fest
Flyer
Austin Voices
Vela November Programming
Vela
512-850-8281
APH is Hiring Community Health Workers
Flyers in various languages
Sandra Valdespino
sandra.valdespino@austintexas.gov
Counseling Department & Support Staff
Ms. Cheylin Rush (Intern/Mentor)
Ms. Cierra Harris (Intern/Mentor)
Ms. Beatrice H. (Intern/Mentor)
Mr. Johnny Johnson (Intern/Mentor)
Ms. Destoni Taylor (Intern/Mentor)