Counseling Newsletter
UTVA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
AUGUST: WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!
EMILY McMULLIN: SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Hello! My name is Emily McMullin. I am the elementary school counselor at UTVA! I graduated from BYU with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in 2005, and I completed my Master’s of Science degree in School Counseling in 2008.
I love my family! I have five awesome kids and I love adventuring and hiking on cool mountain trails with my husband, Evan. I also love strawberry lemonade, ice cream, skiing and making apple pie. And I have two awesome dogs - Moose and Ruby.
This is my 2nd year working with UTVA and I love it so much! I love helping students overcome obstacles and reach their potential.
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WHAT DO SCHOOL COUNSELORS DO?
These are a few things I do at UTVA:
Teach Social Emotional Learning and Guidance Lessons in Classrooms
Teach a Life Skills and Resilience Group - we discuss self esteem, overcoming stress and anxiety, friendships, problem-solving, how to have a positive outlook, how to handle bullying
Run the Social Club - where students get to connect and hangout with other students.
Meet with Students Individually for Counseling to Overcome Obstacles to Learning
Manage the Calm Corner and Help Students Find Coping Skills that Work for Them
Give Support and Encouragement
Listen to concerns from students, parents and teachers
Connect families to Community Resources
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WHEN WILL SEL LESSONS START?
Lessons will start in September! To learn more, visit our SEL page for more information on our monthly topics.
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THE CALM CORNER
Students will learn about coping skill strategies and interventions they can use during stressful moments to help manage their emotions during school. These can help with emotions such as: stress, anger, anxiety, frustration, boredom, and misbehavior. Visit the Calm Corner Here.
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REFERRING YOUR STUDENT
While Social Emotional Learning (SEL) guidance lessons are available to all students, individual counseling and resilience group counseling are implemented with students based on parent and teacher referrals.
If you would like to refer a student, set up an appointment with me or sign up your student for our life skills and resilience group, please follow these links to fill out the form. Thank you!
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MEDIA SAFETY AT HOME
According to Connectsafely.org, some of the things children (of any age) can do to stay safe online are as follows:
1. Be your own person. Never pretend to be someone that you are not. Be who you really are and you will attract the people who will become your real friends.
2. Be nice. Don’t say mean things just because you can hide behind a screen. Your words hurt the same as if you would say them to the person’s face.
3. Think about what you post. Remember that once it is out there it is out there for everyone!
4. Do not add people you don’t know on social media accounts. Having friends and followers is fun but can be dangerous when they are strangers.
5. Never send inappropriate pictures or engage in inappropriate conversations with peers or strangers. Never. Never. Never.
ALSO – NEVER GIVE OUT YOUR ADDRESS ON SOCIAL MEDIA! Don’t ever tell anyone you don’t know what city you live in or what school you go to. Don’t post photos that show your school or give any information about where you live. Try to be as vague as possible about where you live.
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RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT YOUR STUDENT?
Parent Guidance offers FREE education and therapeutic support to empower and give you hope as you support your child’s mental health.
HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE CRISIS TEXT LINE?
IN A CRISIS?? Please reach out if you or your student need urgent help.
Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor
Free 24/7 support at your fingertips.
The Crisis Text Line provides free, confidential, 24/7, high-quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention by empowering a community of trained volunteers to support people in their moments of need.
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K-5 School Counselor
Calendar & Referrals
Visit the Calm Corner
Take a little break and fill your emotional bucket with something good. CLICK HERE.