OHT Counselors' Corner
Oak Hills Terrace ES Counseling Department Newsletter
January, 2021
Helping the Mind Grow During the New Year
The new year is a fantastic time to build on successes. Yet, It is possible to fail and persevere in the face of failures. Are you inspired by failing and trying again? Are you inspired by others' success?
Choosing to do productive things is a helpful way to grow:
1. Write thank-you notes for holiday gifts.
2. Take down decorations.
3. Edit (and monitor) your social media presence.
4. Clean out closets, and organize the garage/basement/attic.
5. Consider donating items to a food bank or clothing/furniture items to a shelter.
6. Update your family's health records (include your pet's information, as well).
7. Create a list of goals. If you fail, keep trying.
8. Establish a fitness plan.
9. Create a budget to spend and save appropriately.
10. Make plans to spend time with your family/friends as part of your social and emotional wellness.
Hobbies
Perhaps one or more of these activities will do the trick:
1. Painting
2. Drawing
3. Puzzles
4. Hiking
5. Reading
6. Cooking/baking
7. Swimming
8. Dancing
9. Sewing/knitting/crocheting
10. Exercising/Meditating/Yoga/Sports
11. Writing/Journaling
12. Music
13. Gardening
14. Traveling
15. Community Service
Social-Emotional Learning
Self-management looks a lot like managing one's own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors A parent or an educator might see:
.
- Impulse control
- Stress management
- Self-discipline
- Self-motivation
- Goal-setting
- Organizational skills
Self-management may sound like:
- I need a break right now.
- May I please have space? I am not ready to share.
- I think I need help with _______.
- I don't understand yet, but I will ________ to reach my goal.
No Name-Calling Week
Northside Threads
If you would like to donate items, please drop off your clothing at the district office on Evers Rd., at Student Services on Grissom Rd., the Athletic Center at the Ferris Complex on Hwy 1604, or at NAC on Culebra Rd.
Food Distribution
https://safoodbank.org/cvresponse/getfood/
Many families in our community have suffered the loss of employment and are struggling to meet the financial hardships that the pandemic has created. Each distribution supports between 1300 to 1800 families with food during the pandemic. Northside ISD hosts the distributions on alternating Fridays at the stadium located on Loop 410 at Culebra Rd. If you are interested in volunteering, please report to the parking lot at 7001 Culebra Rd between 7:30-8:00 AM. The shift generally ends by 10:30 AM.
Oak Hills Terrace also distributes a daily meal between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM at the bus loop for anyone up to age 18. Please be ready to show proof of age (or school enrollment).
Communities in Schools
Happy New Year! While exciting times are on the horizon, COVID-19 has hit families and communities in more ways than just a medical crisis. Many families have been struggling with critical issues such as lack of childcare, job loss and reduced hours, less access to free school meals, and housing insecurity. While these social crises are not new concepts, the pandemic has increased the need for assistance.
Communities in Schools not only supports students in school but beyond the walls as well. CIS assists in identifying and accessing outside resources to meet families' needs.
As always, reach out to your CIS Site Coordinator, Alyssa Rivera, for assistance with basic need support such as food, housing, or employment.
210-397-0567
COVID Concerns
Prevention tips:
- Avoid close contact with sick individuals (the virus spreads via respiratory droplets)
- Wear a mask that covers the mouth and nose when in contact with other individuals
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water
- Try not to touch the eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
- Maintain at least 6 feet distance between you and the next person
- Practice good respiratory hygiene
As you know, every student's temperature is checked upon arrival at school each day to ensure that no child has a fever. Parents, thank you for monitoring your children's other symptoms which may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus:
Symptoms:
- cough
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- chills
- muscle pain
- sore throat
- new loss of taste or smell
- nausea/vomiting
- diarrhea
- fatigue
- headache
- congestion or runny nose
Vaccine information contnues to be made available during January. Please check local media for eligibility and availablity. If you are interested in being tested, you may access curative.com to schedule a free test at various locations throughout the city. Results are usually available within 48 hours.
Attendance Matters
Please remember to submit a note detailing the reason, date, name/grade for each student who is absent. If you have attendance questions, contact the child's teacher or the attendance secretary, Mrs. A. Gonzalez, at 210.397.0558.
Group Formation
- social skills
- friendship skills
- self confidence
- divorce
- anger
- family changes
- anxiety/worry
- growth mindset
Groups typically have from 3-4 students and meet for 30 minutes each week for 6-8 weeks.
Please call your counselor by January 15 to reserve a spot:
Ms. Castillo, grades K, 2, and 4 @ 210.397.0576
Mr. Koog, grades 1, 3, and 5 @ 210.397.0575
Transition: 5th to 6th
MAGNETS
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NEFF MS
The Neff MS principal and counselors met with the 5th graders to discuss Neff life and the enrollment process for 6th grade. Students worked on (and will continue to work on) course planning guides. These guides helps students choose 6th grade courses:
Regular or PreAP Language Arts
Regular or PreAP Math
Science
World Cultures (Social Studies)
PE or Dance (as a PE class)
Advisory/Healthy Habits
Elective (students may choose one of the following):
- Band
- Orchestra
- Mariachi
- Choir (treble girls or tenor/bass boys)
- Theatre
- Art
- Dance (as an elective)
- AVID
GT (Alpha) students will also rank their course preference for GT servicing (Language Arts, Science, or World Cultures).
Even though almost all students will have completed their planning guides during the first week of January, parents may ask that a course be changed up to Friday, January 15 (call Mr. Koog @ 210.397.0575). Courses will then be entered into the computer for middle school assignments.
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NEFF CAMP
Oak Hills Terrace students will attend a virtual Neff camp on Wednesday, January 20, from 9:00-11:00 AM.
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CHAT with the NEFF PRINCIPAL
Mrs. Correa, Neff principal, meets with the parents of current 5th grade parents to discuss transition to middle school each year. She can be available towards the end of the month to meet virtually, morning or evening, to discuss the process with this year's parents. Please complete our quick poll below (by January 13) to indicate your time preference. We will announce the meeting time and day in Class Dojo.
Our Owls Are OWLsome!
12 Days of Christmas: Dressing Up
12 Days of Christmas: Refreshments
12 Days of Christmas: Gifts
12 Days of Christmas: TIme for a Break
12 Days of Christmas: Ugly Sweaters
SA Food Bank
Angel Owls
Carson Food Drive
Pillar
Support our Partners!
Blood and Platelet Donations
The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center (STBTC) is taking all possible precautions to keep donors safe, not only in the donor rooms but also at blood drives. Information from the CDC and San Antonio Metro Health is available on STBTC's website about how to stay healthy and avoid picking up or spreading germs. Fortunately, respiratory diseases such as coronavirus are not known to be transmitted through blood donation or transfusion.
Please call the center to inquire about January blood drives or making an appointment to donate in person:
6211 I-10 W, San Antonio @ 210.731.5555
Changes to Our Nest
Laura Anzaldua
Ms. Anzaldua thanks the OHT community for making her part of the Owl family. She especially appreciates the care her children received while in attendance.
We'll miss you!
Narges Izad
Our nurse was born and spent much of her life in her native Iran (speaking Farsi), but she also worked as a German translator. Since she speaks English, that makes her trilingual...and counting...
In addition to translating, she has been a bookkeeper. In her spare time she loves to work with all kinds of notions and fabrics (sewing, knitting, crocheting) and other arts and crafts.
Oak Hills Terrace welcomes you to our nest!
Guidance Books/Videos
These media may be helpful as your speak to your child concerning relevant January topics such as multi-cultural, being kind, and no name-calling.
Bubble Gum Brain
Each Kindness
Giraffes Can't Dance
I am Human
Me First
Apple Dumpling Adventure
Mrs. Katz and Tush
Tease Monster
Today Was a Terrible Day
Being Kind to Naomi
Two
We're All Wonders
Contact Us
Please click on the form below to request to speak to a counselor.
Feel free to email or call us with a student concern. You may also take advantage of a variety of parent links by accessing this site:
https://sites.google.com/a/nisd.net/oskhillsterrace-koogt/parent-links
Ms. Castillo
Alyssa Rivera
Mr. Koog
Department Stats
56 Guidance lessons
26 Responsive services (1-on-1)
24 Group sessions
176 Parent consultations
3 Campus outreach events
5 Parent events
49 Staff consultations
1 Tier 3 (RTI) meeting