Mrs. Foley's Counselor Corner
November, 2021
Dear Suamico Elementary Parents/Guardians,
Brrr... it's getting cold out there. I hope you're finding ways to stay warm!
One thing that is currently in the works at Suamico Elementary is our revamped Buddy Bench. A few years ago a small group of students helped paint the Buddy Bench, but the Wisconsin weather has been rough on it so we got to work this year! We got out our sanding blocks and chisels and gave it a face lift. Two students in 4th grade helped to repaint it and now we have it back where it belongs, out on the playground. Below is the video explaining how to use the Buddy Bench, staring several Suamico Panther students. Enjoy!
Have a wonderful holiday filled with gratitude and thankfulness!
(Please feel free to check back for updates as I'll be updating this newsletter for the whole month of November.)
Life Skills Lessons
We have also started learning about the different parts of the brain. (The picture to the right shows a Kindergarten student feeling a "brain" aka. pumpkin guts.) Students are all being taught how our brains are similar to traffic lights in that when we are in the green Frontal Lobe part of our brain we are focused, ready to learn, calm and peaceful. When we are in the yellow Limbic System part of our brain we need to slow down, take caution because the feelings we are experiencing may need regulation/calming in order to focus/learn. When we are in the red Brain Stem part of our brain we need to stop, use a calming strategy, because we don't want to "flip our lids" and make bad choices. Students in the red Brain Stem (or downstairs part of our brain) might perceive themselves as being in danger and thus may opt for the fight, flight, or freeze response. As we go forward this month we will be talking about Emotion Regulation and HOW to get ourselves back to the green Frontal Lobe (logic and reasoning) part of our brain. We will practice this and find the unique strategies that work for each of us as individuals. Students really enjoy learning about the brain. Click the links below for video's your child would have seen in Life Skills class:
Kindergarten - "Brain, Brain, Brain"
1st & 2nd grade - "The Learning Ready Brain"
3rd & 4th grade - "Why we Lose Control of our Emotions"
Next we will be talking about the ZONES OF REGULATION (Managing emotions). See image below for what this entails.
Second Step Curriculum
I get to visit every class, K-4 to teach Life Skills class throughout the school year on an "A week", "B week" rotation. Thus, your child(ren) will have Life Skills class twice/month. This year I am very excited to have an evidence and research-based curriculum called "Second Step" that I will be using to guide our conversations. The 4 units cover the topics of Skills for Learning, Empathy, Emotion Management, and Problems Solving. See below for more grade level information on Scope/Sequence of this Social/Emotional curriculum.
Click Here to learn more about the "American School Counselor Association - Mindset and Behavior Standards" HSSD School Counselors address each school year.
Parent/Family Resources
When we teach mindfulness to kids, we equip them with tools to build self-esteem, manage stress, and skillfully approach challenges. Explore this guide on how to introduce mindfulness and meditation to your children—at any age. Mindfulness for Kids article/activities
See video below for parents/guardians to learn more about Empathy. (This video is not shown to the students, just a good/short video.)
Video Read Aloud's with Mrs. Foley
The Howard-Suamico School District has chosen to implement a Social/Emotional Curriculum in all grades K-8 called the Leader In Me. During the 2020-21 school year I recorded read alouds from the book, "The 7 Habits of Happy Kids" for our students and families to learn about the 7 Habits while we were virtual. I'll keep these video read alouds here for future reference. Enjoy ;)
Habit 1 - Be ProactiveHabit 2 - Begin with the End in Mind
Habit 3 - Put First Things First
Feelings Exploration Room with Mrs. Foley
Please view this Feelings Exploration Room with your child(ren) as it offers TONS of books and fun activities related to feelings from the movie "Inside Out".
HSSD - Virtual Calming Room
Student Check-in with the School Counselor
School Social Work Newsletter
Alexis Foley - School Counselor
Email: alexfole@hssdschools.org
Website: https://suamico.hssdschools.org/
Location: 2153 School Lane, Suamico, WI, USA
Phone: 9206629814
Twitter: @MrsFoley16