Guidance & Counseling Department
Colby Glass Elementary School August/September 2023
Hello everyone!
My name is Ms. Naomi Orozco, the new co-counselor at Colby Glass Elementary! I am very excited to start working with your children! I wanted to take some time to do a short introduction by sharing some facts:
- I am from a city called Edinburg, TX and I recently moved to San Antonio!
- My first language was Spanish.
- I graduated with my Masters in Education in Counseling from the University of St. Thomas in Houston.
- I have 4 siblings and they are my best friends.
- With my family I love to eat, watch movies at the theatre, and text them on our family group chat.
- I enjoy reading and spending time in nature on my spare time.
I look forward to serving your child, you, and the San Antonio community. Please reach out if I can be of any help!
Welcome Back Lil' Huskies!
We are so excited to be back for another great year! Ms. Orozco and I hope that you all had a fun summer and glad to see so many familiar and new faces. We would like to share some of the programs that our Counseling Department offer to students. Each year individual and small group counseling are available to all students, as well as classroom guidance. These services promote personal, emotional and social growth, which, in turn, raise academic standards.
This year we will start off with our "Howdy Lesson" then continue to talk about "Kelso's Choices". This is tool used to teach conflict management skills. This conflict resolution curriculum teaches children the difference between big problems and small problems. Kelso the frog is a fun and engaging way for children to learn conflict management.
We look forward to an exciting year working with students, teachers and parents. We hope that you will feel free to call if we may be of assistance to you and your child. Thank you.
Mrs. Chapman & Ms. Orozco
UPS Community Support!
We would like to send a huge "Thank You!" to Jason and his team at UPS for continuously to support Glass staff and students. He and his team conducts a Back to School Drive of school supplies every year and delivery them to our campus. Donations include folders, pencils, pencil boxes, back packs and items for teachers. We appreciate them in making sure our students are ready for another great school year.
Group picture
A group picture of Jason and his team along with Glass Counselors and CIS.
UPS
UPS unloading boxes of donations!
UPS
UPS delivering donations to Glass Elementary.
Tears & Cheers Parent Event
PTA, CIS and School Counselors teamed up to host the Tears & Cheers event this year. Parents wrote encouraging notes to their child, while enjoying coffee and cookies. Counselors later delivered and surprised those students with the note. Parents were also able to receive other resources to help with transitioning back to school. Thank you parents for coming out and supporting this event!
Counselor Chapman & Counselor Orozco
Parents writing notes
Many parents showed up!
Cookies & Coffee provided by PTA
Parents writing notes
Thank you parents for supporting
Helping students transition back to school
We know that transition can be hard for some children. Here are some helpful strategies and ideas for transitioning.
1. Routine-Get your child’s school things ready the night before and go over the morning routine with them. Try to keep it the same as much as possible and make sure to get up early enough so you aren’t rushed. The less stress at home, the better chance for a happier drop off.
2. Good-bye Ritual Try coming up with a short and sweet goodbye ritual for you and your child to do each morning. Let him help come up with it but don’t let him change it the morning of. One more hug may not seem like a big deal but it can quickly turn into a power struggle. Also, sneaking away without saying goodbye may further increase her anxiety over you leaving her.
3. Stay Positive If your child sees you looking upset or anxious it will only amplify their own feelings of fear. Even if you are sad, be positive and smile. This helps reassure them that school is not a scary place and they have no reason to be worried.
4. Sunny Thoughts Practice saying positive affirmations to your child such as, Even though I have to leave you I will see you again this afternoon!
5. Role-Play For some children it can help to actually practice what you will do in the morning beforehand. Get in and out of the car, walk them up to the house, and do your goodbye ritual. If you are able to it might even be good to practice it at the school so they are familiar with the environment.
6. Make a Change For some children, it may be easier for them to say goodbye to you at home (riding the bus) or in the car rider line. Consider changing the way you take your child to school.
7. Get Some Help! Talk to your child’s teacher or school counselor for additional support at school.
8. • Whatever you do....DON’T TAKE THEM HOME!!!! Unless they are truly ill (fever or vomiting), taking them home will only make it worse. This teaches your child that school is a scary place and it reinforces their negative behavior. Tell them first thing in the morning that you will be leaving for school at 7:00, they can cry if they want to and you will be there to pick them up at 3 pm. Then don’t talk about it any more!
HELPFUL BOOKS TO READ TOGETHER
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
Llama, Llama, Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney
Be Brave Little One by Marianne Richmond
Worry Says What? by Allison Edwards
Little Tree by Loren Long
I Love You All Day Long by Francesca Rusackas
Mommy In My Pocket by Carol Hunt Senderak
Where Oliver Fits by Cale Atkinson
Mama, Don't Go! by Rosemary Wells
Oh My Baby, Little One by Kathi Appelt
Relaxation Time...
Calming visuals offers another avenue for reducing stress. When we are looking at waterfalls around the world or fish swimming through the ocean, we are giving our brains a much needed "mental vacation." Whether it is for pure enjoyment or to relieve anxiety, YouTube has proven itself as a great hub. Visuals serve as a distraction while also making you feel at ease at the same time. Browse through the following blissful videos and visualize your how you can deal with challenges calmly and with confidence.
Dates To Remember!
Monday, September 4-Labor Day (No School)
September 11-15 Arts In Education Week
FAMILY RESOURCES
THE CENTER FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES
Mental health and wellness support for children and adults.
210-261-1000
WONDERS & WORRIES
Counseling and support to help children and families cope with a parent's/guardian's serious
illness. 210-307-4853
Mega Food Bank Distribution
The next Mega Food Bank distribution is on Friday, September 1 at Gus Stadium.
Registration fills fast.
The registration link is open: https://freshtrak.com/register/event/166056
Registration fills very fast!
Families are encouraged to arrive by 9:30 AM as gates are closed at 10 AM to the complex.
Threads
Northside Threads is a clothing closet that is housed at the Northside Family Engagement Center which is a State and Federal Program. It exists to support Northside families and provide clothing to students enrolled in Northside schools. Currently they are only taking appointments. Please email or call either counselor and we can make you a referral. You will then be able to make an appointment.
School Counselors & CIS
Serena Chapman, Professional School Counselor (ALE, PreK, 1st, 2nd & 5th Grade)
ext 71975
Naomi Orozco, Professional School Counselor (ALE, PreK, Kinder, 3rd & 4th Grade)
ext 71976
Pauline Allen, Communities In Schools (CIS)
ext 3115
Colby Glass Elementary School
519 Clearview
San Antonio, TX 78228
210-397-1950