Mrs. Gittemeier's Counseling Corner
February Edition :)
How 'bout those KANSAS CITY CHIEFS!?
It's been a wild ride this month with AMI days and this Chiefs playoff run! I am keeping our fingers crossed for a full month of in person learning and (hopefully) a good outcome in the Super Bowl! February is one of my favorite units, as we will be focusing on confidence and self-esteem across all grade levels! . 5th grade students will also participate in our District’s Acknowledge-Care-Tell lesson (click here for more information on that!). I would argue that self-esteem is one of the most important skills we can help children develop as it impacts all realms of their lives. Dorothy Briggs’ in Your Child’s Self Esteem shares that “self-esteem is the mainspring that slates every child for success or failure as a human being.” Self-esteem affects how kids learn, how they interact, how they problem solve, and how they handle adversity—just to name a few. Kids with positive self-esteem feel confident and capable. They value themselves and their abilities. One of my passions is helping students recognize how bright they can shine, so I am really looking forward to a special month.
With love and gratitude,
Cari Gittemeier
February Lesson Topics
Kindergarten
Kindergarten will independently identify two things that make him/her special.
1st Grade
1st grade can describe what makes them special and why.
2nd Grade
2nd grade can verbalize what self-esteem means through the MAGIC of self-esteem themed lesson!
3rd Grade
3rd grade can identify and describe a character trait that applies to them and connect it to self-esteem.
4th Grade
4th grade can differentiate between positive and negative self-talk.
5th Grade
5th grade create virtual vision boards depicting who they are, their goals, and their dreams.
Confidence and Self-Esteem Books
I’m Gonna Like Me – Jamie Lee Curtis
I Like Myself – Karen Beaumont
You Are Special – Max Lucado
Believing in Me: A Child's Guide to Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem – Poppy O’Neill
I Am Enough – Grace Byers
The Girl Who Makes a Million Mistakes - Brenda Li
Big - Vashti Harrison
At Home Discussion, Practice, & Helpful Links
When your child verbalizes negative thoughts, work with them on thought reframing—turning these negative thoughts into more useful ones. Learn more about this here!
What makes you special?
Let’s make a list of 5-10 things you are really good at. Which of these make you most proud and why?
Take the “How’s Your Self-Esteem” quiz! Discuss with your child after!
Learn About It!
9 Ways to Build More Self-Esteem in Your Child
Causes of Low Self-Esteem in Kids
3 Tips to Build Your Confidence – TedEd
How to Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem
Practice It!
Have your child respond to 1-2 Self-Esteem Task Cards each night to promote heathy self-esteem!
Middle School Transition Support
We received a lot of positive feedback after adding some additional supports related to the transition to middle school. I am ecstatic to share that I will be partnering with Deputy Hannah Blacklock(School Resource Officer – Graden & Lakeview) again to ensure that our fifth grade Hornets are confident and ready to take on middle school! :)
Some things on the Horizon.................
Middle School Preparation Small Group – 1x a week for 30-minute sessions (February!)
Lunch Bunches w/Deputy Heckman – Weekly lunches to answer questions and address worries that your child may have about middle school. (Post Spring Break!)
Middle School Preparation Class Lesson - Each 5th grade class will participate in a lesson with Deputy Blacklock about the transition to middle school, discussing topics like social media safety, peer pressure, and how to be successful at Lakeview! (April!)
Assembly w/Principal Clemons - Students will have a Q&A with the principal herself! (May!)
Rainy
Examples - You and your friend aren't getting along, you're nervous for your first dance competition, you need help getting better grades, someone is bugging you, etc.
Stormy
Examples - You're feeling very worried about something, you've been feeling sad for a long time, you think you're in big trouble for something, you're parents are fighting, someone is being mean to you often, etc.
Tornado
Examples - Someone is hurting your body, someone is in danger or you feel unsafe, someone you loved very much died, you are having thoughts about wanting to hurt yourself, etc.
Small Group & Individual Counseling
Small Group and Individual Counseling services are available for students to support their social, emotional, behavioral, and academic development here at Graden.
Small group and individual counseling are arranged upon teacher, administration, student and/or parent referral. Data from our evidence-based screeeners and Panorama surveys help guide small group and individualized ntervention. School counseling is not intended to take the place of therapy, or outside counseling. It is short term, 4-8 weeks, and uses a solution-focused strategy.
Goals are developed in collaboration with parents, students, and teachers to support student's resilience.
Individual and small group counseling is led by Mrs. Gittemeier - School Counselor (small group & individual), Mrs. Dawson - School Social Worker, (small group & individual), Mrs. Witherby - Recovery Room Interventionist (small group), and Deputy Blacklock - School Resource Officer (informal, middle school preparation).
Also, if a student, needs to check in with me to discuss a problem or feeling they are experiencing, I am available for that as well. Students can request to see me by asking their teacher or using the online/paper referral process outlined above and taught to them during introduction counseling lessons. If you are concerned that you're student needs individual and small group support, please let me know. Feel free to reach out to me via phone or email; information is below.
Virtual Relaxation Room
In addition, Graden is continuing to implement physical calming corners in every classroom this year to help promote a safe, comfortable environment. Calming corners are a place in a classroom/room that provides students with soothing “tools” to help them regulate their emotions when upset. Students received a brief review on expectations of the calming corner from their classroom teachers at the start of the school year.
When we are upset, something significant happens in our brains. We cannot think clearly, and are quick to react. The myth that calming corners are a place for students to play with toys, and get out of a bad choice they have made, is simply not the purpose of calming corners. The purpose of calming corners are for students to get out of the fight, flight ( run away), or freeze part of their brain and engage the thinking part. Once the thinking part of their brain is in control, we can process with students and teach them why their behavior was not the expectation. Calming corners are not meant to be punitive, but a place to soothe. It is a proactive support to prevent a negative/unexpected behavior from happening.
If your student struggles with managing their emotions at home, creating a calming corner with them in your home could be beneficial. To learn more about creating a calming corner at home, read this article: "Setting up a Calming Corner at Home."
Parent Referral Form
Is your student struggling in the social, emotional, or behavioral realm(s)? Interested in inquiring about getting them counseling support? Scan the code above!
Amazon Wishlist
Interested in donating to our Graden Counseling classroom? If circumstances allow, consider purchasing something from the below wishlist to support social/emotional learning through books, regulation and sensory tools, as well as student organization items.
Confidential Resource Checklist
The Confidential Resource Checklist provides a myriad of resources we have available for our families in the Park Hill School District. If you believe you could benefit from any of these services, please complete the form and myself or the school social worker will be in touch with you to gather more information.
Cari Gittemeier
Email: gittemeierc@parkhill.k12.mo.us
Phone: 816-359-5647