Counselor's Newsletter
May 2021
Counselor's Note
Let's spend some time focusing on our mental health to help us wrap up the school year.
Mental health is our state of well-being that allows us to cope with whatever comes our way.
Risk Factors vs. Protective Factors
Warning Signs
Take a look at some warning signs to look out for in yourself and in your friends. Remember that our campus is full of staff who are here for you and your friends.
LOL
Here are some jokes to get us started:
1. What do you call an alligator in a vest?
An investigator
2. What animal needs to wear a wig?
A bald eagle
3. Why do bees have sticky hair?
Because they use honeycombs!
Art Contest
Take a look at our other Newsletters
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Counselor's Notes
April is Stress Awareness Month so we will dive into the topic because it is normal to experience stress at some point in our lives. Stress can impact how we feel, think and behave and we want you to be able to tell when you are stressed and what you can do to deal with it.
How Stress Can Impact Us
Common Stressors for Teens
Anything else you would add or remove?
Add some Humor to Your Life
Need Help Dealing with Stress?
Take a look at our other Newsletters
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Counselor's Note
While most of us want to return to school, let us really try to make the most of distance learning. Finding the balance between school and home takes time to achieve, but let's try!
Healthy Habits
2 Types of Activities
Short-Term: Activities that make us feel good right away
Playing video games
Being on our phones
Watching tv/movies
Eating comfort food
Long-term: Activities that help us feel better with time and help us to become better and better every time we do them
Completing assignments daily
Exercising
Eating and cooking healthy
Physical Activities that can become Healthy Habits
Physical Health- consistently making positive choices with and for our body can help us develop healthy habits.
Here are some things to consider:
Meal Choices- what do you put into your body?
Exercise- how often and how much effort?
Sleep- do you feel rested?
Healthy Social Connections
Here are some things to consider:
- Communication- how and what you say to each other?
- Expressing needs/thoughts/feelings in a positive way
- Boundaries- respecting each other's space/thoughts
Virtual School Activities
- Lunch Bunch: Every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday @ 12pm
- Garden Club: 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the Month @ 2pm
- Lunch Meet-Up: first Wednesday of the Month @ 12pm
Come Join Us!
Check Schoology for more info. or contact Ms. Rizo by sending a message on Schoology; drizo@nlmusd.org; Call/Text (562) 356-8191.
Balance School and Relaxing Time: Manage Your Time
School Time
Use Schoology Calendar / Make a weekly to-do list
Prioritize your work
Go to tutoring/Ask for help
Break large tasks into their smaller components
Focus on Effort not Perfection
Honestly assess the amount of time you waste
Relaxing Time
Give yourself a brain break during work time
Moderation- be realistic with your break time (not too long and not too short).
Try new activities (besides electronics)- See a list below.
Get Your Laugh In!
- Between us, something smells!
What kind of tree fits in your hand?
- A palm tree!
Why did the cookie go to the hospital?
- Because he felt crummy.
Take a look at our other Newsletters (see below)
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Counselor's Note
In addition, at Corvallis, we are focusing on College and Careers. It is never too early to start thinking about your future. Every decision you make can influence your tomorrow. So, let's get started.
What are your dreams for the future?
A nice car and house?
An exciting career?
Your own business?
What obstacles will you overcome and how will you make college happen?
A caring adult can help you…
Find the right fit (explore career/college options)
Push yourself (take tough classes and get involved)
Your possibilities are endless, so keep reading to discover some options.
Life After High School?
Let's keep moving on... when you were younger did you ever think: "When I grow up, I want to be a ____." Now that you are older you may still find the answer to this question is the same or it may have changed to something else or even an I don't know. Whatever your answer is, it is completely normal!
How about you check out some options that exist after you graduate from high school. Which one of these interests you? If you don't really know, that's ok. Check out the video Preparing After High School to get some ideas. Also, explore California CareerZone, Study.com and Jobs of the Future to find different pathways, degree options and careers. There’s a bunch of tools that will help you get closer to finding out what you would like to do in the future. You can reach out to your counselors to start brainstorming options and talk about what interests you.
Though there is no one way to explore your future academic and career options, you can first start by knowing what you can do in middle school. Click on the link below to see a checklist and learn what you will need to do in middle school that will prepare you in high school and after high school. Preparing starts now!
Vocational Programs and Career Opportunities
College Jokes
It already has a million degrees.
2. What's the easiest way to get straight As?
Use a ruler
Take a look at our previous Newsletters
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Counselor's Note
If you want help creating goals and/or achieving them, Counselors are here to support you so reach out to us.
Self-Efficacy with Positive Affirmations
Self-Efficacy: the belief that you can successfully meet your goals.
What are Positive Affirmations?
Positive Affirmations: positive phrases which you repeat to yourself which describe how you want to be.
Setting SMART Goals
SMART Goals are:
Specific: What do you want to achieve?
Measureable: How will you know you have reached it? Can you compare the change/improvement?
Attainable: Is it in your power to accomplish it?
Relevant: Is the goal something that we really want and can it lead to a healthier, happier, successful life?
Timely: When do you exactly want to accomplish it?
An example of a SMART Goal: I want to get a 2.0 GPA or better by end of Quarter 3 (March 12) and will do it by completing at least 8 out of 10 assignments and homework, studying for tests and getting Cs.
Watch the video below to learn more about SMART Goals and remember Counselors are available to support you with setting goals and reaching them.
Positive Affirmations can help accomplish goals
When we realize that we are stuck and not moving forward, reach out to someone like your parent, teacher or a counselor for support.
Check out this video to see that success is possible with hard work...
Let's get our Laughs
- See you next year!
Why are frogs always so happy?
- Because they eat whatever bugs them!
What's bigger than an elephant but doesn't weigh anything?
- The elephant's shadow
Check out previous newsletters below.
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Counselor's Note
Kindness in December
What is Kindness and Why it Matters
Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
Kindness is important because it:
Reduces stress
Increases sense of self-worth
Increases emotional resilience
Improves immunity system
A more optimistic and happier outlook on life
An increase in energy
A feeling of being healthy
Decreased feelings of loneliness, depression and helplessness
Checking in with someone
Sending a thoughtful message
Facetiming with someone
Posting an appreciation post
Donating to charity/philanthropy
Listening to others
Forgiving others
What kindness can look like at home...
Helping someone with chores
Praising someone for their accomplishments and effort
Cooking for or with someone
Watching a movie/show together
Self care/”Me Time”
Take a break/sleep
Exercise
Drink water
Express yourself
Ask for help
Be emotionally honest
Upcoming Dates:
WED. DEC. 9th:
Student of the Month Pick Up
Norwalk HS 8th Grade Student and Parent Orientation
12:00 pm and 6:00 pm
THURS. DEC. 10th:
Norwalk HS 8th Grade Student and Parent Orientation
8:00 am and 6:00 pm
THURS. DEC. 17: Minimum Day | End of Quarter 2 - Semester 1
FRI. DEC. 18: Teacher Non-Contract-Student Free Day
DEC. 21 - JAN. 1: Winter Break
MON. JAN. 4: Student-Free Day
Funnies
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COUNSELOR'S NOTE
WHAT IS GRATITUDE AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
There are many benefits of having an Attitude of Gratitude. Just take a look at the chart below.
Chart: Happierhuman.com
WHAT CAN GET IN THE WAY OF HAVING AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE?
Sometimes we might not be focused on reasons to be grateful. We might ignore or disregard all the positive in our lives. Here are some of the most common barriers to having an Attitude of Gratitude:
Negativity: looking at what is not going "right" or going good. Looking a a challenge as a negative instead of an opportunity for growth makes it difficult to be grateful.
Materialism: wanting things as a way to make us feel happy. Be careful because new things bring temporary happiness. They eventually get old and often it loses it specialness.
Comparing Yourself: instead of appreciating difference, we may compare ourselves and be envious of others. We can begin to feel less than, which make it harder to be grateful.
“If you haven’t all the things you want, be grateful for the things you don’t have that you wouldn’t want.”
— Unknown
WAYS TO PRACTICE AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
Notice the Good Things in Your Life
Gratitude Journal
Find gratitude in your challenges
GRATITUDE ATTITUDE ACTIVITY
I’m grateful for two things I hear:
I’m grateful for two things I see:
I’m grateful for two things I smell:
I’m grateful for two things I touch/feel:
I’m grateful for these two things I taste:
I’m grateful for these two friends:
I’m grateful for these two teachers:
I’m grateful for these two family members:
I’m grateful for these two things in my home:
LOL
Biff: Why did the turkey cross the road?
Bob: I don’t know.
Biff: It was Thanksgiving Day, and he wanted people to think he was a chicken!
Joke by Rachy Y., Waianae, Hawaii
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Counselor's Note
When we each do our part, we ensure that our campus to be closer, connected and inclusive. The decisions that each of us make impact our campus, so let's spend some time thinking of our choices.
Also, remember to continue to practice developing and strengthening your Growth Mindset and practicing healthy coping strategies. Feel free to revisit these themes below.
Appreciate Diversity
When you are in your zoom classrooms, have you noticed the wide range of differences in opinions, thoughts, feelings and appearance? These differences is what we refer to as diversity. Having differences is okay. What’s not okay is treating others in a negative or mean way simply because you think they are different.
Although our time together is virtual, eventually we will return back to campus. When we return to campus, we want to create positive memories like the ones below.
Happy Campus Memories
What is Bullying?
Types of Bullying:
-Physical involves hurting a person’s body or possessions.
-Verbal is saying or writing mean things.
-Social/relational involves hurting someone’s reputation or relationships.
-Cyber is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets.
For more information, go to StopBullying.gov
Dealing with Bullying
Thank you for helping us make sure we have a safe campus for everyone.
Let's Connect
We have a Garden Club and have already planted tomatoes (check out the picture below). We are moving on to plant jalapeno seeds. So if you are interested, please contact Ms. Rizo.
Jokes for Fun
A Spelling Bee
What did the paper say to the pencil?
Write On!
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Counselor's Note
Stay connected and participate in the events happening this month. Check out our Counselor's Corner Schoology for more info.
Building Resilience with Healthy Coping
Resilience is being able to cope with difficult moments in a healthy way.
Click on the link below to learn more about resilience and bouncing back from difficult times by practicing healthy coping.
Got Feelings?
Become aware of what you are feelings by paying attention to your body and thoughts.
Learn what makes you feel this way. Take a look at what might be making you feel this way. Is it one or more of the following?:
- Thoughts
- Images
- Moods
- Situations
- Behaviors
Remember, you can always reach out to one of your counselors or a trusted adult if you want to talk.
Benefits of Healthy Coping!
When we face a challenge by using a healthy coping strategy, we are gaining the following:
- Ability to deal with stress
- Adapt to changes
- Self-confidence
- Brighter outlook on life
- Increase of positive/ growth mindset
- Lower levels of stress, anxiety and depression
Practice Healthy Coping
Take a look at the healthy coping strategies. Which ones do you already use? Which ones would you like to try?
Coping with Setbacks
Check out the video below to see how some famous people have dealt with difficult experiences.
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Distance Learning Humor
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Reach Out!
Visit our Counselor's Corner Course on Schoology for our contact information, office hours, lunch bunch and more. If you are not in the course, please let us know so we can add you.
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Stay tuned or take a look at our August Newsletters! (See below)
Make sure you are following us on Instagram @Corvallis.school
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August 2020
Welcome 2020-2021!
This month we are starting the year focusing on Growth Mindset.
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Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset
Fixed Mindset is believing that you are born with a certain amount of intelligence and success is based on your current abilities.
Counselors' Office Hours
Ms. Rizo, Wellness Specialist
Mrs. Robinson, School Counselor
Mrs. Vesper, Counselor
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Lunch Bunch
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Virtual Garden Club
Join us for some fun in planting seeds and watching our seedlings grow. Hands on activities to do at home! Contact Ms. Rizo for more information.
Coffee with the Counselors
Parents/Guardians were invited to join us for virtual coffee. In case your parent/guardian missed it, here is what we went over. Feel free to reach out to us for more information and stay tuned for the next Coffee with the Counselors. We would like to meet your parents/guardians!
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We miss you and we hope that you are well and safe. There's a lot going on with developing news with COVID-19, adapting to online learning and coping with having to stay home. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, stressed and bored about all these changes. We want you to know that your counselors are here to support you!
Just for Fun
Let's take a moment to laugh or chuckle!
Joe: What’s the king of all school supplies?
Moe: I don’t know. What?
Joe: The ruler.
Submitted by Connor B., Metairie, La.
Teacher: Donald, what is the chemical formula for water?
Donald: H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O.
Teacher: What are you talking about?
Donald: Yesterday you said it was H to O.
Submitted by Caleb R., Jackson, Mich.
Peter: What’s the difference between a teacher and a train?
Ted: What?
Peter: A teacher says, “Spit out that gum!” and a train says, “Chew! Chew!”
Submitted by Ted S., Lisle, Ill.
Click here for more jokes.
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We Count Los Angeles
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Stay tuned or take a look at our previous Newsletters! (See below)
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Corvallis Counselors
Ms. Rizo, Wellness Specialist
Mrs. Robinson, School Counselor
Mrs. Vesper, Intervention Counselor
How to Contact Your Counselor
Counselors are available even if we are not on campus.
You can: Email, Text, Phone and or use Schoology
If we miss your call, please leave your name, a short message and the best number to call you back.
Zoom available with appointment by request
We hope to hear how you have been up to!
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Jokes for Fun
- What do computers eat for a snack?
- Why can’t you trust an atom?
- Why couldn’t Cinderella play soccer?
- What do you call bears with no ears?
Answers down below...
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Check out these Coping Resources
Wellness Apps
Tips for Traumatic Events and Disasters
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Take a Break to Explore
- Anne Frank House – Take a 360-degree tour of Anne Frank’s home in Amsterdam.
- Buckingham Palace – Tour the famous London palace virtually.
- Farm Tours – Learn about agriculture through these virtual tours of farms in Canada.
- Great Wall of China – This panoramic virtual tour allows you to walk the Great Wall.
- Holy Land Tour – Virtually visit Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and more.
- Houston Zoo – Watch animals in several of their exhibits via live webcam.
- International Space Station – Take a video tour of the space station.
- The Louvre Museum – Explore exhibits at this famous art museum in Paris, France.
- Mars – Explore the surface of Mars in a 360-degree view while learning about the planet and space exploration.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium – Watch sea creatures in this California aquarium with the live animal cam.
- What do computers eat for a snack? Microchips!
- Why can’t you trust an atom? Because they make up everything.
- Why couldn’t Cinderella play soccer? She kept running away from the ball.
- What do you call bears with no ears? B
Stay Safe and Strong Corvallis!