The Counselor's Corner
December 17, 2021
HOLIDAY FAMILY COLLECTION
People who routinely practice gratitude by taking time to notice and reflect upon the things they're thankful for experience more positive emotions. By giving to others they will learn social connection and promote better positive cooperation. Both gratitude and giving promotes a better mental health.
If your family would like to donate in any way, please contact your students grade level counselor and/or team teachers. All teams in our building have began to collect gift cards, or actual gifts for about 6 of our families in need. Your students team teachers will be reaching out to ask for donations.
Some of the teams have specific families they are shopping for and they can share the list with you. Most teachers will have this in their weekly newsletter. Other teams are collecting gift cards so that families can shop for their children themselves. If you know of any families this holiday season that need support please let us know. We would like to bless our community as much as possible. Your family can also adopt a family in need.
Here are a list of gift cards we are accepting:
Walmart gift card
Target gift card
Schnucks gift card
Sams gift card
Old Navy gift card
Gas Cards/QT gift card
Marshalls gift card
Upcoming PreventEd Lessons
8th Grade will receive the TBD lesson:
Because their identities are still “To Be Determined” this four-lesson unit series helps teens shape a positive reputation and sense of self by building their integrity and encouraging leadership.
7th Grade will receive the Taking Charge of Me III:
The four-lesson unit helps students to explore the meaning if success. It motivates students to be successful and develops skills in perseverance, making healthy choices and leadership.
6th Grade will receive the Taking Charge of Me II:
This four -lesson unit helps students to learn how to "take charge of yourself" by developing skills in self-control, understanding what healthy choices are and how to make them, understanding and managing peer pressure, and promoting inclusion.
TIPS & TOOLS
Ways to Manage Stress
A typical middle school student has a lot of things going on inside (mental & physically) on any typical day or time. Considering we are not in a typical day and time, imagine what is happening to them on the inside. With the overwhelming information on social media, the news and online about so many stressful topics, the brain may have problems adapting. All of this stress can be anxiety producing for many adults and students. The unknown is hard for all of us.
Try these tips:
1. Reduce triggers and social media intake
2. Eat Healthy
3. Stay Active
Great Advice!
Want to raise the odds that your middle schooler will actually follow your advice? Get their input. Instead of saying, “setting your alarm 10 minutes earlier will keep you from rushing to get ready every morning.” try, “I've been running late in the mornings, too. What ideas do you think could help us?”
Concentration
Just a few minutes of physical activity can immediately improve your middle graders concentration. Remind them to use their study breaks to move around. They could write quick ideas on slips of paper (Dance to a song, Do 5 squats) and pick one to do between school work and chores.
Worth Quoting
“The mind that opens to a new idea never returns to its original size.”
Albert Einstein
Just For Fun
Q: What do you feed an alligator?
A:Anything it wants!
Peer Pressure : Trust your instincts!
If your student is breaking rules by doing something you feel strongly about and ground them for it, ask them their thinking behind the act.
When one parent confronted their student they said “BEcause everyone else did.” Then they admitted to feeling nervous and guilty about being with the people they broke the rule with.
Encourage you students to think of feelings like those as “alarms”--when an alarm goes off that's a sign to “wake up” and think for themselves.
Next, brainstorm some responses they can use with friends when pressured to do things that your family does not condone.
Your student will not be happy being grounded, but next time they are pressured to do something that sets off alarm bells, I hope they will make a better choice.
Screen Addiction
Q: I think my student is addicted to screens. They only want to play video games in their free time or be on their phong. They seem to not go a minute without checking the phone. What should I do?
A: While “screen addiction” isn't an official diagnosis, excessive screen use can be connected to anxiety and depression.
Ask yourself whether your students' usage is so all consuming that it's having a negative effect on him. Consult your child's pediatrician if you notice any of these red flags:
They can't control their screen use or lie about it.
They have lost interest in other activities
Their screen time interferes with sleep,school or relationships
Screens are the main source of happiness or comfort.
You can help your student cut back by setting limits for the whole family. That way, he’s not watching others play on their phones when they can't use their own. Finally, encourage your student to fill downtime with screen-free activities they enjoy, perhaps running or drawing.
Effects of anxiety on your mind?
Anxiety becomes a greater concern when it starts to impact our daily routines and habits. For students, that can be participating in outings with friends, participating in sports or extracurricular activities, turning in work on time, and talking and interacting with family.
Often anxiety can go unnoticed to others. Talk to your student and decide if you are seeing.
1. Severe Emotional Changes
2. Sleep Disturbance
3. Lowered School Performance
4. Not eating
5. Not wanting to go to school
If these things are recurring more and more, please call your school counselor for some suggestions and support on how to get a therapist.
Contact Your Grade Level Counselor
6th Grade Counselor
314-918-4553
7th Grade Counselor
314-918-4694
8th Grade Counselor
314-918-4555
Department Chair/Building Counselor
314-918-4555
Counselor Aide