Counselor's Corner
Jennifer Vandenbrook, M.Ed., LPC, NCC
May and June News + Summer Tips!
PFE's Watch D.O.G.S.
Who are Watch D.O.G.S.? Fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers, uncles, and other father figures who volunteer to serve at least one day a year in a variety of school activities as assigned by the school counselor and parent involvement coordinator.
Thank you to Nicole Lino for helping to coordinate this special program with me this year!
2015 - 2016 Watch D.O.G.S. Video
Humble ISD Education Foundation Grants Awarded!
Crayons to College: TWO!
On May 13, 2016, our school was awarded three grants from the Humble ISD Education Foundation totaling $10,043!! One of the grants was awarded to our counseling program and the counseling programs of five other elementary schools that feed into AHS! We are so thankful for these incredibly generous funds awarded to us to help thousands of students understand and explore college and career readiness!
It is never too early to begin talking with students about their plans for the future! “Crayons to College: Pilgrimage to the Halls of Knowledge Two!” is a dynamic, innovative grant proposal designed to provide real-life, hands-on applications of college and career readiness experiences for thousands of elementary students! This multi-faceted grant aims to foster not only an awareness of the various educational opportunities post-high school, but to also empower students to take charge of their pathways to higher education!
All of the students within our elementary campuses have access to a multitude of programs from parent led Junior Achievement lessons to teacher and counselor led classroom and guidance lessons using various materials including online programs such as Paws in Jobland. Funds from this innovative grant will afford the elementary schools in our horizontal team the opportunity to provide additional college and career readiness opportunities for all students, in addition to providing a series of thought provoking field trips for our fifth graders.
This is the third year this grant has been awarded to our school and the second consecutive year this grant has been awarded to our team of schools!
The Humble ISD Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization, separate from Humble ISD, whose mission is to keep Humble ISD great by supporting a high quality public education for all Humble ISD students. Since 2000, over $9 million dollars in grants have been awarded to Humble ISD schools to support innovative and creative education projects that prepare our students for success. You may learn more about the Foundation by clicking the link above.
Panther P.A.L.S. for 2016 – 2017
Current Pine Forest Elementary 3rd graders who would like to be Panther P.A.L.S. (Peers as Leaders) may pick up an application packet in the mailbox beside Ms. Vandenbrook’s office or download one here: 16-17 PAL Application
Applications are due to Ms. Vandenbrook by Thursday, May 26th. Unfortunately, no late applications will be accepted.
Panther P.A.L.S. for the 2016 - 2017 school year will be announced on Tuesday, May 31st at the end of the day.
This special program, "Panther P.A.L.s" (Peers as Leaders) is for fourth graders as an opportunity to show leadership by volunteering their time in various areas on our campus.
No Place for Hate® Crew
The No Place for Hate® initiative helps to create and sustain inclusive school environments where all students feel valued and have the opportunity to succeed by promoting respect for individual differences.
This month some of our fabulous No Place for Hate® Crew (a sub group of the fourth grade Panther P.A.L.S.) visited third grade classrooms to recruit new Panther P.A.L.S. for the 2016 - 2017 school year.
PFE has been named a No Place for Hate® school for FOUR years in a row! (May 2013, May 2014, May 2015 and May 2016)!
No Place for Hate® link on Ms. Vandenbrook's Website!
Some of our Campus No Place for Hate Activities
How can YOU be the ONE to be an UPSTANDER for others?
Upstander Grade Level Poster!
Kindness Matters Student Video Creation!
Mentors
Mentoring helps to foster positive, supporting relationships to help students achieve personal/social and academic successes.
On Monday, May 23rd, PFE Honored our special Kids Hope Mentors with a fun luncheon thanking them for their dedication to volunteering for our students!
Guidance Lessons
During the fourth nine weeks all classes will be learning about Goal Setting.
Teaching Goal Directed Behavior
Lila Belle, PFE's Comfort Dog
Introducing Comfort Dog Lila Belle
In May 2015 I was awarded a grant from The Humble ISD Education Foundation called "PAWS-ITIVELY POWERFUL COUNSELING". This dynamic, multi-faceted innovative grant proposal tackles key affective and academic needs on our campus. One facet of this proposal details the incredible addition of male volunteers through the “Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students)” program. The second tier of this grant proposal includes the addition of a four-legged counselor/comfort dog. This entire project will be instrumental in encouraging the emotional well-being of at-risk students, increase students’ confidence in reading, decrease stress, eliminate test anxiety, promote social interaction and create positive connections with peers and adults.
Lila Belle has been in a very comprehensive training the entire fall semester to become an AKC Certified Comfort Dog through the amazing Let's Go! Positive Reinforcement Dog Training, LLC. She will complete her training by the end of January. Lila is the second Sheltie I have rescued through the fabulous Houston Sheltie Sanctuary!
While she is on campus, Lila Belle will have a specific role to play. She will always be under the care of her handler, me, the counselor! Lila is an extremely sweet dog who shows zero aggression towards others. The students will have special opportunities to read to her and other positive interactions as supervised by the counselor.
Pine Forest Elementary is one of six schools in the Humble ISD school district who have the incredible opportunity for comfort dogs through grants funded by The Humble ISD Education Foundation.
On Tuesday, March 8th, Ms. Vandenbrook and Lila Belle were taped as a part of the KWCTV Ch. 42 Your Schools Show with Dr. Sconzo detailing the unique opportunities the staff and students at PFE have with a special Comfort Dog.
(Pictured Below: Michelle Hise, Rdg ALT at WCE and her dog Chelsea and Ms. Vandenbrook and Lila Belle)
Animal Safety
All students will learn the following about safety with animals:
5 Things to know about me (and all pets):
1. Be gentle and calm.
Please don't make sudden moves and startle me. Please don't pet me too hard or pull on my ears or tail.
2. Understand that I am not a toy.
I'm always happy to see you, but sometimes I don't want to play.
3. There must always be an adult present when children play with me.
I feel safer for both you and I when there's an adult nearby. Don't you?
4. Help take care of my basic needs and respect my moods.
I need my owner to feed me, give me fresh water every day, give me a safe place to sleep and play, and help keep me clean.
5. Treat me with kindness and make me feel safe.
Please don't pinch me or pull on my tail or ears. Please don't do anything I wouldn't expect.
Parenting Corner
Positive Parenting Tips for Summer
What is Love and Logic?
"Positive, loving tools for raising happy and well-behaved kids. Built around the science of caring, respectful relationships. Never before in history have parents faced so many challenges! That’s why the Love and Logic approach provides a variety of simple and effective strategies for parenting children birth to adulthood."
By Jim Fay, Charles Fay, Ph.D., and Foster Cline M.D.
C.S.I. Summer Camp
C.S.I. Summer Camp for Incoming 6th - 8th Graders (Humble ISD CATE Center)
Camp Information:
What: CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) Summer Camp 2016
Where: C.A.T.E. Center (9155 Will Clayton Pkwy)
Dates: 08/01/2016-08/04/2016
Time: 8:00 am-11:30 am
Who: incoming 6th-8th graders
Cost: $100.00 before 07/01/2016, $125.00 after 07/01/2016 through the deadline 07/21/2016 (Students are responsible for bringing a snack and a bottle of water each day)
Contact: kira.hasslernewsom@humble.k12.tx.us (281)641-7972 or (281)641-7950
Additional sessions may be added if the first session fills early
*See our PF Flyer the week of 5/23 - 5/27 for additional information and the registration form.
My Contact Information
Email: jennifer.vandenbrook@humble.k12.tx.us
Website: www.humble.k12.tx.us/domain/1363
Phone: 281.641.2107