CCE Counseling & Wellness at CCE
January 2024
We know you get a lot of information from CCE and the district so we are grateful that you're here for more! The purpose of this newsletter is to go a little deeper into some of the ways the staff at CCE are supporting all students and their academic, personal, and social development. You can expect this newsletter in your inbox at the end of each month with information from both our Wellness teacher and School Counselor.
Debbie Edwards, School Counselor dedwards2@dcsdk12.org
Stephanie Star, Wellness Teacher sstar@dcsdk12.org
January Counseling Lessons with Mrs. Edwards
Each month the school counselor visits every classroom to deliver lessons that enhance students' social, emotional wellbeing and mental health. Ask your student what they remember from the following lessons delivered in January.
Kindergarten: Self-control in Communication
Outcome: I can demonstrate self-control when asking for what I need or want.
We read "My Mouth Is A Volcano" by Julia Cook and discussed how it feels to be interrupted by others as well as self-control strategies to wait your turn before speaking.
1st Grade: Perspective Taking
Outcome: I can define perspective-taking and give examples.
We read the book "A Tale of Two Beasts" by Fiona Robertson and discussed how different people can have different thoughts and feelings about the same situation and why it's important to work on seeing things from another person's perspective.
2nd Grade: Strengths and Weaknesses
Outcome: I can list some of my strengths and weaknesses.
We read the book "A Walk in The Rain With a Brain" and discussed that all brains are smart. It's important to know our strengths and challenges so that we can learn from what we already do well to grow in the areas where we struggle.
3rd Grade: I Can Do Hard Things
Outcome: I can identify at least one strategy for overcoming a challenge.
This Growth Mindset lesson, using the book Jabari Jumps by helped students identify challenges in their lives and strategies they can use to overcome those challenges.
4th Grade: Stand Up To Stress
Outcome: I can identify stress and the positive and negative ways to deal with it.
Stress is a normal part of life but it does not have to control our lives! We looked at several healthy habits that kids and adults can form in order to be resilient under pressure. Ask your student about the healthy habits they want to work on creating or maintaining.
5th-6th Grade: Time Management
Outcome: I will identify at least one strategy I can use to manage my time more effectively.
Time can fly or time can drag on! Through a variety of activities students experienced and discussed the difference between a "sense of time" and "measured time" and why it is important to be able to measure time accurately.
January Wellness Lessons with Mrs. Star
Because of the way our Specials schedule works, I have the privilege of seeing each class once every four weeks. This means we cover different topics each rotation, and the lessons are based in the Mind Up curriculum. There is some overlap between Counseling lessons and Wellness lessons. So far in Wellness class we have covered the following areas:
- Self Awareness
- Self Management
- Social Awareness
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me!
Stephanie Star
Kindergarten-2nd grade
Naming our feelings and recognizing feelings in others using games, read alouds, and creative expression. We created breathing sticks as a tool to help with those “icky” feelings and calm ourselves down so we can make good decisions.
3rd-6th grade
Getting “granular” about our feelings, meaning being very specific about how we are feeling beyond sad, happy, or scared. The Mind Up curriculum has taught us that the first step toward dealing with our uncomfortable emotions appropriately is to name the emotion as accurately as possible. Students generated lists of feelings for these basic categories: sad, happy, scared, disgusted, surprised, and angry. They then created a “Feelings Wheel” so that they have a resource for naming their feelings.
*6th grade-These students also learned about the changing adolescent brain and strategies to cope with these changes. They did a lot of reading and reflection both individually and with their peers.
What you can do to support this learning!
3rd-6th
Ask your child to be specific about their feelings. Not only when they are feeling an uncomfortable emotion, but when they are feeling positive emotions as well. A simple, “how do/did you feel?” and helping them name something more than “sad” like “disappointed” or “frustrated” will go a long way.
Kindergarten-2nd
Ask them about their Breathing Sticks and how to use them!
All students
Remind your child that naming their feelings helps them to use their “Wise Owl” and make good decisions.
Coyote Creek started using the MindUp curriculum in 2021 in our classrooms, counseling lessons and now in specials with the addition of a Wellness class. MindUP, an evidence-based preventative mental health program is rooted in neuroscience, mindful awareness, positive psychology, and social & emotional learning to support the well-being of children aged 3 to 14.
Why does this matter in school? In short, because, like you, we want our students to learn and grow to be their best in and outside of school.
MindUP has conducted 11 independent research studies across three countries, demonstrating these positive outcomes. For more information, please refer to our research studies and outcomes here.
Parent Book Study
Join us in the spring semester for another parent support opportunity at CCE as we discuss the book 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don't Do, by Amy Morin. This book outlines practical ways we as parents can help raise children who are confident, resilient, happy and healthy!
When: Jan 16th, Mar 5th, & May 14th after PTO meetings.
- PTO has graciously offered to shorten their meetings a bit on these dates so we can start our book study around 6:30. We will end by 7:30pm.
Where: CCE Library
Child care provided!
Can't make it to all three discussions? No problem! Read the book anyway and come when you can.
Resources for Families
- CCE School Counseling Website - click on the Resources page. Don't see what you need there? Contact Mrs. Edwards directly.
- DCSD Family Resources page includes links to academic, medical, community, mental health resources and much more.
- Parent University
- January 31st: "The Role of Today's School Counselor" by Ann Hriso. Virtual. 5:30-6:30pm