High School Counselor Connections
Connecting with Families during a Pandemic
Greetings from our Home
We are both available by email and will specifically be at our computers during our designated office hours(posted below). You or your student may email and request an individual video meeting with either of us. Just send us an email with this request and we will send you the time and link to the meeting.
As always we are here for any of your academic, career, and personal/social needs.
-Mrs. Hilliard & Mr. Heinemeyer
How Can I Live with my Teen and Still Love Them?
1. Know what your teen needs.
My son needs to be active and working so he is living on a farm with friends and they are making him work. My daughter needs space and quiet. Interaction on her own terms, so we do puzzles and most of the time she has her headphones on.
2. Emphasize and model social distancing.
3. Understand and validate their frustrations.
They want to be with friends. This is a normal part of their development, however, they need help and structure finding a different way. Allow them more time that usual to connect with friends through virtual hangouts and other social media methods.
4. Support and expect virtual school
With Spring Break over we will begin virtual learning, engage with your teens. Have them show you their work in their google classrooms. , not just tell you about it. Each teacher will be delivering instruction through this model.
5. Create a schedule
This can be one that you create with your son or daughter that fits the needs of their learning as well as the needs and structure of your family. Once that schedule is set, stick to it and make them stick to it. Trust me their work and your work is a tough balance in a house where there are better things to do and plenty of things to be done!
As part of the schedule make sure there are set times for sleep, eating and movement and/or outside time.
-Mrs. Hilliard
Too much Togetherness will Increase Tension
- acknowledge the unknown and indefinite timelines
- accept there are things we have no control over and we must just find ways push to through it.
- engage daily in things that you each enjoy and schedule them into your day
- limit news and discussion about the virus
-Mrs. Hilliard
Social Isolation and Suicide
All of the factors mentioned MAY increase thoughts of suicide. Please use resources or reach out to one of us if you have concerns about teens in your home or if you hear of concerning things about other students.
--Mrs Hilliard
Additional resources
Office Hours
Missy Hilliard
Online Office Hours 10:00-12:00 M-F
Video Meetings (by
appointment ) 8:00-3:45 M-F
Mitch Heinemeyer
Online Office Hours 1:00-3:00 M-F
Video Meetings (by
appointment ) 8:00-3:45 M-F