School Counselor's Newsletter
October 2021
Our mission is to Educate! Prepare! Inspire!
Important Dates
10/1 End of Quarter 1
10/3- Fire Prevention Week
10/4 -10/8 Fall Intersession (No School for Staff & Students)
10/11 Columbus Day/ Teacher Work Day (No School for Students)
10/15 Report Cards Issued
10/21 Early Dismissal (12:10 pm) Parent Conference Day (2:00 pm-6:00 pm)
10/25-10/29- Red Ribbon Week
10/27- Terrific Kids/ Princi-PALS
10/31-Halloween
What's On My Bookshelf?
The Way I Feel
The Way I Feel by, Janan Cain
Seeing and naming feelings is an important part of helping children learn to identify them within themselves. Characters in The Way I Feel show off a variety of facial expressions, paired with rhyming text that names and describes their emotions from silly, to disappointed, to proud.
Stress- Relief in Children (Feelings and Emotions Matter)
- Recognize that a negative attitude or poor behavior choices can be a result of stress. This doesn't mean that your expectations for respectful behavior should change.
- Acknowledge your child's stress. Let them know you understand that change can be hard and acknowledge that some adults feel the same way at times.
- Listen to your child. Let them tell you about their school day, the good parts and the bad parts. Children understand way more then we give them credit for sometimes.
- Help them identify their feelings. Are they frustrated, mad, sad, confused, overwhelmed? Finding the correct feeling word(s) can help reduce stress.
- Validate their feelings. Never tell them they shouldn't feel a certain way.
- Tell your child about the importance of school and doing their best, even when it's hard or they don't want to. Hold firm to your expectations.
- Be careful not to put too much pressure on your child for grades or performance. Every child learns differently and at their own pace.
- Try not to take away their stress for them by letting them stay home from school or doing their homework for them. This will not help them in the long run.
- Talk about stresses they can control vs. stresses they can't. Write them down and "get rid" of the ones they can't change (rip them up, throw them away, put them in a box).
- Worry or Stress Stones can help your child/ren work through their own stress. Your child can find a smooth stone and decorate it with a permanent marker. Then they can keep it in their pocket or backpack to rub when needed.
- Help your child develop positive self-talk habits. When they're stressed, they can begin to talk to themselves through it- " I can do this," " I am good at this," "I've gotten through this or something similar before," "I'll try my very best."
Helpful Tips for Parents and Children
Counselor's Corner
As school counselors, our role involves providing information to families as well as supporting your child's social, emotional and behavioral needs. We take the holistic approach just as a community should.
Social/Emotional Development
A Definition of Mindfulness Meditation for Children
Mindfulness meditation, at its simplest, is paying attention to what is happening in the present moment. It may be what you’re feeling, hearing, or anything else you notice. There’s no special place of calm you have to reach and it’s not about clearing your mind, it’s just an honest and kind look at what you’re experiencing in this moment.
Click link for more information on mindfulness.
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS)
-Source: https://www.pbis.org/
Please see the Lucy T. Davis Discipline Plan Matrix above for information on our school-wide expectations.
National Educational and Health Awareness Dates
Florence One Schools
Helpful links....
Testing and Assessments: https://www.f1s.org/Domain/1790
F1S District Calendar: https://www.f1s.org/Page/2#calendar1/20210809/month
Lucy T. Davis Elementary School: https://www.f1s.org/lucytdavis
Lucy T. Davis Elementary School Counselors
cinda.barrett@fsd1.org (School Based Therapist)
Email: makesha.jackson@fsd1.org
Website: f1s.org/LucyTDavis
Location: 201 Westfield Drive, Florence, SC, USA
Phone: (843) 665-5977
Florence 1 Schools Grading Scale
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 60 - 69
F = 59 and below