Counselor Connection Resources
Resources for families and students at South Side.
District-Wide Resources/Announcements
Parent Resources From BVIU Parent Night
A collection of resources for anxiety and behavior as well as for motivation
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Resources for housing & utility assistance, food distributions, mental health resources, state & federal assistance, drug & alcohol resources and much more!
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Important Hotlines:
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Beaver County Crisis Intervention Hotline: 1-800-400-6180
Mental Health/Warmline
The Center for Community Resources is offering a 24/7 mental health and crisis support line for people dealing with anxiety or other difficult emotions. Callers will be able to speak with staff who are trained in trauma-informed principles and will listen, assess the person’s needs, triage, and refer to other local supports and professionals as needed.
The Mental Health Support Line can be reached toll-free, 24/7 at 1-855-284-2494.
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Some resources shared with us from the Caring Place:
- Responding to Change and Loss, National Alliance for Grieving Children
- Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association
- Keeping Your Distance to Stay Safe (The emotional impact of Social Distancing and how to cope), American Psychological Association
- Talking to Children About COVID-19: A Parent Resource, National Association of School Psychologists
- Creative Activities to Do With Kids At Home, Art With Heart
- Social versus physical distancing, Actively Moving Forward
The Prevention Network Resources:
Having trouble with your virtual learning?
If you are experiencing any issues with technology or you or your student is having an issue with Virtual Learning, please feel free to contact our district's technology team at sshelpdesk@sssd.k12.pa.us .
High School Resources/Announcements
Since we're in uncharted territory right now, I want to make sure I keep everyone as informed and up-to-date with the changes going on. I'll also be posting resources on mental health and other events that might be interesting/helpful!
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FINANCIAL AID RESOURCES
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COLLEGE & CAREER RESOURCES
College Admission & Applications
- College High School Checklist: Freshman Through Senior Year
- NACAC College Admission Status Update - central resource for information about changes in college admission events, deposit dates, and more as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
- The Common App - Message Regarding the Coronavirus
- NCAA COVID-19 Updates
Virtual College Visits:
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MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
- Managing Anxiety and Stress
- UPMC Children's Hospital - Navigating Teen Life YouTube Channel
- Dealing with Coronavirus Anxiety: Expert Tips
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UPDATES
Here are some important updates regarding SATs, ACTs, and the Common App:
The College Board
ACT
Middle School Resources/Announcements
Many parents have reached out to me about their children struggling with the online learning process. I found a pretty good resource with tips on how to help your child in this new online learning world. Click on the link below to read the article.
https://www.theladders.com/career-advice/tips-for-parents-online-learning-with-children
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Since we're in uncharted territory right now, I want to make sure I keep everyone as informed and up-to-date with the changes going on. I'll also be posting resources on mental health and other events that might be interesting/helpful!
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Awards Ceremony Presentation
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1kDEodoRNeZ1jW9IpSvsNVizVMU-xlK4PulrosFNwpVo/edit?usp=sharing
Awards Ceremony Video
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hwidMaPGbH2OVs26IdgOc9xKJ7xLJnv-/view?usp=sharing
8th Grade Promotion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej_QVIhwuMo&feature=youtu.be
5th Grade Transition Day
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ZQh5oRl4xSyo2-xk6A-OOK9egnfSxcZSbsRw1kpjsNM/edit?usp=sharing
NJHS Ceremony
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ajA_i3eUqe6kdtM9vxBZwSPu0iVn-kc49IPxb6Uy-AU/edit?usp=sharing
Message to students . . .
If you would need to contact me over the Summer, I do check my work email periodically. If you would have an emergency you may contact Stacy Novak in the middle school office, and she will be able to contact me through text or phone. I hope everyone enjoys our time off to relax and rejuvenate. I cannot wait to see everyone in the fall. Have a great Summer!
Elementary School Resources/Announcements
5/29/2020- JOYFUL JUNE CALENDAR
We have had a calendar that we have shared each month. Today I wanted to share the JOYFUL JUNE CALENDAR to wrap the year up with! You can see it above because it was something that all three buildings can use.
I hope it helps you to kick off summer in a joyful way! Please be safe and have a great summer!
5/22/2020-- A couple more tunes...
One of the things I heard the most feedback on this past week has been how much you guys enjoyed the music I shared on Thankful Thursday this past week! With that in mind, here are a few more options for you check out... enjoy! :)
- Shakira--Try Everything- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utP03aJ7L4A
- Tori Kelly- Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzPQ61oYMtQ
5/15/2020-- "If you build it, they will come..."
Name that movie?!?!? We sure are missing baseball at our house! Not at all the same, if you are looking for a few new ways to "BUILD" a better fort, IKEA can help you! Check out this article for a few good ideas on how to go about building a fort that will be better then ever before! Happy Building!
- IKEA Fort Building Instructions: https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/ikea-releases-6-blanket-fort-instructions/
5/8/2020--SELF CARE???
This week I mentioned the importance of Self Care (maybe you even saw my "Self Care Selfie") and it's impact on our Mental Health... whether you are a student or a grown-up!
That being said here are two videos that explain a little more information and a few ideas when it comes to Mental Health and Self Care! I hope you enjoy them and, as always, please let me know if you have any questions!
-5 Tips to Staying Mentally Healthy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RJqgHalbXs
-Self- Care for Kids: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X55radTB-M
5/1/2020--Additional Parenting Class Opportunity
I do not know if you were able to attend the "workshop" that was offered this past Wednesday or not, but I wanted to share another opportunity. Love & Logic parenting is offering their online program (normally $99) for free. You would have until May 15th to sign up, I will post the video to help you access it below, and then have access to the course for 3 months! It is a cool option for parents and even for educators in trying to best support and parent our little ones. I signed up myself... I would love to hear if you are signing up a well, or if you have any questions. Have a great weekend!
4/24/2020-- In case you missed it...
There continue to be SO many "good" things being created to help us all through these times. This one is thanks to our friends at Sesame Street... maybe you were able to catch it, but if you were not here is the link to Elmo's Virtual Play Date:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEBjwWRfBSs
Even if you have outgrown Sesame Street... please consider, if you have not already... and with grown-up permission if you are a student, a Virtual Play Date with Family and or Friends. It can be very good for your soul!
4/17/2020-- Looking for a quick boost of supports on a variety of topics?
Whether you are a parent or guardian or a student, or even a teacher, who is looking for something that might help with a variety of challenges I wanted to share with you a long list of stories read by the author herself, Julia Cook. Julia Cook is wonderful at giving us a great story wrapped around a powerful lesson and a bunch of tips and "tools" for your toolboxes!
Check out this link for her "BOOKENDS: Reading with Julia Cook":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yfva5ltdpEw&list=PLdKJzzzGGdzEwJjMVtUZEX2ZsLNwKCctg
I hope you enjoy... please let me know if you have any questions! :)
4/3/2020--In the spirit of Choosing Joy...
Here are two quick, but great, websites with some extra inspiration for this week/ weekend:
If you're feeling crafty:
https://www.highlightskids.com/activities
If you are more prone to enjoy cooking in your kitchen:
https://www.nomsterchef.com/nomster-recipe-library
3/27/2020-- A few stories for your enjoyment, with of course a few lessons mixed in...
So there is a lot of work that you guys have already gotten started and I am so proud of everyone for the great start to our first few days online. That being said, I thought I would share three stories with you that I think you will enjoy when you need a little lesson or break from whatever it is that you are doing. The first is read by one of my favorite people at the Highmark Caring Place and is perfect for even our littlest learners so that they (you if you are a student reading this yourself) know that all of your feelings are okay and it is important to always remember you can talk about them with a trusted adult. The second is about a shark who has to learn about how he can be himself and be respectful at the same time. The third is a silly mystery that is mostly for fun... but that also and reminds us that we need to work together and be kind. Enjoy them below and please let me know if you have any questions... or favorites!