October 2021 School Counselor Newsletter
Dear St. John Families,
Can you believe we’re already a month into the school year? Now that we’re settled into the year, I am so excited to begin my first round Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) groups.
SEL groups are one of my key interventions to support students in kindergarten through fifth grade who need extra help with a particular social or emotional skill (e.g., emotional regulation, anxiety, coping skills, friendship, etc.) Groups are formed with 3-5 same-grade peers and meet for 30 minutes a week during the school day for 8 consecutive weeks.
If you believe that your child would benefit from some additional social or emotional support and would like them to be considered for a group, please fill out this online form. The deadline to refer your child for the upcoming round of groups is Wednesday, October 6th.
Please note: I cannot guarantee a space for every student who is referred to my groups. However, I make every effort to get each referred student into a group rotation at some point during the school year. In the coming weeks, I will work with teachers to determine who will be in the upcoming round of groups, prioritizing students who need immediate support.
As always, please feel free to contact me at cshaw@st-johnschool.org. I work with students and families throughout the week and am happy to help you in whatever way I can.
Warmly,
Ms. Shaw
October Resources
- “Emotion Coaching” is a simple, yet powerful parenting tool that can help prevent and lower your child’s strong negative emotions and reactions. Seattle Children’s Hospital created a guide outlining the three steps of this tool. I highly recommend using this tool at home—it’s very effective and easy to implement!
- Resilient kids can bounce back from challenges, try again, and learn along the way. Are you looking for tips and activities to help your child become more resilient? Check out this article packed with developmentally appropriate strategies to nurture resilience in kids of all ages.
- After the prolonged isolation and social distancing children have experienced, younger children in particular may be finding it challenging to make friends and successfully navigate new social situations. Check out these excellent tips to help empower children to make connections and develop social confidence.