May 2023 School Counselor Newsletter
Dear St. John Families,
Happy May! This will be my last Counselor Corner Newsletter for a little while because my maternity leave begins on May 12th. But don’t fear, I’ll be back at St. John in my role as full time school counselor come January 2024! Hopefully you saw in a previous edition of Newsviews that while I’m away during the fall, we are fortunate to have Shannon Manley covering for me as my long-term substitute.
Mrs. Manley holds a master’s degree in counseling and knows many of our students very well. She will facilitate the fall series of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Groups and can provide short-term, goal-oriented counseling. I’m grateful that someone so capable will be able to fill in for me!
I’m so thrilled to become a mom and look forward to reconnecting with the students and community in January! If there’s anything I can do for your student or family before I go on leave, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
Warmly,
Ms. Shaw
May Resources
– On Wednesday, May 17th from 6-9pm, students from O’Dea High School will be at St. Catherine School to facilitate a safeTALK Suicide Awareness Workshop. This workshop is open to parents of all grades and middle school students are welcome to attend as well. Learn more about the important work our local high school students are doing to help spread the message of safeTALK and suicide awareness here.
– I know many families are actively searching for a counselor for their child and are encountering roadblocks with a) navigating this confusing system, and b) finding a counselor with an opening. A resource that I strongly encourage families to use is the Washington Mental Health Referral Service for Children & Teens. This is a free service operated by Seattle Children’s Hospital that connects you with mental health providers who accept new patients, work with your insurance, and fit your child’s treatment needs.
– ADHD is the most common mental health disorder during childhood, affecting up to 10% of the population. This is a great article in which local experts answer the 5 Most Common ADHD Questions Asked by Parents. Definitely worth a read if your child has been diagnosed with ADHD or if you’re wanting to learn more.