What’s Happening in Cub Connections This Month?

During the month of March, I have visited all of the K-6th  grade classes to teach lessons. K-3rd grade lessons have focused on Conflict Resolution, Problem Solving, and Handling Disappointment. 4th-6th grade has been working on learning about careers, interests, and exploring the interview process. Students completed a career Interest Inventory, watched videos about different career clusters and listened to people who work in all kinds of careers! Students were also introduced to the Interview Process, watched good and bad examples of interviews, had great discussions about career interests and will be partnering up to complete a “mock interview” for a career of their choice! To cap off this unit, we had a special guest speaker come to visit our 4th graders this week, Chief Steven Johnson of Douglas County Sheriff Dept. Students listened to Chief Johnson talk about life as a police officer, and students had the opportunity to ask fantastic questions about the job! Some of our students even earned a special prize police patch for their excellent questions and engagement! 

 It's October! What's Going on in Cub Connections This Month?

Everyone has been hard at work and busy busy at SME! Here is a recap of our Cub Connections program throughout the month of September, and a peak at what October will bring!

 During the month of September, I met all of our students and visited each cohort for live lessons, and video lessons. 

For K-3rd grade: Second Step lessons 1-3 were all covered through the month of September! Our youngest students got to learn about Showing Respect in the classroom, The Four Rules for Good Listening, Using Self-Talk to help ourselves focus through. distractions, and What it means to be Assertive! We had lots of fun learning these skills along with our puppet friends, "Puppy" and "Sam the Snail." If your student would like to watch the lessons again, they can be found on my YouTube channel by clicking the link HERE. Throughout the month of October,  we will continue our lessons and meet new puppet friends along the way! 

For 4th-6th grade: In September, our Energy Bus focus was "You are the Driver," and for our 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students, we connected how our choice to drive our Energy Bus down a positive path or a negative path, connects with our natural character strengths, and how we are always in control to make choices that reflect our best character strengths each day. Our lesson was a Harry Potter themed, two part lesson that encouraged students to explore what they thought were their own natural character strengths, and then connect those strengths with the choices they make each day in their thoughts, feelings, and interactions with others. In October, our Energy Bus topic is "Create a Positive Vision." Students will learn all about mindfulness and gratitude, and how we can change our negative thoughts, and get "unstuck" through mindfulness practice. 

 What's Going on in Counseling "Cub Connections?"

In the last two weeks, I have been busy visiting classrooms and meeting students in every grade! It has been so fun to get into the classrooms, and get to know students. This week, I will be visiting our Red/Cohort A and our Paws/Cohort B groups. Next week, I will visit Navy/ Cohort A and Cubs/Cohort B groups. 

In kindergarten through 3rd grade we will begin our Second Step Curriculum! This curriculum can also be viewed on my YouTube channel, along with story-time read alouds, and more! You can find my YouTube channel by clicking HERE . 

In 4th-6th grade, our September Energy Bus Concept is "Be Your Own Driver." Our lesson will be a very exciting Harry Potter themed lesson to teach students about Character. We will explore Character Traits for each house, reflect on which traits are strongest within each of us, and discuss how we can use our own natural Character strengths to Drive Our Bus on the Positive Path!  

What's Going On in Counseling This Week?

 Hello Again, Friends! 

This week, I am having so much fun visiting classrooms for the first time! Students are learning a little bit about me, and my role on campus. We are discussing how school counselors support students, what kinds of things we will discover during classroom guidance, and how they can access support from me when they need to. Students will also receive a special surprise treat at the end of the lesson!

 On that note, I want to mention that "Cub Connections," the SME Social Emotional Learning program, will be a part of students' "Double Specials" days. I will be visiting classrooms every two weeks, which means each cohort will receive one lesson per month. When we return to normal, I will still visit classrooms every two weeks, but deliver two lessons per month. For our friends in K-3rd grade, I will use the Second Step Program for their specified grade level. Our friends in 4th-6th grade will receive lesson aligned to the Energy Bus Principle of the Month. Look for my first recorded Second Step Lesson this Friday; a link to watch will be posted on my website. 

You can find it here: Mrs. Navarro's Counseling Website .

If your student is in Kindergarten, they will be bringing home a "Practice at Home" worksheet after I visit their classrooms. These worksheets include fun activities to try together as a family, and review concepts we discussed in our lesson for the week. You can also access the digital version of these worksheets through the link on my website.

Until next time...remember to breathe, smile, and be kind. 

Story Time! "A Little Spot Wears a Mask" by Dian Alber

A Little Spot Wears a Mask 

Hello Stone Mountain Cubs! Is your little one wondering why we have to wear masks to school? In this fun read aloud, Spot explains all about how masks help keep us safe and healthy from viruses and germs. We also learn how to put a mask on, take a mask off, store masks, and wash masks! Click the link to begin the story. I hope you enjoy:)

Click Here to Listen:

A Little Spot Wears a Mask

New Bitmoji Counseling Office

Hello, Stone Mountain Families! Below is the link to my brand new Bitmoji Interactive Counseling Office. PLease click around and explore; it will be updated weekly with fun, new activities, links to Mrs. Berndt's Music Room, links to my storytime Read Aloud playlist on YouTube, SEl lessons, and more! Remember, take time each day to Have Fun, Stay Calm, and Breath:) 

Mrs. Navarro's Bitmoji Office

Family Emotional Health Resources

Hello Again! As we inch closer to the beginning of what promises to be a unique school year, I wanted to share some awesome resources to help ease the anxiety and begin a self-care routine for everyone. Below, you'll find a number of links, tips, and conversation starters for keeping your family communication open and restorative, in order to help everyone adjust to the "new normal." As always, please reach out to me, or to another trusted support provider, should you or your student need additional support.

Remember, "Put on Your Oxygen Mask Before You Assist Others"

Adult Self-Care is important! here are some ideas for taking time out to relax and ground yourself:

• Adults and Parents

• Self care planning

• 1st Aid - For the moment

• Netflix

• Relaxing Music

• Your Favorite Snack

• A Bubble Bath

• A Long Walk

• For prolonged wellness -

• Balanced Health - Physical, Mental, and Emotional

• Healthy diet, daily exercise, routine, mindfulness, yoga or meditation practice

• Develop a Response Plan

• Identify triggers/behaviors that set you off

• What will help you regulate?

• Before:

• During:

• After:

Connect With The Family

• Family Circles/Meetings -you can choose a scheduled "family circle" day and time if you'd like

• Use Affective Language-this language expresses emotion and remains neutral when conflicts arise

• “I feel….”

• “I am frustrated…”

• “I am happy…”

• Authentically engage everyone-from the youngest member of the family, to the oldest 💗

• All voices heard, valued, and considered

• Explain why decisions were made

• Set clear expectations around the decision

Here are Some Ideas/Prompts for Starting Family Circle:

1. What have you been thinking or feeling as this crisis unfolds?

2. What are your thoughts about: physical distancing, changes in our jobs, not seeing friends, etc.?

3. What has been the hardest thing for you?

4. What ideas can we come up with to move forward?

5. Who is one person you can reach out to connect with?

6. What is something in your control you can do during this time?

7. What are you most grateful for right now?

8. Have you started anything new to get through this time that you will want to keep moving forward?

Active Listening: Listening with intention, free from distractions, and without interruption:

• Take time to listen to concerns and remove distractions: turn off TV, put phones away and try not to interrupt or make judgement statements when someone is talking

• Face-to-face conversations can sometimes result in kids being more quiet

• Kids often talk more openly when their hands are busy

• Playing a board game, petting the dog, coloring, or walking together, etc.

• After you hear thoughts take time to process the information and respond calmly and authentically

• You are the biggest role model and your reactions and comments have an influence

• Avoid judgment statements, just listen.

Additional Resources for Parents:

Dr. Cypers 90 Minute Presentation on Supporting Kids With Anxiety

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXAh87oaPDk&feature=youtu.be

Hey Sigmund, Helping Teens With Anxiety

https://www.heysigmund.com/

Puppy asks about the Coronavirus

Calming Kids' Worries about Covid-19

As we all try to navigate the shared trauma that is the Coronavirus Pandemic, it can sometimes feel overwhelming, for adults and for children. Kids, especially those in elementary school, often hear or see things ( perhaps on the news, radio, or other media)  that may make them feel scared, but they don't have a full understanding of what is happening. This uncertainty, combined with the drastic changes in lifestyle, social isolation, etc. can lead to emotional disruption, feelings of frustration, anxiety, and loneliness. To help children understand Covid, I had a "discussion" with my puppet 

( aptly named "Puppy") about Covid-19. Puppy asked common questions and shared his concerns as we read a publication made for children by NPR. I made this video in March, but the conversation with Puppy is still relevant today. I hope it can provide some answers, and possible relief, to kids who may be feeling scared or unsure about Covid-19 and the current change in our lifestyles. You'll also find some useful resources on talking with kids, and helping kids understand the Covid-19 pandemic, pasted below. 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/

Relax :)

Below, you'll find links to help kids self-regulate. First, there are links to live animal and ocean cams. 

https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams/monterey-bay-cam

https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams/kelp-forest-cam

https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams/sea-otter-cam

Next, let's talk about coloring! Coloring is a great way to relax and express emotion without using words. Here are some coloring pages for you to try! The link to the main coloring page resource is also provided below. 

http://www.supercoloring.com/coloring-pages/tags/sea-ocean-animals

Resources for Teacher and Families

Hello, Friends, and welcome to My Virtual Counseling Resource Page!

 Below, I have provided some links to activities, videos, and other resources to help students cope with big emotions. These emotions can include Anxiety, Anger, Impulsivity, Low Motivation, and more! This page will continually be refreshed, with new resources, updates, and information. I hope you will find these resources helpful:)

The Body Scan can help kids ( and adults!) identify the cues each of our bodies give us when our emotions grow. This short video provides an example of a body scan for children. 

Teaching Kids How to Use a 1-10 Scale is a useful tool for them child, and their caregivers. Below, You'll find an example of a 1-10 rating scale for anxiety. Students who can verbalize their rating can tell you very quickly, where they are. ( 1 being "able to deal/stay in classroom" and 10 being " Out of control/Dysregulated)

The third tool that is very helpful for kids, is to be able to self identify WHERE in the body they are feeling anxiety. All of our bodies give us cues when we feel different emotions. You can use the blank body outline below, to encourage children to color/point to where they feel their big emotions. As an example, anxiety might lead to a feeling of illness or "butterflies" in the stomach. Anger may lead to a headache, or tight fists.