The theme of December is "Making Good Choices". During November and December, our counselors have partnered with Partners 4 Wellness to present the first 5 lessons of the Too Good for Drugs Program in 4-8th grade classes. These first 5 lessons emphasized multiple Emotion Management lessons including Making Responsible Decisions.

With the holiday season upon us, your challenge this month is to stop and think through your options and evaluate the pros and cons before making your decision to allow you to make the best decision that is right.

At Las Flores, we can also remember to strive to be a H.E.R.O. (Be Honest, Engaged, Respectful, and Take Ownership) at all times.

It is okay to ask for help! We all need help from time to time. Students are often afraid to ask their teacher questions when they have them. The following are tips when asking your teachers for help or support.

1. Be respectful: when asking for help, it is best to say "please" and "thank you".

2. Ask for help outside of class time: If you are nervous for asking for help in front of your peers, you can stay after class or email your teacher.

3. Take advantage of BEAR time: be proactive and enroll yourself into the classes that you need extra support

** Try asking for help in the following way***

Mr./Ms.___(teacher name)____,

I am struggling to understand_______. Could you please let me know if I can talk to you about______? If so, when would be a good time to talk to you?

Thank you for your help,

____(student name)_____

Helping Your Child Make Responsible Choices

Steps to Good Decision Making Skills for Teens

Making Important Decisions Together

While the holidays can be a joyous time filled with festivities, it is also the perfect time to slow things down and practice self-care.

1. Get plenty of rest: the holidays are a great time to re-charge so you can take on the new year!

2. Spend time doing things you love: whether it's reading a good book, playing sports, volunteering, or painting, do the things you otherwise wouldn't have time to do.

3. Stay connected: be intentional and spend time with the people who fill your cup, like friends and family

4. Spend time outdoors: go for a walk, jog, hike, or bike ride! Spending time outdoors is great for our bodies and minds

Our students have spoken! They have identified the following careers they would like to learn more about:

• Entertainment/sports careers: professional athlete, coach
• Professional/financial service careers: attorney, judge, chief financial officer, certified public accountant
• Health services careers: doctor, nurse, veterinarian, physical therapist, ultrasound technician
• Hospitality careers: professional chef, restaurant owner/manager, hotel manager
• Professional arts and design careers: musician, photographer, author, journalist, graphic designer, fashion designer, actor/actress
• Science and Engineering careers: biologist, archaeologist,
• Business careers: real-estate agent, marketing, entrepreneur/business owner,
• Service industry careers: mechanic, electrician, police officer, firefighter
• Architecture and engineering careers: architect, civil engineer, electrical engineer
• Education careers
• Computer and information technology careers: computer programmer/scientist, video game programmer

We plan on hosting speakers throughout the rest of the school year. If you or someone you know would be interested in speaking about one of the above careers, please complete the Google Form linked below.

December 7: Too Good for Drugs - Lesson 3

6th Grade: Diagnostic Tune-up: Identifying and Managing Emotions

7th Grade: Understanding Me: Identifying and Managing Emotions

8th Grade: Calibrating Sensors: Identifying and Managing Emotions

December 12: Too Good for Drugs - Lesson 4

6th Grade: Express Yourself: Effective Communication

7th Grade: Say It With Style: Effective Communication

8th Grade: Press Send: Effective Communication

December 14: Too Good for Drugs - Lesson 5

6th Grade: Peer Review: Bonding and Relationships

7th Grade: The Right Connection: Bonding and Relationships

8th Grade: Friend Request: Bonding and Relationships

In partnership with CUSD's partner Partners 4 Wellness, all 4-8th grade students will be given the Too Good for Drugs program throughout the 2023-2024 year, from November - February. If you would like to know more about the program, we invite you to review the Too Good website- linked here.

** If you have any questions regarding the curriculum, please feel free to contact us. The theme of each lesson will also be provided one week in advance of the lessons. For more specific information on each lesson, you may view the 'scope and sequence' of the week's lesson on the Too Good for Drugs website.**

Debbie Miller (Last Names A-P)

• dejmiller@capousd.org

Alexandria Tilley (Last Names Q-Z)

• aktilley@capousd.org

If you would like us to meet with your child, please complete the Counseling Referral Form below. We will meet with your child as soon as possible.