TCE Counselor Connections
November 2024
Educational Excellence
We know that success after high school starts with some early conversations. Try some of these tips from ed.gov on how to help your learner be successful!
- Review that report card. Pay careful attention to all progress reports, but particularly the first one. You want to get help for any problem areas before your child falls too far behind. Ask your child's teacher how grades are determined and for suggestions on how your student can improve. Review grades and the teacher's comments with your child - always starting with something she's doing well, then pointing out areas that need attention, and ending with something positive again.
- Encourage creativity. Urge your children to enter creative contests and use their imagination whenever possible. This helps build perspective-taking and supports brain development.
- Make over your meals. Think carefully about what your kids are eating at home and in school. View school nutritional information on Nutrislice. Click on each food item to learn more about the ingredients and nutrition. For more healthy eating and lunch-packing tips, go to choosemyplate.gov/kids.
- Be a good citizen. Your child will be learning about the importance of voting and how elections work, and he'll be thrilled to go with you when you cast your ballot on November 5th. Go to KPBS to learn more about how to teach kids how the government works.
- Give thanks. This month's Thanksgiving holiday is the perfect time to talk with your children about all the freedoms the United States has to offer its citizens. Help your children explore what life was like here during the first Thanksgiving at the Library of Congress website: loc.gov/families.
Take the Red Ribbon Week Adult Pledge
Getting To and From School Safely
Family Social and Emotional Literacy Library
Town Center has an exciting resource for families! We now have an entire resource library focused on Social and Emotional skill development. Themes are divided into 5 categories: Understanding Myself, Managing Myself, Respecting Others, Building Relationships, and Making Decisions.
View the titles (below), use the link to request the titles you would like to check out (below), and then use the corresponding conversation starters (below) to facilitate discussions at home. Books and discussion questions will be sent home with learners in book bags and may be returned after 2 weeks.
CRISIS HOTLINES
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Crisis Text Line: text “Hello” to 741741
Suicide Crisis Center of North Texas
(214) 828-1000
National Human Trafficking Hotline
1-888-373-7888
Text 233733
Coppell Cares Weekend Backpack Program
Coppell Cares is providing the Weekend Backpack Program (WBPK) again this school year. Families may sign up for this program at any time during the school year. Siblings living in the same household, are also eligible to participate. If your family would benefit from a weekly Friday snack bag delivery, please submit an application at the link below. Deliveries will be suspended for Thanksgiving Week, Winter Break, and Spring Break.
What Is STOPit?
Watch this video to learn more!
Guidance Lessons
Click on the links below to view 2024-2025 lessons:
LESSON ONE: "What Does the Counselor Do?"
Charles Mortimer Alexander McGee by Maureen Fernandez
Mrs. Joyce Gives the Best High Fives by Erainna Winnett
LESSON TWO: "My Amazing Brain"
Why Do We Lose Control of Our Emotions?
Your Brain by Heather Bryant and Maureen Fernandez
LESSON THREE: "Red Ribbon Week"
Kinder - You Can Make Fit Choices and Charlie & the Curious Club by Erainna Winnett
1st - Yes or No? and Stop, Ask First
2nd - Walter's Pressure
3rd - Make a Plan!
4th - Peer Pressure City and City Map
5th - Refusal Skills and The Line
LESSON FOUR: "Communication"
Kinder - How to Talk to a New Friend and Do You Want to Be My Friend by Eric Carle
1st - Whole Body Listening and Elmo Knows How to Listen
2nd - Communicating That You Care Through Actions
3rd - Active Listening
4th - More Than Words
5th - Communication Styles and The Lion's Cage
Counselor Connection Archive
Kelly Matlock, LPC, RPT, NCC
Email: kmatlock@coppellisd.com
Website: www.coppellisd.com/tce
Location: 185 North Heartz Road, Coppell, TX, USA
Phone: 214-496-7800