Counselor Connection

We are starting to see signs of warmer weather and springtime fun around Warren School. Last week, we enjoyed a "Grow and Glow" day and the kids spent the day doing springtime games, activities and crafts. In the afternoon, the students loved the Laser Light Show all about character and kindness.

Trees are being watched for buds, seeds were planted and some classes are carefully watching to see what their caterpillars will turn into... What a great way to kick off spring!

As part of a school wide SEL initiative, students will learn and practice a different character trait each month. These traits will also be highlighted at our monthly Whole School Assembly where our students will have the opportunity to perform a song/act that represents and models the character trait of that month.

April's theme is Confidence. A kid friendly way to describe Confidence is: believing in yourself and your abilities!

Keys to Building Confidence!

• Embrace Mistakes: Teach kids that mistakes are learning opportunities, not failures, to help them build resilience.
• Encourage New Skills: Encourage trying new things to help them feel capable and resilient.
• Allow Independence: Allow them to take age-appropriate risks and make their own decisions to foster independence.
• Praise Effort, Not Ability: Focus on the process, such as "You worked really hard on this," rather than just "You're smart".
• Model Confidence: Children observe their parents, so model positive,, confident behavior, even when tackling new tasks.
• Give Responsibilities: Assign age-appropriate chores and tasks to help them feel needed and capable.
• Listen Actively: Take their thoughts and feelings seriously to help them feel valued.
• Set Boundaries: Establish consistent, loving boundaries and rules to provide a safe, structured environment.

One of my favorite lessons! The wrinkled heart activity is one that I do with every kindergarten class. It serves as a great visual to a very important lesson. We learned that when we do or say something mean to another person, it leaves a wrinkle on their heart. You cannot SEE a wrinkle, but it is there. When we apologize to someone, it helps the wrinkle, but it does not fix it completely - it is always there. The goal is for students to understand the power of their words and the impact they can have on people around them.

Look for a handout in your student's folder this week explaining about the lesson.

Click on the sport to go to the registration page:

Soccer

Lacrosse

Baseball

• Preschool through grade two students are too young to participate in virtual therapy, so Cartwheel offers virtual parent meetings with a licensed therapist for 30 minutes every other week. These coaching sessions aim to help parents understand their child's mental health needs and the skills, knowledge, and confidence to best meet those needs.
• Students in grades 3-12 can participate in individual tele-therapy with little to no wait time! Therapists speak various languages, and Cartwheel takes most insurance.
• If your child would benefit from either of these services, please complete this referral form or contact your child's school counselor for more information.

Cartwheel's free webinars are designed to empower caregivers, family members, and school staff with practical and actionable information on mental health topics affecting youth and families today. Cartwheel's hope is that every person leaves their webinars feeling more confident in how to connect with a child in their life.

Our district partners with Care Solace to provide a free referral service that families can use to help any member of their immediate family access therapeutic support. https://caresolace.com/ashlandk12

• April 20-24: No School April school vacation