Words from the Counselor
Welcome back Mighty Comets! We are excited to kick off another awesome school year and have lots of great things in store for Couch Elementary School! Allow me to introduce myself as your school counselor, Ms. Hardy! I am beginning my 20th year in education and my 6th year as a school counselor in Garland ISD. I am excited to serve the students and families of Couch Elementary School for the second year.
I am a firm believer and supported of the whole child approach to education. I believe in advocating for policies, practices, and relationships that ensure each child in every school and community is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged in order to build lifelong learners and successful citizens.
Due to the uncertainty we are facing during this time with the Corona Virus Pandemic, our monthly newsletter is going digital. This ensures no matter what circumstances affect our school we can all stay connected and informed about mental health needs. You can access the "Counselor's Corner" Newsletter from all devices.
To ensure that we are meeting the needs of both our students and parents, please take a moment and complete the Counseling Needs Assessment on-line Goggle Form. Your feedback will help me improve and grow our counseling program. My contact information is below; feel free to reach out anytime. If you are interested in meeting with me, please email me your request and allow up to 24 hours for a response. We are looking forward to a fantastic year at Couch Elementary School, home of the Mighty Comets!
Warmest regards,
Ms. Ngina Hardy, School Counselor
Couch Elementary School
“Supporting student success in a diverse and evolving society”
Office: 972-240-1801 ext. 45520
Email: nahardy@garlandisd.net
SCHOOL COUNSELING NEEDS SURVEY
Please take a moment and complete the needs survey for Couch Elementary School Counseling Services. Your feedback is helpful in ensure I am meeting the needs of our students, parents, staff and community stakeholders! Please fill out this out by Monday August 31, 2020! Thank you.
MEET YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR MS. HARDY
When: Monday August 31, 2020
Time: 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Where: Google Meets
Computer: (https://meet.google.com/kpm-xott-muu)
Phone: +321-430-6024 (Pin 539 392 850#)
TRANSITIONING INTO THE SCHOOL YEAR TIPS
BACK TO SCHOOL TIME CAN BE ROUGH ON KIDS AND PARENTS!!
After spending months with family, the transition back to school can feel like you’re starting all over, even if your child isn’t new to the back to school routine. This year may be unusually hard due to the amount of time children have spent with their parents. Here are some of these tips to help ease student anxiety and fear as we begin a new school year.
Check your feelings at the door
You are really nervous or scared to drop your child off at school, your child will feel it too. Find time to express your feelings separately.
Make your goodbyes quick
Long and repeated goodbye rituals can prolong your child’s fear about you leaving them at school. A hug, kiss, and “have a good day” are all your child needs to start their day.
Be careful about saying “I’ll miss you"
While this sounds loving, it may cause your child to feel worried about you, instead of focusing on their school day. You might say “I can’t wait to hear about your day later” or “I’ll see you at dinner time” instead.
Write your child an encouraging note
Packing a short note in your child’s lunchbox or backpack can give them something to look forward to.
Avoid walking your child in after the first week.
There will be opportunities for you to come into their classroom, but your child needs to know they can do it on their own.
SMALL GROUP COUNSELING SERVICES
Students may participate in the following groups:
- Coping with Social and Testing Anxiety
- Divorce/Blended/Extended Family Issues
- Relationship Building
- Social Skills
- Grief/Loss/Incarceration
More information will be provided for parents at the Meet the Counselor Orientation on Monday August 31, 2020.
GUIDANCE LESSONS/CHARACTER EDUCATION
The purpose of the guidance curriculum component is to help all students develop basic life skills. It is the foundation of a developmental guidance program. In Texas, seven areas have been identified for the guidance curriculum:
• Self-confidence Development
• Motivation to Achieve
• Decision-making, Goal-setting, Planning, and Problem-solving Skills
• Interpersonal Effectiveness
• Communication Skills
• Cross-cultural Effectiveness
• Responsible Behavior
Character education and Social Emotional Learning is aimed to teach young students valuable skills that help them interact and communicate with others, solve problems and make good decisions. Below are the six areas of guidance used to help students build healthy habits such as:
- Respect
- Responsibility
- Trustworthiness
- Caring/Kindness
- Fairness
- Citizenship
We also concentrate on a variety of other topics that are important in helping students make healthy choices and encourage positive academic, social, and emotional growth such as:
Bullying
- Cyber-Safety
- Anti-victimization
- College, Career and Military Awareness
- Drugs/Alcohol Education
- Physical Health/Safety
Email: nahardy@garlandisd.net
Website: https://www.smore.com/bh1bq
Location: 4349 Waterview Lane, Garland, TX, United States
Phone: 972-240-1801
Twitter: @diggybmomma09
WHY IS SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING SO IMPORTANT AT SCHOOL AND HOME?
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
Social Emotional Learning: What is SEL & Why SEL Matters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikehX9o1JbI&t=7s
It is important that all classroom teachers begin the school year incorporating SEL practices into your daily schedule. This established classroom expectations and become part of student daily routines.
5 Strategies to Build Community in your Classroom (Sanford Harmony)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaZmiO8JBHU
How To Greet Someone At School, A Social Story
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gGma_FZRxc
5 Minute SEL Activities
https://www.edutopia.org/article/13-powerful-sel-activities-emelina-minero
Activities that aid in exploring and describing emotions:
https://www.apperson.com/teach-talk/10-activities-to-help-students-explore-emotions
Yoga for Classrooms Yoga together as a family that focuses on "Seven Ways to Find Grace and Alleviate Suffering" as we function in life during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Board Games. Board games are a great way to teach and model social emotional skills including sportsmanship, taking turns, being kind, being patient, and being fair, among others skills. Talk with your child about these skills and encourage/praise them when they are using these skills, Also, just have fun!
Mindful Moments. Take time to help your child be present in the moment, and also use this for yourself! Go outside and focus purely on your 5 senses: What do you smell, feel, taste, see, and hear? You can even do this with a little candy treat! Focus on your five senses as you feel and open the package and then focus on your senses as you eat it. Thinking about anything else in the world? Or are you enjoying that delicious piece of chocolate? Help your mind go to a more peaceful place with mindful moments!
