School Counselor Connection

September 2020 Newsletter

Roxanne Contreras- School Counselor

Dear Cedars Family,

We have an exciting year ahead of us although it may be different, we will work together and grow together. We completed the needs assessment for our students and have a better understanding of the needs and where we can assist your children. Please reach out to me if you have any concerns or questions. Counseling sessions are underway to include whole group and individual. We have been covering topics on conflict resolution, self awareness, self advocacy, social skills, diversity and inclusion this month.

We would also like you to complete a parent needs assessment at your earliest convenience.

Please click below on Parent Needs Assessment.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Contreras

Email: rcontreras@cedars-academy.org
Location: Cedars International Academy, North Interstate 35 Frontage Road, Austin, TX, USA

Parent Needs Assessment

Gratitude and Making Connections

Classroom Connections

Directly target gratitude

Mindprint Learning
Students take online assessments to measure their strengths and challenges. Use Mindprint's advice to discuss the results with each student, showing them what strengths they can be grateful for, and then make a plan to build on them.

The Harry Potter Alliance
By starting HPA chapters, students work with supportive, empowering communities to do good work. Kids learn to appreciate each other as well as their own talents and voice, using them to take action on social issues such as equality.

Skittles Gratitude Game-Have students choose a color and name what they are grateful for based on their color choice.

Family Connections

Family Scavenger Hunt

Parenting Cue Cards

Do you ever struggle with what to do in tough parenting situations? The Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence has some helpful hints.

SEL resources during distance learning

Parent Resources-SEL

SEL Starts at Home

Resources to bring SEL into your home and community.https://casel.org/in-the-home/

Educator Resources-SEL

Distance Learning

Free Resources to Support E-learning: Members of the SEL Provider Council have curated their resources and curriculum. Please note that these have not been evaluated by CASEL through our program review process.

Greater Good in Education: Supporting Learning and Well-Being During the Coronavirus Crisis

This resource provides practices for families and educators to support learning and well-being for young people in kindergarten through college

Education Week: Video: 7 Tips for Remote Teaching

Larry Ferlazzo, a high school teacher in Sacramento City Unified School District, summarizes recommendations that he and other teachers made during an 11 part blog series on distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic for Education Week

Teaching Tolerance: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Teaching Through Coronavirus

Experts at the National Child Traumatic Stress Network respond to questions about trauma-informed practices to support students during school closure and distance learning

WestEd: Strategies for Trauma-Informed Distance Learning

Introduction to the concept of trauma-informed practice and why it is especially crucial during distance learning. This research-based brief provides actionable strategies for applying a trauma-informed lens during school closures

Education Week: How to Teach Social-Emotional Learning When Students Aren’t in School

EdWeek speaks with SEL experts about specific strategies to help student maintain social connections, manage stress, and build supportive environments through distance learning

The COVID-19 Education Coalition: Learning Keeps Going

A coalition of education organizations has curated this collection of best practices, free tech, ideas for parents, and webinars & podcasts to support distance learning

Facing History and Ourselves: Taking School Online with a Student-Centered Approach

A packet of resources to help teachers sustain community, support students, and create engaging, meaningful learning experiences

American Federation of Teachers: COVID-19 School Closures: Distance Learning Tips

Concise tip sheet for teachers to prepare for distance learning, from planning and pacing to supporting students as they adjust and staying flexible

Facebook: Digital Citizenship and Wellbeing Pillars

Resources for educators, parents, and youth for engaging in conversations and reflection about the complexity of citizenship and wellbeing in digital spaces. Includes lesson plans, activities, and additional tools for discussing this during COVID

Search Institute

: Building Developmental Relationships During the COVID Crisis

Practical strategies for teachers to build developmentally appropriate relationships with their students during COVID

Edsurge: How Can Educators Tap Into Research to Increase Engagement During Remote Learning?

Uses the Adolescent Community of Engagement Framework to give practical strategies for creating genuinely engaging learning experiences for students during distance learning

Buck Institute for Education: Project Based Learning for Remote Learning

This webpage provides project ideas, recommended technology, and best practices for facilitating project-based learning (PBL) remotely

Self Care

Self-Care Strategies

-5 Tips to Staying Mentally Healthy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RJqgHalbXs

-Self- Care for Kids: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X55radTB-M

West Ed: Self-Care Strategies for Educators During the Coronavirus Crisis: Supporting Personal Social and Emotional Well-Being

This brief offers practical information and guidance on self-care for educators, recognizing the stresses of the coronavirus pandemic and resulting school closing on educators, building on a growing research base about self-care

ASCD: 5 Strategies for Teacher Self-Care

These strategies are applicable at any time but especially when managing home and family responsibilities while also planning and delivering learning virtually

National Alliance on Mental Illness: COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide

NAMI’s guide to addressing health concerns and other challenges that are causing anxiety during the COVID-19 outbreak, organized in the format of most frequently asked questions

American Psychological Association: Building Your Resilience

Specific ways to build resilience in times of stress through building connections, fostering wellness, finding purpose, embracing healthy thoughts, and seeking help

EdSurge: Teachers Are Anxious and Overwhelmed. They Need SEL Now More Than Ever

This article posits SEL as central to supporting educator wellness and self-care during COVID-19, offering data on anxiety and burnout, demonstrating connections to the core SEL competencies, and sharing concrete strategies for prioritizing educator self-care

Calming Room

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Virtual Kayak-https://youtu.be/IvvGbKwqXWg

https://youtu.be/IvvGbKwqXWg

Take a virtual kayak trip and listen to the sounds of water and nature.

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Be Kind to Yourself-https://youtu.be/AyQdeYjXUhE

Be Kind to Yourself

https://youtu.be/AyQdeYjXUhE

This meditation is good for kids and adults and can be done from a chair. May I be Happy-- May I be Healthy-- May I be Safe-- May My Life Be Filled With Joy.