Concord Counseling Updates

  Below are some tips from the America Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry which may be helpful in light of recent events. Please let the counselors know of any students or parents needing assistance. This may be helpful with your own children as well. Once again, parents and teachers are faced with the challenge of discussing a tragic incident of community violence with children. Although these may be difficult conversations, they are also important. There are no "right" or "wrong" ways to talk with children about such traumatic events. However, here are some suggestions that may be helpful: Create an open and supportive environment where children know they can ask questions. At the same time, it's best not to force children to talk about things unless and until they're ready. Give children honest answers and information. Children will usually know, or eventually find out, if you're "making things up." It

Our counseling focus for this month is practicing random acts of kindness in our school community.  We have viewed a short kindness clip to see how acts of kindness can cause a ripple effect.  As we processed the acts of kindness in the video clip one student made the comment, "You get back what you give out."  Our students are recognized on Flyervision each morning for practicing random acts of kindness. We then post their picture on our "Grand Slam Wall" to help recognize and encourage this skill throughout our school. Thank you for setting such a wonderful example for our children.  Our recent Adopt A Family was a great success of expressing acts of kindness for our community. We are also practicing our I Statements in class.  I statements help us formulate our thoughts to express ourselves in a clear manner.  We same the person's name, state what we like or do not like, tell how we feel and suggest a solution to the situation.  As we role play I stat