Concord Counseling Updates

We finished 2014 by collecting  many items for families in our community. Our adopt a family service project supplied food, paper products, cleaning supplies, personal items along with clothes and gifts.  This feat was truly a team effort. Our team included our PTG parents, kids, Boy Scout troops and the Rotary Club. Thank you for helping us set an example for our children by sharing and spreading kindness to those in need at this time.

This month we are discussing individual feeling and practicing  ways to cope with our emotions. Sometimes having quiet time to mull over our personal thoughts help us to sort out our feelings so we can understand ourselves better and be able to communicate more effectively with others. Practice quiet time often... What are you thankful for... Find five shades of one color in the room... Imagine a fun family memory or create a fun safe space you would like to visit...

Red Ribbon Week Concord Elementary Monday, October 27 st Thru  Thursday, October 30 th Take the Challenge and live drug free!!! Monday – Strike Out Drugs (Dress like a baseball player) Tuesday – Put Drugs to Bed (Wear your PJs!) Wednesday – Stomp out drugs (Wear cowboy boots or any boots!) Thursday – Chasing Drugs Out of My Life! (Come in Running Gear for Pumpkin Run!)

We are reminding our children of some basic safety tips during the month of October. Call 911 when you need a Community Helper (fire, badly injured) Stranger Danger - Don't be Tricked Look both ways before Crossing the Street Wear your Seat-belt Wear your Bike Helmet or Sports Gear Tie your Shoes Stay Calm in an Emergency - Go to the Nearest Trusted Adult Walk with a Buddy Know your Names and Parents Phone Numbers Know your Home-Alone Tips Know your Safe Neighbors and Trusted Adults

*Square Up - turn your body to face your speaker *Eye Contact - stop what you are doing and look up *Listen with your Ears - mouth closed.  Let them finish their thoughts *Show Understanding - mirror emotion *Comments or Questions to show you heard what they were saying If you notice your attention is divided (sounds, other thoughts or lists of things to do) allow yourself to put those thoughts on hold and focus on the speaker and really hear what they are saying. Listening takes a good deal of energy.  When we actively listen people feel validated and heard.

 How to visit with my school counselor...   Sign your name &       your teacher’s  name  on the  blue note pad  by our door.                    Where can you see your School Counselor?  « Your classroom  « On the playground  « In the halls  « In the lunch room  « Before or after school  « In our office - Room 4…

Our children watch what we do and hear our actions louder than our words.  Let's remember to teach then the value of visiting our quiet spot to reflect, ponder, dream and breathe.

This week we will have our first meeting with our Concord Leader Council.  Our hope is to encourage and give opportunity to our students to practice being a leader in our school community. We want the students to understand the value of rotation in a leadership role and the manner in which others can help, encourage and support one another to reach a group goal.

Welcome to the 2014-2015 Concord School Year! We are taking time to reacquaint with each other and taking time to get to know new students as well! Thank you for coming to our ice cream social last week.  It was an amazing turn out.  We hope to see you often throughout the year as your child grows with us.  You will have lots of opportunities to be a part of your child's school day. Please know we welcome your visits for lunch, parties, parent conferences, celebrations such as Bingo Night... the list goes on!                   Here's to a great school year!

Derek Redmond's Incredible Olympic Story - Injury Mid-Race | Barcelona 1... Perseverance is the word that comes to my mind as I watch this video.  We train, learn, prepare, plan then -life happens.  Sometimes when things happen in life there is no fault or punishment to be determined. We are simply asked to stay the course and finish what we have already started with the help of our family and friends.  May we continue to help each other even when we are tired, sore, hurt and disappointed.

Derek Redmond's Incredible Olympic Story - Injury Mid-Race | Barcelona 1...

The three roles in every bully-like situation include: The aggressor (group or individual displaying the bullying-like behavior), the target (group or individual receiving the bully-like behavior), and the witnesses (individuals who witness the bullying situation). The witnesses have the most power to diffuse every bully-like situation.  In a typical bully-like situation, the witnesses make up 70%,  aggressor 15%, and target 15% of the population involved in every bullying situation. It is important to note that the target has power to keep themselves safe.  Our goal is to help the students recognize bully-like behavior and to help themselves and others as necessary. The five types of bullying include: Verbal bullying, Emotional bullying, Gender Bullying, Physical bullying, and Cyber bullying. Concord's Action Plan: 1. Include the target in your activities and invite them to safety. 2. Distract the aggressor and the target 3. Walk away. Do not be an audience. 4. Rep

You have access to locally funded counseling services that in turn require no money out of pocket for you to participate. The following services are funded through the St. Louis County Children's Service Fund . Family Support Network :  918-3362 Family Solutions :  504-1935 Family Resources :  534-9350 Youth Connection Helpline: your child, teen or family can call Youth in Need  - 24/7 for a crisis...   call - 314-628-2929   text - 4HLP to 31658.  They also help with longer term needs. These four services can come to your home or a safe place to help you assess your family needs and begin appropriate counseling services.

We have a guest speaker from the Jewish Family Children's Service   reinforcing safe online behavior 3-5 grade this counseling cycle.  Please review your child's packet for more details...   *We teach others how to treat us with our online behavior.  "Treat Others the Way You Want to be Treated!" *Your school and home behavior should match your online behavior. Ask yourself, "Could I share my (post or picture) with grandma?" *The internet is not the place to meet people.  You should have already met the person eye to eye before you speak to them. *What does cyber-bullying look like online? *Stop - Block - Report!  - Tell an adult you trust if something unsafe is happening online. *What you type and post at age ten will still be in cyber space when you are 18 years old.