Counselor’s Corner, December 2022

Dear St. John Families,

As we head into the second trimester of the year, I’m excited to begin my second round of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) groups. SEL groups are a key support I offer for students in Kindergarten through fifth grade. The groups focus on a variety of SEL skills, including emotional regulation, coping skills, friendship, and conflict resolution skills. Groups are formed with 4-6 same-grade peers and meet weekly for 30 minutes during the school day for ten weeks.

Fill out this online form if you would like your child to participate in a group. The sign-up deadline is Monday, January 9. Please note that while I cannot guarantee a space for every student who is referred to my groups, I make every effort to get each student into a group rotation at some point during the school year.

It is a privilege and joy to be your child’s school counselor! If you have any concerns about our child’s social or emotional well-being, feel free to email me at cshaw@st-johnschool.org. I’m available to speak with families and meet with students throughout the week.

Warmest wishes,

Ms. Shaw

December Resources

  • Check out these family conversation starters from Character Strong! These are great for sparking rich conversation; try them out during dinner, on a family walk or drive, or on a relaxing winter break day.
  • This year as a faculty we’ve been starting our staff meetings with a brief mindfulness activity. Mindfulness has been shown to have numerous benefits, including increased emotional regulation and academic performance. Many teachers are integrating mindfulness practice in their classrooms. Here are some ways you can practice mindfulness at home! And additional mindfulness resources can be found on my website here.
  • Anxiety disorders are on the rise and are one of the top mental health disorders diagnosed in childhood. If you’re unsure how to respond to your anxious child, check out these simple and helpful phrases and try to avoid using these. If anxiety is severely interfering with your child’s daily life, it’s important to seek help. Feel free to email me for resources or speak with your child’s pediatrician.