Counselor’s Corner, October 2026
Welcome to October! With a month of school under our belts, students are settling into the routines and rhythms of the year. October also brings progress reports and conferences—a wonderful opportunity to pause, reflect on how the year has started, and celebrate your child’s growth.
Here are a few ways to make the most of this opportunity:
- Check in with your child before the conference. Take some time to ask your child what they think is going well and what feels challenging. You might ask, “What are you most proud of so far this year?” or “Is there anything that feels hard right now?” Starting with your child’s perspective can help you better understand their experience and identify topics you may want to discuss with their teacher.
- Talk about strengths. Children often focus more easily on what they are struggling with than on what they are doing well. Help your child identify the skills, subjects, relationships, or routines they feel proud of. Recognizing their strengths can also help them think about how those strengths might support areas that feel more challenging.
- Identify a goal. Conferences can sometimes leave families with lots of information about areas for growth. Rather than focusing on everything at once, help your child identify one or two specific, manageable goals for the coming months. A good goal should feel meaningful and achievable, with a clear next step.
- Ask how you can support your child. Once you and your child’s teacher have identified an area for growth, ask what would be helpful. This might include a strategy to practice at home, a routine to try, or simply a reminder that the adults at home and school are working together to support your child.
Ms. Shaw is also available to meet with families during conference time. Since there is no school during conferences, Ms. Shaw has additional openings in her schedule. If you would like to connect, please feel free to email her at cshaw@st-johnschool.org to schedule a meeting. She is always happy to partner with families around social-emotional, friendship, behavioral, or other concerns throughout the school year.
October Resources
- St. John Parenting Book Lending Library: Thank you to the families who have generously donated to our parenting book lending library; we now have over 70 books! If you have parenting books you no longer need at home, feel free to donate them through the front office. Looking for a book? Stop by the counseling office to browse our collection or email me to see if we have a specific title.
- Parent Talks: This year’s Parent Map ParentEd Talks lineup looks great, and St. John families can attend for free! Learn more and register here.
- Mental Health Resource: Care Solace is a free and confidential care coordination service available to all St. John families. It helps families quickly find treatment options based on their needs. Call 888-515-0595 or visit their website. You are also welcome to contact Ms. Shaw directly, and she can submit a referral on your behalf.
