Counselor's Corner
May is Mental Health Awareness Month!!
May 2021 May is Mental Health Awareness Month! As the Counselor at Farmin Stidwell, I am always talking about Mental Health with the students even when they don’t realize it! Calming down, having positive relationships, asking for help when we need it and being successful at problem solving are all ways that we can take care of our Mental Health. Unfortunately, talking about problems we may be having with our Mental Health still carries a high stigma in our society. During Mental Health Awareness Month, we are aiming at breaking that stigma and understanding that talking about our Mental Health is as normal as talking about our Physical Health. I have been a clinical counselor for over 15 years and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, so I take Mental Health very seriously - after all, we all have Mental Health! Just like we eat healthy and take our vitamins, it is important that we regularly do things to maintain our positive Mental Health. Just like we ice and elevate a sprained ankle, we need to give our brains breaks at times to help them rest and heal. Check your child's take home folder this month for activities to do as a family to take care of our Mental Health! Ellen Wassif, LCSW School Counselor |
From the Desk of Mrs. Kleiber-October Update
October 1, 2018 Dear Family, During our Second Step program in the month of October we will be discussing Bullying. The students will learn the 3 R’s.
The definition of bullying we use a Farmin-Stidwell is: Bullying is when someone is mean, on purpose, over and over and I've tried to get it to stop. We will also discuss words such as rude, mean, face- to -face bullying and behind your back bullying. In grades K-3, we help students understand the difference between tattling and reporting bullying. Our K-3 students we describe bullying as someone who hurts you physically, hurt your belongings or hurts your feelings. Students in grades 4-6 we will to what has been taught in previous grade levels by talking about people who purposely exclude, gossip, and get others to do the bullying for them. In all of our classes be practice through the use of video and role play. If you have concerns about bullying feel free to contact me at any time. Merilee Kleiber merilee.kleiber@lposd.org |
Back To School Jitters!
I remember when my child was ready to back to school. I often reflect whether it was her anxiety or mine. I know now that my anxiety probably spilled over on to her. Throughout her school years I learned to be calm, cool, and collected with back to school jitters. I also learned to listen to her concerns, to let her take freely about them and I never said, "You shouldn't worry." or "There's nothing to worry about.". Back to school jitters is normal for everyone. Here is how you can help. If you child was in our school or any elementary school in the district they were taught a social/emotional curriculum called Second Step. In Second Step we teach students about how to calm down. You can say to your child, "Do you remember the calm down steps?" If they were in our school district they know what they are. You can help guide your child to calm down by using these simple steps:
-Merilee Kleiber, Counselor  |
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