Proud Panda Program

How Counselors Support Your Child at School

• Assist all students with transitioning into their new classrooms. 

• Classroom SEL lessons help build a cohesive community.  Some topics are: Yoga & Mindfulness, Conflict Resolution, Identifying & Expressing Feelings, Respect, Honesty, Perseverance, etc.

• Helping students stay engaged and happy during lunch and recess.

• Host "Lunch Bunches" throughout the year where students are invited to eat their lunch, chat and play to develop and maintain friendships. 

• Individual & Small Group Counseling

• Social & Emotional Support: We are an “extra friend” for every child

• Conflict Mediation & Peer Relationship Building

• Collaborate with Teachers & Parents

• School/Statewide Initiatives and Monthly Spirit Assemblies: Red Ribbon Week, Week of Respect, P.R.O.U.D. Panda Assemblies, etc.

• Leadership Committees: The Helping Hands Committee at CRS

Tips To Support Your Child’s Social-Emotional Wellbeing at Home

Be Positive:  Reinforce the message that school is a fun place to be.  Laugh at yourself and reinforce the message that everyone makes mistakes.

Routine Routine Routine!  School-year routines, doing homework and having a consistent bedtime will always help your child feel confident and alert.  Below are some examples:

• Morning checklist behind plastic with a dry-erase marker (Brush Teeth, Get Dressed, Breakfast, etc).  

• After homework is complete, have a 5 minute check-in to see how it went and that it goes in your child's backpack.

• Backpack kept in the same location.

• Consistent bedtime (children need between 9-13 hours of sleep each day depending on their age).

Be on Time For School: This helps your child feel organized, ready and energetic!

Reach out to other parents: Schedule play dates, as your schedule allows of course

Talk With Your Child to Practice Social Skills:

• At dinner or before bed do a round of “Highs & Lows” of your day or week

• Identify Feelings: “That person looks sad.”  “I feel happy.”  “What is making you feel __ right now?”

• Express Feelings: “I feel ____ because _____.  I wish _____.”

• Practice eye-contact while speaking with each other.

After-School Activities: Have your child join an after-school club or a sports team.  

If there are homework or academic concerns, reach out to your child’s teacher.

Collaborate with teachers and school staff if you have any personal or familial concerns that may affect your child.

Play board/card games together! 

Ways to Ask Your Kids, “How was school today?” without Asking Them, “How was school today?”

• What was the best thing that happened at school today?  

• What was your "High, Low, Buffalo" of the day? (High = best part, Low = worst part, Buffalo = something interesting, funny, random)

• Tell me something that made you laugh today.

• Where is the coolest place in the school?

• Tell me an interesting word that you heard today.  

• If I called your teacher tonight, what would she tell me about you?

• How did you help somebody today?

• How did somebody help you today?

• Tell me one thing that you learned today.

• Who would you like to play with at recess that you’ve never played with before?

• What do you want to do/learn more of at school?

• Is there anyone in your class that you feel you could be nicer to?

• Where do you play the most at recess?

• Who is the funniest person in your class?  Why is he/she so funny?

• What was your favorite part of lunch?

• If you got to be the teacher tomorrow what would you do?

• Tell me about three different times you used your pencil today at school.