School Counseling Corner
Self-Care
Research shows that neglecting our own self-care can negatively impact our mood and mental health. Luckily, we can combat this by making sure that our bodies and minds are getting their needs met. Below is a list of tips from various health organizations to help support your social-emotional well-being.
Journal your thoughts and feelings
Draw/make art
No paper at home? Try this website: https://pbskids.org/scribblesandink/draw
Exercise
Take deep breaths! Use Mindyeti.com (practice deep breathing and calming strategies!)
Get a full night of sleep (no electronics, quiet and slow evening, turn in early)
Call or video chat with kind, supportive friends or family members
Soak up some sunlight (if you can’t go outside, open some windows!)
Think of things that are going well
Pick up a good book
Start a small creative project
Play board games with your family
Eat dinner at home by candlelight
Plan an event in the future (something you can look forward to!)
Start making a list of everything you're thankful for right now
Send a kind note or message to someone
Eat plenty of fruit and veggies (and limit sugar and processed foods)
Drink lots of water!
Limit how much you listen or read about the stressful events
Some information on the internet isn't true. Look for information from reliable sources.
Look for sources telling stories of hope and kind acts of humanity.
Do things that make you happy!
Listen to music
Email your counselor if you need anything!
Mrs. Barton - bbarton@kcia.us
Ms. Danner - ldanner@kcia.us
Mrs. Verkler - sverkler@kcia.us
*Look below for Community Resources!
We're in this together.
How can technology help?
Feeling stressed? Below is a list of websites and apps that are geared toward helping us feel better when we are anxious, worried, or stressed. Remember, deep breaths help take your brain back out of the "survival state" and into the "executive state," which is where we make good decisions!
The Breathing App (free)
Breathing Bubbles (free)
Breathe, Think, Do Sesame (free; ages 2-5)
DreamyKid (free; ages 5 and up)
Emotionary (free)
Headspace (free)
MindYeti.com (free)
Relax Melodies (free)
Stop, Breathe, and Think Kids (free)
Smiling Mind (free; ages 7-18)
Super Stretch Yoga (free)
Calm (free trial)
Positive Penguins ($0.99)
Kids Yoga Deck ($1.99)
Take a Chill ($1.99)
Calm Counter ($2.99)
Chill Outz ($4.99)
*Look below for Community Resources!
We've got this.
Online Social Emotional Resources
Below is a list of websites that can help you in continuing your journey as a social-emotional learner. Email Ms. Danner (ldanner@kcia.us) if you have trouble using any of them. Enjoy!
Student-Parent Packet:
Interactive Stories with Arthur:
Daniel Tiger--Guess the Feeling (TK-1st grade):
Howard B. Wigglebottom (TK and up):
Rude vs. Mean vs. Bullying (2nd-5th Grade):
Powerpoint: Rude Mean Bully 3_5 grade.pptx
Pre-/Post Test: (try page 1 on your own; then check your answers on page 2): Is it Rude, Mean , Bullying Pre/Post Test
Resiliency:
Videos:
School Counseling YouTube Video Guide (Many topics!)
Remember, you're not alone.
Community Resources
*Please call ahead to local agencies. Covid-19 may be affecting agency hours and availability.
Cornerstones of Care - Hyde Park
300 E. 36th Strett, Kansas City, MO 64111
(844) 824-8200
https://cornerstonesofcare.org
Crittenton Children’s Center
10918 Elm Ave, Kansas City, MO 64134
816-767-4206
Language Assistance Services available, free of charge
Kansas City CARE Clinic
3515 Broadway, Kansas City, MO - 64111
816-753-5144
Marillac
8000 W. 127th Street, Overland Park, KS 66213
913-951-7008
Mental Health America of the Heartland
Phone Number: 913-281-2221
MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault)
816-931-4527
(Offices closed until May 15th; counseling and advocacy services being offered virtually; 24/7 crisis line listed below)
Rediscover Mental Health Services
Phone Number: 816-966-0900
Research Psychiatric Center
Rediscover Mental Health Services
2323 E. 63rd Street, Kansas City, MO 64130
816-235-8162
12 or older
Samuel Rodgers Health Center; Cabot Westside Medical Campus
2121 Summit Street, Kansas City, MO 64108
816-889-4610
By appointment
Samuel Rodgers Health Center; Downtown Campus
825 Euclid Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64124
816-474-4920
By appointment; Monday-Tuesday, 8-5 p.m; Wednesday 7 a.m.-12 p.m; Thursday-Friday 8-5 p.m.
Swope Health Services
3801 Blue Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64130
816-923-5800; Behavioral Health: 816-922-1070
Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Behavioral Health Service Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30-6:30 p.m; Friday 8:30-5:30 p.m.
Tri-County Mental Health Services
Phone Number: 816-468-0400
Truman Behavioral Health
300 West 19th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64108
816-404-5700 or 816-404-5709
Mondays-Fridays, 8-5 p.m; Walk-ins from 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Services offered in English & Spanish
Hotlines
Crisis Lines
1-800-811-4760
1-800-833-3915
741-741 (text "mosafe")
MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault)
816-531-0233
913-642-0233
(open 24/7)
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) (open 24/7, free, confidential, and available in more than 200 languages)
Online chat: click here
National Sexual Assault Hotline
Online chat: click here
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
1-800-273-8255 or text "HOME" to 741741 (open 24 hours a day; 7 days a week)
Online chat options in English, Spanish: click here
Show-Me Hope Missouri (Disaster Distress Helpline)
1-800-985-5990; English & Spanish
Free & confidential crisis counselors; Covid-19 and disaster resources
The Trevor Project
thetrevorproject.org (24/7 suicide crisis line, confidential, serving LGBTQ youth)
TrevorLifeLine: 1-866-488-7386
TrevorText: Text "START" to 678678
Local Hotlines & Emergency Shelters:
Hope House Domestic Violence Hotline & Shelter
816-468-5463 (language interpreters available)
Newhouse Domestic Violence Hotline & Emergency Shelter
816-471-5800 (24/7 crisis line)
Rose Brooks Domestic Violence Hotline & Shelter
816-861-6100 (24/7 crisis line, language interpreters available)
We are a community. We are a family. We are in this together.
Character Education
Every quarter, each elementary class celebrates 4 students that are demonstrating chosen character traits. Look below to see what you can be nominated for!
Empathy
Perseverance
Responsibility
Teamwork
What are we learning in our counselor lessons?
In counseling lessons, a big thing we learn about is self-regulation. Self-regulation means having control over our own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Practicing this type of control is beneficial because it teaches us how to manage our "big feelings" and impulses. For example, students learn to recognize when they feel angry and take healthy steps to manage their anger, rather than letting it build up or act without thinking of the consequences. Instead of yelling or fighting when they get upset, students may practice taking deep breaths, walking away, and finding a healthy way to calm him/herself down. When we act impulsively, we often end up making the problem worse, instead of better. Self-regulation is a tool students can practice at home as well as school! Check out our list of ideas below!Easy ways to practice self-regulation at home or school:
Deep breaths (even when you're calm, but especially when you're not!)
Regular exercise
Positive thinking
Drinking water
Tightening and relaxing muscles
Positive affirmations
Imagining a peaceful or relaxing place
Journaling or talking to someone you trust
Art-making (even coloring sheets are shown to reduce stress levels!)
High School Application Deadlines
Choosing the right school for you and your family is important! Check out this site to research more about local high schools, and help you make the right choice:
https://showmekcschools.org/k-12-search-tools/school-guide-kc-pdf/
Mark your calendars! Here are important application deadlines for local high schools:
DECEMBER
African Centered Prep (ACE) - opens December 1 (first come, first served basis)
Lincoln College Prep - opens December 1 (first come, first served basis) (*entrance test required*)
Paseo Academy of Fine Arts - opens December (first come, first served basis) (*audition required*)
JANUARY
University Academy - January 19
FEBRUARY
Allen Village High School - February 15 (first come, first served basis)
Cristo Rey - February 16
MARCH
Crossroads - March 1
Hogan Prep - March 1
Frontier - March 15
Frontier STEM - March 15
Guadalupe Centers (Alta Vista) - March 16
ROLLING ADMISSIONS (applications accepted at any time):
DeLaSalle Alternative Charter High School
Kansas City Public High Schools (Central, Northeast, East, Southeast)
Who are our KCIA school counselors? What do they do?
Check out the links to our pages!
Mrs. Verkler - Middle School Counselor
Ms. Danner - Elementary School Counselor