Hello Parents!
Many of us in our community are navigating very challenging times right now and as the Counselors at Kent Middle School, we want you to know that we are here for you. We created this hub so you can easily access resources. As we come across new and relevant materials, articles, videos and resources, we will continue posting them here for you. Please feel free to reach out to us via email if you have questions, need advice or consultation - or simply just want to have a conversation about how you and/or your children are doing. We are happy to set up a telephone or zoom appointment.
Get in Touch
Corey Shaw
School Counselor-5th/6th grade
cshaw@kentfieldschools.org
Diana Bokaie
School Counselor-5th/6th grade
dbokaie@kentfieldschools.org
Heidi Longo
School Counselor-7th/8th grade
hlongo@kentfieldschools.org
Emergency Services
Here are resources for emergency services you might need.
Emergency Food Services
Parent & Youth Helpline: In partnership with Governor Newsom, Parents Anonymous® Inc. recently launched the California Parent & Youth Helpline and Online Parents Anonymous® Support Groups in response to the Coronavirus to provide free trauma-informed, evidenced-based emotional support to Parents, Children and Youth in any language via calls, text, live chat and email.
The California Parents & Youth Helpline operates 7 days a week from 8:00 AM-8:00 PM. Parents can join a weekly online support group NOW through the website: caparentyouthhelpline.org. In this confidential setting, parents address their underlying emotions and build resiliency to strengthen their family.
Parenting Workshops
Looking for more in depth parenting support? Here are some available local parenting workshops.
Raising Healthy Families: Free informative education series that examine important issues facing today's families. Presentations by noted Bay Area experts will offer tools and strategies to empower you to help raise children who are curious, compassionate and resilient.
Distance Learning Support
No one expects parents to be full-time teachers or to be educational and content matter experts. Here are some resources to help you support your child while distance learning.
Parenting During Difficult Times
Here are some resources to help support you through hard days and difficult times.
Healthy communication tips: A great resource for building communication with your kids
Resources for children with depression
Resources for children with eating disorders
Wellness Practices for the Family
Here are tips and resources for families on how to help children develop emotional wellness and life skills.
Mindfulness
5 Minute Mindfulness: Meditation with Jackie Stewart
An Introduction to Anchor Breathing: A quick video for students to learn about how easy it is to learn how to breathe and hit the re-set button. Anchor Breathing is the foundation of a learning how to practice meditation.
Stress Reduction Apps
Calm: a simple mindfulness meditation app that will bring you more clarity, joy and peace of mind. (link for calm website)
7 Second Meditation: this app helps you relax, focus, and de-stress every day with reminders to take a pause from thinking and just be present.
Stop, Breathe, & Think: mindfulness, meditation, and compassion building tool that is simple and fun to use. (link is for IOS)
Stress Reducing Game Apps (links are for IOS)
Kaleidoscope Drawing Pad: If you find doodling and drawing relaxing, this game feels kind of magical. Pick colors and styles, then just touch the screen to make your very own kaleidoscopic drawing.
AntiStress Anxiety Relief Game: This is a pack of free anti-stress games including many fun games such as bubble popper, bubble wrap, and fidget spinner.
TanZen Free: Find your Zen with this fun and relaxing puzzle game.
Be Informed Apps
MY3: Make a plan including your coping strategies, people who are there for you, and ways you can help yourself when feeling upset or suicidal. (link is for IOS)
Bark: Created in collaboration with child psychologists, youth advisors, digital media experts, and law enforcement professionals, Bark delivers a research-backed, kid-friendly solution for safeguarding families as technology changes how and where we communicate.
Kids and Technology
Media and technology are at the center of kids' lives every day. From a very young age, kids use technology at home and at school to connect with friends and family and to document their lives and create digital content of their own. With more and more of life happening online, what catches kids' attention isn't always what's best for them, and what companies do with their personal information isn't always clear.
Common Sense Media: Since 2003, Common Sense has been the leading source of entertainment and technology recommendations for families and schools. Every day, millions of parents and educators trust Common Sense reviews and advice to help them navigate the digital world with their kids. Together with policymakers, industry leaders, and global media partners, we're building a digital world that works better for all kids, their families, and their communities. SUGGESTION: Click on the link below and go to the "Parents Need to Know" Tab at top of the page
Be Informed Apps
MY3: Make a plan including your coping strategies, people who are there for you, and ways you can help yourself when feeling upset or suicidal. (link is for IOS)
Bark: Created in collaboration with child psychologists, youth advisors, digital media experts, and law enforcement professionals, Bark delivers a research-backed, kid-friendly solution for safeguarding families as technology changes how and where we communicate.
Specialized Support
We have created
More Specialized Resources from our website: Resources including talking to your children about COVID-19, sleep problems, suicidal thoughts, anger management and more.
