Embedded Files
VPA Info
VPA Info
Click here to refer a student for counseling services
What is McKinney-Vento?
Bullying Information
Bullying Information
All staff should be familiar with the definition of bullying as defined by the Arkansas Department of Education (excellent infographic) and Marion School District.
Staff should know the protocol for responding to bullying: First, you should be able to recognize the difference between mean, rude and bullying behaviors and be able to explain to students. Then, if the incident falls in the parameters of bullying, please fill out this form and give it to an administrator so that he/she can investigate. Students may also use MSD’s anonymous reporting system (MSD Student Protect App) to report bullying.
After the incident is reported, administrators and teachers will refer the bully, victim and bystander, as needed, to the school counselor.
Staff Wellness
Staff Wellness
All MSD employees, spouses and dependents: How to get help for mental health (available for all employees, whether you have school insurance or not). Benefits are available to all staff, spouses, and their dependents at no charge (no deductible). EAP is designed to provide short-term counseling services, work-life support, and legal and financial guidance to help you and your family handle concerns constructively before they become major issues. Up to 3 EAP sessions are available to ALL employees and their dependents, including those who do not have insurance with the school district. Examples of the major life issues for which you may receive support from an EAP professional include:
Depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders
Relationship or family problems, including divorce and abuse
Substance abuse (e.g., drugs, alcohol) and other addiction problems
Job-related stress or anxiety
Financial and legal challenges
School Employee Support Group - UAMS Health AR ConnectNow has launched a virtual support group for school employees throughout the state of Arkansas. This support group was created to provide care and comfort for teachers, administrators and support staff at any of the state’s schools. AR ConnectNow’s therapists have extensive training in assisting school employees with a variety of concerns related to their field of work. The group meets Tuesdays at 4 p.m. Those interested in taking part in this online group — with participants accepted on a first-come, first-served basis — are invited to submit their contact information in the fields below. A representative from AR ConnectNow will contact you about how to join the group online. The registration process is confidential, participants may leave their cameras off and alter their name during the meeting.
UAMS Health AR ConnectNow is a comprehensive behavioral health treatment program created to provide care to all Arkansans dealing with a variety of mental health issues, from substance abuse disorders to mental illnesses ranging from anxiety and depression to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
Social Emotional Learning for the classroom
Social Emotional Learning for the classroom
The following items are available for FREE on Teachers Pay Teachers:
Resources for conflict resolution, cyber safety, self-esteem, growth mindset, bullying prevention, determination, cooperation, friendship, kindness, empathy, anxiety/ stress, feelings, self-control, and following directions.
Tips for Making and Keeping Friends Poster
50 WAYS TO BUILD SELF-ESTEEM FREE POSTER
When I Make A Mistake - Growth Mindset Poster
What if Everybody Did That (making good choices)
Respect Activity - Do Unto Otters (Read aloud can be found on You Tube)
Free Social Emotional Learning Check-In Journal
Daily Focus Behavior Chart {A Classroom Management tool}
Empathy - What does it look like, sound like, feel like?
The Things I Can Control and Can't Control
Getting Along With Others | Social Skills | Character Education | Friendship
Being a Good Friend Social Story and Choices Sort {PRINT OR DIGITAL}
Spot of Anger (Mrs. Sutton has the book)
Other Helpful Info
Other Helpful Info
5-Minute Chats with Parents and Caregivers - a script
Changing Classroom Behavior by Polly Bath
Strategy to connect with a hard-to-connect-to student
Strategy to build relationships with a whole class
Strategy to give students time to check in ("temperature check")
Another resource for immediate mental health issues - anything from a panic attack to more serious mental health issues
Read Across America with celebrities
How Teachers Can Support Grieving Students
Grief at School: A Guide for School Personnel
National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement
Feelings Reflection for Students
Educator Self-Care Menu (scroll to the bottom)
Social/Emotional Behavior Interventions that might work for you and your students
Check out this TED Talk - by Rita Pierson, a teacher for 40 years presents "a rousing call to educators to believe in their students and actually connect with them on a real, human, personal level."
And...another TED Talk (because it's soooo good!) - Be somebody's "lollipop moment"
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
Arkansas Department of Health Suicide Prevention
Functional Behavior Assessment Forms
Trauma Informed Care for Educators (Training) - part 1, part 2
The Ability to Regulate Your Emotions is Quickly Becoming The Premier Skill of The 21st Century
How to connect with a "hard to connect to" student
SIMPLE strategy to improve classroom management
Some of my Favorite Ted Talks for School Counselors (Taken from The Counseling Teacher Brandy: https://thecounselingteacher.com/2021/05/10-of-the-best-ted-talks-school-counselors-must-see.html)
Some of my Favorite Ted Talks for School Counselors (Taken from The Counseling Teacher Brandy: https://thecounselingteacher.com/2021/05/10-of-the-best-ted-talks-school-counselors-must-see.html)
How Social-Emotional Learning Benefits Everyone (a great PD for staff about SEL)
Make Stress Your Friend (Your attitude about stress is more harmful than the actual stress. Stress can be helpful!)
Every Kid Needs a Champion (a classic – very motivational)
How to quickly check in with your students (or yourself!) at the beginning and end of the week:
Self Care for Educators: “You can’t pour from an empty cup”
Self Care for Educators: “You can’t pour from an empty cup”
Podcasts (you can find these on Apple or Spotify)
American Meditating Radio Show: shows about how to master life’s challenges
Therapy for Black Girls: all things mental health, professional development, & small decisions by psychologist Joy Harden Bradford, Ph.D.
Mental Illness Happy Hour: discusses mental & emotional trauma; several episodes focus on coping with the pandemic
The Happiness Lab: led by a Yale professor who studies happiness, this podcast will change how you think about happiness
The Hilarious World of Depression: real conversations with comedians who have experienced depression
Unlocking Us with Brene Brown: conversations around what it means to be human
Headspace Radio: brief episodes to help you clear your head & reflect
Terrible, Thanks for Asking: explores emotions, trauma, loss, mental health, & more in a comedic style
Nothing Much Happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep
Instagram: Follow me on Instagram and see the self-care highlight @school_counseling_at_vpa
Websites
http://www.donothingfor2minutes.com/: 2 minutes of listening to the sound of waves & being still
https://asoftmurmur.com/: create your own mix of calming noises
https://www.virusanxiety.com/: virtual toolkit that is good for both any coronavirus related anxiety & generalized life anxieties
https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene: yoga videos for EVERYTHING (focus, morning, self-care, beginners, couch potatoes, etc.)
https://www.stayhometakecare.com/: ideas on how to take care of yourself
https://tsteffey2.wixsite.com/website: if you go under the “resources for elementary students” section & scroll down to “Activities”, you’ll find a ton of free virtual activities
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/lifestyle/wellness/virus-self-care/: taking care of yourself from head to toe
https://www.rainymood.com/: rain sounds paired with a daily song
http://catsoundboard.com/: cat soundboard
https://explore.org/livecams: live streams of animal sanctuaries/ rescues, nature, and more.
http://weavesilk.com/: create neon artwork
Apps (all free with options to pay for more access):
Insight Timer: thousands of meditations for everything (sleep, anxiety, self-esteem, grief, etc.)
Smiling Mind: meditation
Sanvello for Stress & Anxiety: has a daily mood tracker, coping tools, meditations, & journaling
Chroma adult coloring book: virtual coloring book
Relax Melodies: sounds, stories, meditations, & more for those who struggle to fall asleep
Mindshift: journaling, coping skills, & goal setting to help manage anxiety
SuperBetter: game-like app that helps users build resilience, achieve goals, & tackle challenges
Sleep Cycle: for those struggling with sleep, this helps you track your sleep & provides methods to help you get to sleep.
Activities/ General Counselor Suggestions
Journal: if you’re having a hard time sleeping, keep a journal next to your bed & write out your thoughts. Another journal idea: record 1 thing that you are grateful for every day.
Talk about it (when you’re ready). Name your feelings.
Keep a routine: try to eat & go to bed at the same time every day
Move your body: take a walk, try online workout classes, do a few jumping jacks… get your endorphins pumping.
Set boundaries & say NO
Read: Our public library offers e-books.
Take breaks from social media & the news.
Report abuse