November 2025

Happy November, Rolling Hills families! Here are the latest updates from the counseling team.

Recess Time with Ms. Chang

Ms. Chang regularly spends time with students during recess for game time on our playground, and for reading time in our beautiful Literacy Garden (which is maintained with funding from our school's wonderful Foundation!). Our students look forward to this valuable time with Ms. Chang, as these are great opportunities to discuss and practice important lessons like sharing, taking turns, listening, and encouraging our peers. In November, Ms. Chang will be playing games with the 1st graders during lunch recess on 11/3 and11/17, and she will be reading books in the literacy garden during 2nd-5th grade lunch recess on 11/6 and 11/20.

Hope Squad

This year's Rolling Hills Hope Squad has officially begun! Hope Squad is a nationally-recognized suicide prevention program with a goal of increasing inclusion and connectedness in schools by teaching students how to provide friendship, encouragement, and support for students who may feel left out or isolated. Our Hope Squad is made up of 12 fourth and fifth grade students, who meet with us twice a month for lessons, activities, and discussion on how to best identify and support students who may feel isolated. We are excited to be working with this wonderful group of students!

No Place For Hate

Our group of 12 fourth and fifth grade students has been meeting weekly over the past few weeks to create our school's No Place for Hate banner. This banner will soon be signed by all students and staff, signifying that we are all dedicated to creating a school where everyone feels welcomed and appreciated.

Second Step

Approximately two times per month, each classroom receives a lesson from from the Second Step curriculum. Second Step is a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program that teaches developmentally-appropriate learning and life skills, in the areas of empathy and learning skills, emotion management, problem-solving, and bullying prevention. These are valuable skills that all students can use during their time at Rolling Hills and beyond. Ms. Chang teaches lessons in Kindergarten through third grade, and Mr. Sterk teaches the fourth and fifth grade lessons. Our TK classes will incorporate Second Step content into their daily classroom lessons and activities. If you would ever like resources to further discuss any of our Second Step lesson topics at home, please let us know. Throughout the year, we will provide updates on which topics we will be covering each month. 

November
Kindergarten: We Feel Feelings in our Bodies; Calming Down Strong Feelings

First Grade: Similarities & Differences; Feelings Change; Strong Feelings

Second Grade: Respecting Differences; Showing Compassion; Predicting Feelings

Third Grade: Understanding Perspectives; Conflicting Feelings; Circles of Control

Fourth Grade: Emotion Management

Fifth Grade: Managing Anxiety

Parent Workshops
PUSD's Caring Connections Center hosts valuable parent workshops throughout the school year, focusing on a variety of topics that may be of interest to you. Upcoming sessions will be focusing on managing challenging behaviors and navigating adolescence. To learn more, please visit the Caring Connections website.

Florence Chang Pete Sterk

Student Services Assistant School Counselor

Counseling Center Amazon Wishlist