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December 2020 Updates from Our Counselling Team
December 2020 Updates from Our Counselling Team
- One on One Support - Our Counsellors continue to meet one on one with students and families as needs arise.
- Small Groups - Our small group focussed sessions are up and running! There are a variety of sessions being offered by our team to meet the needs of classrooms. Class cohorts have been created for groups to ensure the safety of all students and staff.
- Universal Classroom Lessons: In order to minimize the number of close contacts in our school, the decision has been made that our counselling team will offer virtual Universal Classroom lessons. This month's Universal Mindfulness Activity will focus on Progressive Muscle Relaxation for our teachers to use with their class.
Also check out the tabs at the top of this page for more resources!
Also check out the tabs at the top of this page for more resources!
Advent 2020
Advent 2020
It’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Sadly, this means that we sometimes lose sight of the real meaning and purpose of this time of year. Advent is a time of anticipation and waiting for the birth of Jesus. Check out an online or printable advent calendar to stay connected to the hope, joy, and occasional peppermint mocha that make this time of year so special!
Celebrating Advent with Mindfulness
Celebrating Advent with Mindfulness
December Mindfulness Focus: Mindful Colouring
December Mindfulness Focus: Mindful Colouring
Coloring, doodling and drawing can be very calming for individuals of all ages. It is a tool that is socially acceptable, encouraged and portable. Providing choice is important with this skill though as some students will find drawing more comforting than coloring. Introduce the skill of coloring and provide doodling and drawing as modifications. Barrett (2015) explains that coloring has a calming effect and encourages individuals to focus on the present moment often helping to replace fears and worries.
One little dot marks the beginning of Vashti’s journey of surprise and self-discovery. That special moment is the core of Peter H. Reynolds’s delicate fable about the creative spirit in all of us.
Mindfulness Focus: Drawing
Mindfulness Focus: Drawing
The hands are busy and the mind just begins to switch off, shut down all the random thoughts and instead focus on the present moment. People also achieve mindfulness by doing yoga, focusing on breathing exercises or going for a mindful walk. A mindful drawing exercise is one that helps you to bring attention to the present moment in time by focusing on what you are drawing – the sound, smell, feeling of it, what you can see etc.
Drawing is what Ramon does. It’s what makes him happy. But in one split second, all that changes. A single reckless remark by Ramon's older brother, Leon, turns Ramon's carefree sketches into joyless struggles. Luckily for Ramon, though, his little sister, Marisol, sees the world differently. She opens his eyes to something a lot more valuable than getting things just "right." Peter Reynolds shines a bright beam of light on the need to kindle and tend our creative flames with care.
Mindfulness Focus: Journaling
Mindfulness Focus: Journaling
Journaling can be a tool that is used at both school and home. Counsellors/teachers should explore the option of journaling and its usefulness when students struggle with sharing their feelings and experiences. Fritson (2008) explains that journaling helps individuals to change thoughts, mood, perceptions and behaviours while increasing one’s self-awareness, self-efficacy and reflection skills. Journaling may be another modality that opens up conversations and encourages sharing for varying types of personalities while promoting self-regulation skills.
Journaling is a powerful tool for coping with emotions – for kids and adults – because:
The emotional release you get from journaling can lower anxiety and stress, plus help you sleep better.
Journaling can put you into a state of mindfulness, where your negative experiences don’t seem quite so earth-shattering.
Writing by hand about your emotions helps you better understand and process those emotions, and it also seems to unlock the maximum calming effect related to journaling.
School Nutrition Programs
School Nutrition Programs
Breakfast Program
Breakfast Program
Our Breakfast Program is funded by the Government of Alberta School Nutrition Program and community parish members to provide a hot breakfast every morning to hungry students who haven't had breakfast. Breakfast programs ensure that all students have reliable access to nutritious food in a safe and supportive environment, in order to positively impact health and learning.
Our Breakfast Program is funded by the Government of Alberta School Nutrition Program and community parish members to provide a hot breakfast every morning to hungry students who haven't had breakfast. Breakfast programs ensure that all students have reliable access to nutritious food in a safe and supportive environment, in order to positively impact health and learning.
School lunches are available through the Mustard Seed
School lunches are available through the Mustard Seed
The Mustard Seed School Lunch Program ensures youth experiencing poverty receive a healthy and nutritious lunch throughout the school year. To register your child for this program, contact Mrs. Swinston at cathy.swinston@rdcrs.ca or call the school at 403-346-0505 and leave at message at extension 290154.
The Mustard Seed School Lunch Program ensures youth experiencing poverty receive a healthy and nutritious lunch throughout the school year. To register your child for this program, contact Mrs. Swinston at cathy.swinston@rdcrs.ca or call the school at 403-346-0505 and leave at message at extension 290154.
President Choice Children's Charity Snack Program
President Choice Children's Charity Snack Program
Our PC School Nutrition Grant allows us to provide each classroom with a bin of shelf-stable snacks to ensure students experiencing poverty have access to a mid-morning snack. President Choices believe access to good food and food education provides the foundation, so children can learn and grow, improving their well-being, making a positive contribution to the world around them – now, and in the future.
Our PC School Nutrition Grant allows us to provide each classroom with a bin of shelf-stable snacks to ensure students experiencing poverty have access to a mid-morning snack. President Choices believe access to good food and food education provides the foundation, so children can learn and grow, improving their well-being, making a positive contribution to the world around them – now, and in the future.
Salvation Army Weekend Student Backpack Meal Program
Salvation Army Weekend Student Backpack Meal Program
The Weekend Feeding program has been developed for children who are experiencing severe food insecurity. For more information contact Ms. Masson at julie.masson@rdcrs.ca or call the school at 403-346-0505 and leave at message at extension 290154.
The Weekend Feeding program has been developed for children who are experiencing severe food insecurity. For more information contact Ms. Masson at julie.masson@rdcrs.ca or call the school at 403-346-0505 and leave at message at extension 290154.
Community Resources
Community Resources
Sports and outdoor recreation are important for our physical and mental well-being and often lead to friendships and connections to community that last a lifetime. The following groups assist eligible families to access recreation throughout the year:
Canadian Tire Jump Start : http://jumpstart.canadiantire.ca
Kid Sport: http://www.kidsportcanada.ca
City of Red Deer Fee Assistance Program: Contact any City of Red Deer Recreation Facility
The YMCA will also offer a discount or sponsor a student for families who qualify.
If you would like a list of these groups or require support applying for these programs please contact Ms. Masson or Mrs. Swinston.
Christmas Community Support Programs
Christmas Community Support Programs
If you are interested in learning more about Red Deer’s Christmas Community Support Programs and how to access them, contact either Ms. Masson or Mrs. Swinston.
If you are interested in learning more about Red Deer’s Christmas Community Support Programs and how to access them, contact either Ms. Masson or Mrs. Swinston.
Looking to give back this Christmas? To volunteer or donate contact the Red Deer Christmas Bureau, the Outreach Centre, FSCA, the Salvation Army, CAWES, Hope Mission or the Mustard Seed.
Looking to give back this Christmas? To volunteer or donate contact the Red Deer Christmas Bureau, the Outreach Centre, FSCA, the Salvation Army, CAWES, Hope Mission or the Mustard Seed.
School Counsellors: Mrs. Lynch & Mrs. Fleming
School Counsellors: Mrs. Lynch & Mrs. Fleming
Contact: wendy.lynch@rdcrs.ca & cari.fleming@rdcrs.ca, extension 290156
Contact: cathy.swinston@rdcrs.ca & julie.masson@rdcrs.ca, extension 290154
190 Glendale BoulevardRed Deer, Alberta T4P 2P7Phone: 403-346-0505Fax: 403-347-0365www.stteresaschool.ca
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