Unexpected School Closure (COVID-19)

Dear Parents/Guardians:

In light of the unexpected school closure, we wanted to let you know that the counselors will be available to consult, collaborate, and conference with you and your student(s) if you are in need of our services. This includes making referrals for mental wellness and/or referrals if you need resources, such as pantry access to food or clothing.

We can be reached at the following email addresses:

K-2^nd: D’Etta Broam: dbroam@lexington1.net

3^rd-4^th: Frizzette Miller: fmiller@lexington1.net

5^th: Carolyn MC: cmishoe-coon@lexington1.net

Best regards,

D’Etta Broam

Frizzette Miller

Carolyn M.-C.

Thoughts from YOUR School Counselors:

1. Concept of Circle of Control

I'm in charge of what I __________, where I __________, what I __________, how I __________, and what I __________.

Discuss with your family about what you can and cannot control during this unexpected school closure. How will you cope well with things you cannot control?

2. How can you show kindness during this unexpected school closure? How do you see kindness in your family and community? What is a teddy bear friend?

3. All Feelings are ____. When managing an unpleasant feeling or solving a problem,

(1) Nobody gets __________,

(2) Nothing gets __________, and

(3) You don't hurt __________.

Drawing is one healthy way to manage unpleasant feelings. Author Illustrator Mo Willems (Elephant and Piggie) is doing ‘Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems” at 1:00 EST everyday: https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/mo-willems/ Mo Willems invites YOU into his studio every day for his LUNCH DOODLE. Learners worldwide can draw, doodle and explore new ways of writing by visiting Mo’s studio virtually once a day for the next few weeks. Grab some paper and pencils, pens, or crayons and join Mo to explore ways of writing and making together. New episodes will be posted each weekday at 1:00 p.m. ET (saw a TWEET on 3/18 the new drop time is 2:15 ET) and then remain online to be streamed afterwards. Check back each weekday for new LUNCH DOODLES!

4. What is ON and what is OFF when you are LISTENING?

Ears on or off, Eyes on or off, Mouth on or off, Brain on or off, Hands on or off, Heart on or off?

Explore https://wedolisten.org/ for more ideas!

5. When you pretend to be a tree, it helps reduce anxiety, relieve a scattered mind or channel frenetic energy. It also helps you feel stable in your body, steady in mind and balanced in mood and emotions.

Take a deep breath and stand tall. Press the sole of one foot to the ankle, lower leg, or thigh. Your balancing leg is straight and strong, but don't lock your knee. You can raise your "branches" high to help with balance. Squeeze your tummy muscles if you wobble. Breathe! Try it on the other side. It's helpful to find a focal point if it's difficult to balance.

K, 1^st, and 2^nd Graders, don’t forget If you have internet access, check out Mrs. Broam’s Counseling site: https://sites.google.com/site/mrsbroam/

You can practice the Power Skills: https://sites.google.com/site/mrsbroam/home/powerskills

and check out Mrs. Broam’s Hat of the Day: http://vitamindb.blogspot.com/

Check Your Work:

1. I'm in charge of what I think, where I look, what I say, how I feel, what I do.

In your family discussion, include ideas about how the unexpected school closure and current circumstances are out of our circle of control. We can respond well by limiting/monitoring social media exposure, limiting visits with others, washing hands regularly and consistently for 20 seconds, coughing into your elbow, etc.

2. You may want to include in your discussion how your family is spending larger amounts of time together. Respecting others’ need to be “alone” will be one kindness you can share. You also have more opportunities to practice patience.

Teddy Bears or other special toys or blankets we attach to make us feel safe and secure. We feel more comfortable hugging on these and that feeling is the one we want to share as a Teddy Bear Friend. Listening well and helping others are two ways we can be Teddy Bear Friends. Teddy Bear Friends make it so we can learn the most in a school day! This is the "Animal Friend" that makes the world a shinier, happier, healthier place to be! Be a Teddy Bear Friend!

3. ALL Feelings are OK! Feelings come in two flavors: Pleasant and UNpLeasSAnT. We don't enjoy the unpleasant feelings. They feel wonky, upsetting, itchy and scratchy. But unpleasant feelings happen and are real and must be felt in healthy ways (1--nobody gets hurt, 2--nothing gets broken, 3—You don’t hurt yourself). You feel them to get back to the more pleasant ones. If you try to ignore or shove aside unpleasant feelings, they don't "go away" -- they grow bigger and BIGGER and then it gets REALLY MESSY. School Counselors can help when it gets really messy, but we can also help proactively with managing feelings in healthy ways!

4. When you listen . . . Ears are ON, Eyes are FOCUSED, Brain is ENGAGED, Hands and Mouth are RESTING! And is your HEART in it? YES! Good listening is a full body experience?! Tune in to others. Put down the phone. Take time to be with the folks you share space with. So many issues are rooted in lack of connection and relationship. We NEED EACH OTHER to do the work to be done each day.

5.

Other ideas for reducing stress and anxiety from the World Health Organization:

**NEW 3/23/2020**

"It's Okay When It's Not Okay" -- https://youtu.be/fHDMQGArT9Q -- Kevin the Unicorn: It's Not All Rainbows by Jessika von Innerebner

**NEW 3/24/2020**

The Rabbit Listened by Cori Doerrfeld -- http://vitamindb.blogspot.com/2020/03/building-on-tuesday.html

**NEW 3/25/2020**

Scroll down for "What to Do with Worries"

https://sites.google.com/site/mrsbroam/home/feelings

**NEW 4/7/2020**

Lessons Shared in 2019-2020 -- https://sites.google.com/site/mrsbroam/home/classroomcounseling/classroomcounseling2019-2020

Pre-Kindergarten:

Erin's Law: My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss

Various Stories and Strategies including "Animal Friends," "Bug and a Wish," Breathing and Self-Calm Techniques

Kindergarten:

Academic: Active Listening -- Howard B. Wigglebotton Learns to Listen

Career: Going to School is Your Job -- Positive attitude toward work and learning

Social/Emotional: Animal Friends (Making Friends)

Erin’s Law: Your Body Belongs to You by Cornelia Spelman

Bullying: Sesame Street: The Good Birds Club

First Grade:

Academic: School Readiness/ Whole Body Listening -- Video: The Biscotti Kid: http://www.sesamestreet.org/videos?vid=3157

Career: Careers and Interests Around My School

Social/Emotional: A Bug and a Wish -- Use effective oral and written communication skills and listening skills

Bullying: Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns About Bullies

Erin’s Law: Harmful Secrets -- Do You Have a Secret by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos

Second Grade:

Academic: Goal Setting -- The Tortoise and the Hare

Career: Things I Like to Do

Social/Emotional: Attract and Repel -- Create positive and supportive relationships with other students

Bullying

Erin’s Law: Community Safety -- Stranger Danger

**NEW 4/24/2020**

Thanks to those who've invited me to "see" your visits with your students! I'm going to give ZOOMing a try, starting next week! Next week until the end of the school year:

Tuesdays at 10:00 -- Yoga Time

Thursdays at 2:00 -- Stories for Sharing

The sessions will be 15-20ish minutes, no longer than 30. Have parents let me know if students would like to participate, and I'll send the code!

Also, I'm still posting the silly hat of the day: https://vitamindb.blogspot.com/ or "vitaminDB" on Facebook or "zipaDeeBee" on Twitter. Last week I celebrated rainbows! This week I've been sharing the book, We're All in the SAME BOAT by Zachary Shapiro.

As I've shared with classes, your school counselors are here to help in any way we can as we learn to live this "new normal." Sra. Pawlak shared a great strategy with her parents:

GRACE

Grace -- give yourself some

Routine -- keep one, even if it's loose, like "after breakfast, we . . . "

Activity -- integrate movement throughout the day (Tuesdays at 10:00 -- Try Yoga!)

Compare -- Don't compare to others! Just do what you can do today.

Example -- Be an example for your children and for others. Encourage, and do your best.

Jenny learned that from someone else and shared, and I thought it was important to continue to pass it on!

Mrs. Sweatman shared a neat conversation starter today: GNL -- The idea was to share one thing you are GRATEFUL for, something NEW you are learning, and what are you LOOKING forward to? That tied into something I learned earlier this week through Maryland University of Integrative Health: At a time when you need a clear head and a positive attitude, gratitude can help reduce stress and improve your mood, thereby enhancing your critical thinking and clarity in decision-making.

Find something to be grateful for today! It's something you can do, and it will help you with your thinking and choosing. Cool beans!

Beginning, Tuesday, 4/28 and Thursday, 4/30:

Tuesdays at 10:00 -- Yoga Time

Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/99419962450?pwd=MWZ4Q0RmSkpUdDY3cThmYW8rYmNXdz09 Meeting ID: 994 1996 2450 Password: 5n2tBa

Thursdays at 2:00 -- Stories for Sharing

Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/97279984195?pwd=ZWZZalFmayt3R05vVTJiSFRTZHRHUT09 Meeting ID: 972 7998 4195 Password: 6UGcrt

4/28/2020 -- Yoga with a Mermaid #1 -- http://zipadeeyoga.blogspot.com/2020/04/zipadee-zoom.html

4/30/2020 -- Caring Cougars -- http://vitamindb.blogspot.com/2020/04/imagine-dragons.html

5/5/2020 -- Yoga on Cinco de Mayo #2 -- http://vitamindb.blogspot.com/2020/05/cinco-de-mayo.html

5/7/2020 -- Got G.R.I.T.? -- http://vitamindb.blogspot.com/2020/05/you-r2-d2-ermined-to-quit.html

5/11/2020 -- Checkin' in with Bill the Buzzard -- Mrs. Broam talks to Bill about the unexpected school closure, self-care tips, and how to KEEP READING! https://youtu.be/OAhrqcADYM4

5/12/2020 -- ZOOM Yoga Time #3 -- Active Adventures OUTSIDE -- https://youtu.be/VPsX6jsqI3c (13:56)

5/14/2020 -- Stay Connected While You Stay at Home -- http://vitamindb.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-jolly-counselor.html

5/19/2020 -- ZOOM Yoga Time #4 -- Live Happily Ever After with YOGA -- https://youtu.be/LUMLUNlyYLc (26:23)

5/21/2020 -- Mrs. Broam's Ohana -- http://vitamindb.blogspot.com/2020/05/mrs-broams-ohana.html

5/26/2020 -- ZOOM Yoga Time #5 -- Yog-a-long Sing-a-long and LISTENING -- https://youtu.be/KEMO8DePZ-s (26:14)

5/28/2020 -- There's Gonna Be Problems! -- http://vitamindb.blogspot.com/2020/05/theres-gonna-be-problems.html

6/2/2020 -- ZOOM Yoga Time #6 -- When the Goats Eat Your Roses -- https://youtu.be/ZcuM-jeEo3o (24:23)

6/4/2020 -- Be Kind -- http://vitamindb.blogspot.com/2020/06/be-kind.html

6/9/2020 -- ZOOM Yoga Time #7 -- Yoga Time With Donald Crews' 10 Dots -- https://youtu.be/I_zaY0OquII (19:01)

6/11/2020 -- "By ignoring the opinions of others, we can hurt their feelings . . . when we respect the opinions of others, we can all GET ALONG." -- https://vitamindb.blogspot.com/2020/06/rootin-for-robots.html

6/16/2020 -- ZOOM Yoga Time #8 -- Yoga Time with Mrs. Honey and Mrs. Broam -- https://youtu.be/TpjWSjIbLQE (22:36)

6/18/20202 -- Penguins Fly on Thursday -- http://vitamindb.blogspot.com/2020/06/penguins-fly-on-thursday.html

6/23/2020 -- ZOOM Yoga Time #9 -- Yoga Road Trip to Alaska -- https://youtu.be/4Q6gyQL-K_0 (32:37)

6/25/2020 -- Let Gratitude Fill, Thrill, and Spill! -- http://vitamindb.blogspot.com/2020/06/fill-thrill-and-spill.html

6/30/2020 -- ZOOM Yoga Time #10 -- Yoga Time Celebrates Independence Day -- https://youtu.be/3aq_HBEtDIU (30:23)

7/1/2020 -- Red, White, and Blue Stories for Sharing -- http://vitamindb.blogspot.com/2020/07/red-white-and-blue-stories-for-sharing.html

7/7/2020 -- ZOOM Yoga Time #11 -- Duck on a Bike by David Shannon/Yoga Camp Day 1 -- https://youtu.be/a27niIsOmzY (45:56)

7/9/2020 -- Peacocky and Proud -- http://vitamindb.blogspot.com/2020/07/peacocky-and-proud.html

7/14/2020 -- ZOOM Yoga Time #12 -- Earth Day EVERY Day! -- https://youtu.be/oIuaXR09xYI (30:34)

7/16/2020 -- 100th Anniversary of American Women's Right to Vote -- http://vitamindb.blogspot.com/2020/07/tuesday-yoga-time-and-thursday-stories.html

7/21/2020 -- ZOOM Yoga Time #13 -- Unicorn Yoga -- https://youtu.be/eBlsyuKC80A (28:55)

7/23/2020 -- Train Your Brain -- http://vitamindb.blogspot.com/2020/07/train-your-brain.html

7/28/2020 -- ZOOM Yoga Time #14 -- AARRGGHH, Pirates, Mateys! -- https://youtu.be/vr66ucRSRWQ (32:36)

7/30/2020 -- Stories to Shiver Me Timbers! -- http://vitamindb.blogspot.com/2020/07/stories-to-shiver-me-timbers.html

8/4/2020 -- ZOOM Yoga Time #15 -- Who Hops? by Katie Davis -- https://youtu.be/NNo0LJ-aQOo (28:24)

8/6/2020 -- Animals on the Go -- http://vitamindb.blogspot.com/2020/08/animals-on-go.html

8/11/2020 -- ZOOM Yoga Time #16 -- Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino -- https://youtu.be/RyoVWXGPYXA (33:53)

8/13/2020 -- Llove to read about Llamas -- https://youtu.be/JyYVXRwnjYk (28:20)