Mountain View Counseling Program

Below you will find many resources from the counseling program that all children have access to. Research shows using common language at home and at school is very beneficial to supporting mental health and emotional wellbeing. I want to give you access to what we are learning at school and provide tools and resources for your children to use at home. This website will continue to be updated and grow just as your children will!

At school, some of the proactive services I will be providing at Mountain View are:

• Classroom lessons every other week in each class. The skill areas that we will address include: social skills development, conflict management, emotional awareness and regulation, personal safety, substance abuse prevention, firearm injury prevention, and career development.

• Groups to assist students in improving academics, adjust to changes in their lives, or get along with others better. *Parent permission may be required.

• Individual guidance to help students adjust to school or deal with specific problems they are experiencing. I do not provide on-going counseling for students. As time permits, a school counselor mostly practices crisis counseling. It is short in nature, deals with problems that are specific to a situation, and is meant to help a student “get back on the right track” so they can perform academically in the classroom. In the event that a student’s or family’s concerns or problems require dedicated time beyond what the school can provide, appropriate resources will be given.

• Educational classes for parents interested in learning new skills to implement with their child. *See parent education pamphlet sent home with your child(ren) at beginning of year and at semester change.

• Conferences with parents to learn about their children’s progress in school or assist with family issues.

I value providing a counseling environment that is safe and supportive, where students feel comfortable talking about any concerns that they may have. In the event that a student’s concerns or problems require services and dedicated time beyond what the school can provide, appropriate resources will be given.

I look forward to meeting you and your child(ren) and please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Denise Dillon-Johnson, M.A., LPC
208-854-5707
denise.dillonjohnson@boiseschools.org

"Understanding is love's other name." - Nhat Hanh

If schools close again, due to Covid 19, parents need to be prepared. According to Richard Gallagher, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NYU, parents need to be particularly focused on their children’s needs during this uncertain time. Dr. Gallagher recommends the following:

Children need structure. Set a schedule for the weekdays and weekends. Children and teens do their best if there are plans for each day, especially the weekdays when they would normally be in school.

Set regular bedtimes and wake-ups. It is best to have the same schedule you set when your kids are attending school, since it can be hard to get back on track.

Education on-line can be a challenge. Make sure your child keeps up with assignments and can engage in any virtual instruction.

Exercise and social contact. By keeping active each day, everyone will be calmer and will sleep better. Get involved in taking walks and playing active games (such as tag or hide-and-seek) with your children and hiking, biking and running are great forms of exercise to relieve stress.

Reduce anxiety in the face of real-life concerns. Talk to your children about COVID-19 and help maintain the appropriate calm. Make certain to provide accurate information from reliable sources. Ask if they have questions or concerns about the situation and work hard to clearly answer their questions.

Click here for the website from our social worker. This is a great resource and a direct way to contact her for your family's needs.

BSD Social Worker Resource Site

Free resources and support are available not just for people living with a diagnosed mental health condition but also for those currently feeling isolated or out of sorts while sheltering at home. These tips are intended to promote practicing self-care as a way to support mental health and wellbeing at a highly stressful time when many of us are cut off from the things we usually do to support recovery/wellbeing: gym, book club, group therapy, religious services, etc. The resources available include:

• Optum/ Psych Hub website www.PsychHub.com/selfcare
• Facts about MH conditions
• Self-care tips for maintaining good MH and wellbeing
• Words matter – terminology flyer
• Can't go into counseling physically? Here are some great resources of Telemental Health Resources in the Treasure Valley

• The LARGEST RESOURCE LISTS I'VE FOUND! Find it here!
• Racism and Violence- Helping your kids handle the news with VIDEO
• Helping Children Cope with Frightening News
• Fostering Resilience in Kids
• What to do (and not do) when children are anxious
• How to talk to your children about racism

Race and Racism Reading Lists
Anti-Racism Reading List from Ibram X. Kendi (author of “How to Be an Antiracist”)
New York Times: Anti-Racism Books for Kids
31 Children’s Books to Support Conversations on Race, Racism and Resistance
USA Today: Must-Read Books About Racism for Adults and Kids

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Click here for more information about 6th graders registering for 7th grade! This website will have information on Fairmont Jr. High AND Riverglen Jr. High. (Website will be updated with this year's information early January, when junior highs release their info to Mountain View.)

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RUDE VS MEAN VS BULLYING RESOURCES:

Your children learn what a growth mindset it at Mountain View. Here's some resources for parents to use at home!

• How to teach growth mindset to kids
• I can train my brain?!

EMOTIONAL AWARENESS AND REGULATION:

MORE PARENTING RESOURCES:

***COUNSELOR LESSONS, BY GRADE LEVEL, COMING SOON!***

Mountain View Newsletter

Mountain View Bengal Way

Email: kristen.shearer@boiseschools.org
Website: mountainview.boiseschools.org
Location: 3500 Cabarton Lane, Boise, ID, USA
Phone: 208-854-5700