October 2024 Counselor's Corner

Email: jakneedl@garlandisd.net
Website: https://www.garlandisdschools.net/clubhill
Location: 1330 Colonel Dr, Garland, TX 75043, USA
Phone: (972)926-2520
Twitter: @MsKneedler

Mission

The mission of the Club Hill Elementary Counseling Program is to provide a proactive, comprehensive, and developmentally appropriate program to support students' academic, personal/social needs, and career goals so that they become successful and lifelong learners in a diverse and changing world.

Vision

To support student success in a diverse and evolving society, one student at a time.

Oct. 14th-18th: Fall Break

Oct. 21st - 25th: Red Ribbon Week

Classroom guidance lessons for the month of October will focus on drug education prevention.

As a parent, you are the biggest influence in your child’s life and having open, honest conversations is one of the most powerful ways to connect with your kids and help them develop into healthy adults. When addressing some more challenging topics – like nicotine, alcohol or drugs – it’s not about having a one-time “drug talk,” but rather tackling the subject through more frequent, organic conversations that evolve as your child gets older. Some things to keep in mind:

• Keep lines of communication open and make sure you come from a place of love and compassion – even when you’re having tough conversations.
• Balance any consequences with positive encouragement.
• Frequent touch points and teachable moments come up all the time — use these as natural opportunities to discuss substance use.

Younger elementary school children still crave time and connection with family and most are eager to please, but they’re also beginning to explore their individuality. Building on the aforementioned tips, here are some age-appropriate scenarios to help your child understand how to stay healthy and avoid risks related to substance use.

• Talk to your kids about substance-related messages they see on TV or in movies or overhear at school. Ask your kids how they feel about the things they’ve seen or heard — you’ll learn a great deal about what they’re thinking.
• Keep your discussions about substances focused on the present — long-term consequences are too distant to have meaning to most children of this age.
• Discuss the differences between the medicinal uses and illegal uses of drugs, and how taking prescription medicine the wrong way can be very dangerous.
• Set clear rules and expectations. If you smoke cigarettes, use vaping products or drink alcohol, be mindful of the message you are sending to your children. Try not to convey that it takes a drink or pill to relax, relieve stress or have fun. Be clear that alcohol and other substances are especially dangerous for kids whose brains and bodies are still developing.
• Work on problem solving together: Help them find long-lasting solutions to homework trouble, a fight with a friend or dealing with a bully. Be sure to point out that quick fixes are not long-term solutions. Even if the choices they end up making are not exactly what you may have had in mind, there is opportunity to build confidence and resilience (assuming the choices are not dangerous).
• Get to know your child’s friends — and their parents. Check in to make sure they are giving their children the same kinds of messages you are giving yours. If those messages or different or inconsistent with yours, talk with your children about how different people make different choices. Explain why you believe your family’s choices are best for you and your children.