High School Weekly Update
10/18/24
Counselor's Corner
Happy Friday Gray Stone Families!
Some of these Counselor’s Corners serve to help prepare you for the changes of adolescent life. Some of my messages have been to inform and encourage. Some provide help for life at Gray Stone. Today, I am writing to share a few thoughts about a topic that is foremost on many of our minds - trauma and crisis. Addressing a crisis from the mental health perspective is a care of mine in the school counseling realm and it is my hope that these tips will help you prepare for whatever may come your way, now and in the future.
With that, allow me to begin my family tip for this Friday with a quick story from my childhood.
When I was in elementary school, I remember learning about fire safety. I learned to have an escape plan. I learned to practice stop-drop-roll for when I caught on fire. I learned to rehearse for the day when my house would catch on fire. Above all, I learned to be prepared.
In the almost 40 years since those lessons, I have used what I learned to do exactly 0 times. At the same time, I have experienced a stovetop fire, a clothes dryer fire, and the complete loss of my mother’s home to fire, so I do have first-hand exposure to what a fire can do and how to respond when it does. I have learned some important lessons about preparing for and responding to a crisis situation that I feel should be shared with you to help safeguard your children's mental well-being. Before I share those lessons, allow me to point out why this post is needed.
A crisis is a very traumatic experience, especially for a child. When experienced, trauma will alter the functioning of the brain in ways that will create lasting changes. When a crisis is encountered, it cannot always be predicted as to when it will occur or the impact it will have. However, we can be assured that there will be a lasting impact on the lives of our children. In many cases, the resilience of the person will overcome or mitigate the trauma. But, in some cases, the trauma will become debilitating and require support for the person to continue to function without impairment. What, then, do we do to best prepare for the unexpected and unpredictable?
Try not to panic. This is especially true for the sake of your child. Your adult mind can comprehend the information it is receiving and filter the reactionary and emotional feeling from the rational and factual thought. Your children do not necessarily have this ability yet and they need you to be the calming force amid chaotic circumstances.
Recognize when to be concerned. Sometimes, we just need to turn off the news. With the always-on news services and social media, there is little to no room to separate from the negative commentary and constant updates about the most minute details. This can lead from concern to panic to hysteria. Create space between the noise and even sensationalism so that processing can occur. A byproduct of this is that children can continue to be children, full of awe and wonder rather than fear and dread.
Develop a plan of action and talk with your family. When there is a potential crisis ahead, work with your family to develop a plan for preparation. Include everyone in the process, so they feel a sense of ownership and control. This is a tremendously calming influence even over things we cannot fully control. Emphasize what can be done and have open communication. Then, go about living. You have done all you can do at that point. Open communication also minimizes the fear that the adults are hiding something from the children. They will trust you more when you include them on appropriate levels.
Be careful what you convey. We convey information through the words we use, the tone in our voice, and the amount of discussion we have about a topic, to name a few. When we focus on a minor possibility too often, our children begin to think this is inevitable and fear will control everything they would otherwise do. This fear can be paralyzing and will hinder any other efforts on their part. It can also create a paranoia that will linger long after the immediacy of any potential crisis situation has passed.
A crisis generally comes upon us with little notice and seldom resembles a planned course of action. In the case of my fire experiences, the preparation and awareness served to save life and, in most cases, prevent significant damage. For the majority of my life this adage has also proved true, “About 95% of the things I’ve worried about never happened at all.” But, when those crises do occur, I am prepared to deal with them and minimize the negative impact on myself and those around me.
My hope today is that you will do the same for your families. Keep the mental health and well-being of your children at the front of your awareness. Practice preventative measures, use wisdom, and then rest in the assurance that you’ve done the best you can do.
What about you? What steps do you take when facing a crisis? How do you safeguard young minds? Feel free to contact me to share your thoughts.
Until next time…You Matter!
Mr. Morgan
National Honor Society Inducts New Members
National Honor Society inducted 32 new members on Thursday. To qualify for membership at Gray Stone, students must have a weighted GPA of 4.0 or higher, and they must complete a rigorous application process. For more information on NHS at Gray Stone, click here. Congratulations to all the new inductees!
Lap-a-thon Fundraiser
Knight of the Week
We are proud of you, Ashely!
2nd Annual Knights Under the Stars Celebration
Food Trucks that will be in attendance:
What-A-Burger Food Truck https://whataburger13.com/
AstroDogs https://www.astrodogs.us/
Tacoverse https://linktr.ee/thetacoverse
BBQ Food truck: TBD
MeanMug: https://meanmugcoffeeco.com/
Candy Donations Needed for Knights Under the Stars
To make a donation click the link below:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C4AAFAE23AAFF2-51696116-candy#/
or scan the QR code below:
Upcoming Athletic Events
Lunch Menu
October 21-25
Monday Pasta (Meat or Alfredo Sauce), Garlic Bread, Salad Bar
Tuesday Hamburgers, Mac & Cheese, Salad Bar
Wednesday Beef or Chicken Tacos, Salad Bar
Thursday Hot Dogs, Baked Beans, Chips, Salad BarFriday Pizza (Cheese or Pepperoni)
Previously Shared Information
The Lance General Meeting
The LANCE is a parent led organization that supports and enhances the existing programs of Gray Stone Day School. We work with the school, parents, teachers and community to support academics, athletics and social programs for the students and staff.
If you are interested in joining, please visit the Lance page on the GSDS website by clicking here.
General Meeting Schedule
Sep 3, 2024 6:30 PM
Nov 5, 2024 6:30 PM
Jan 7, 2025 6:30 PM
Mar 4, 2025 6:30 PM
May 6, 2025 6:30 PM
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86941536323
Help Needed with Concessions
Hey Knight Families! We need your help to support our athletic programs by volunteering for concessions for our 2024 fall season. Please review the available slots on Sign Up Genius. Thank you!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050C4AAFAE23AAFF2-50493426-fall?useFullSite=true#/
Parking Pass Payment Link Ready
If your student will be parking on campus, they will need to purchase a parking pass for $35. You may make payment by clicking here.
Driver's Ed
About Us
Email: slisk@graystoneday.org
Website: graystoneday.org
Location: 49464 Merner Terrace, Misenheimer, NC, USA
Phone: 704-463-0567
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrayStoneDay/
Twitter: @graystoneday