Connect with Counselor Collins

During the months of January and February, students received lessons on personal safety, touching safety, and assertiveness. We used Second Step's Child Protection Curriculum as a resource to guide us through these conversations and lessons. For more information on this curriculum, you can visit: Second Step Child Protection.

Students learned:

• How to respond in unsafe situations
• The difference between unsafe and unwanted touches
• The importance of reporting to trusted adults

I'm here to help every step of the way. Do not hesitate to reach out if needed.

I wish you well,

~Mrs. Collins

• 1. Make sure your child knows who their safe adults are and knows the phone numbers to call in case of emergency.
  2. Establish a code word that only your child and their safe adults know.
  3. Remind your child to NEVER go anywhere with anyone without permission (ex: don’t get into a car with a stranger or anyone without your permission).
  4. Remind your child not to take candy or gifts from strangers.
  5. Discuss what to do if your child is at home alone. Discuss and practice what to do if someone comes to the door (students should never open exterior doors without their safe adult).
  6. Monitor your child’s internet usage. A lot of sites are not elementary age appropriate. Students have to be 13 years or older to use sites like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, & many more.
  • Checking the age limit for social media sites and create a list of appropriate sites your child can use.

From February 26-April 21, we will focus on Social Awareness: peer conflict, friendship, kindness, and empathy.

Kindergarten-2nd Grade Lesson Dates:

• March 4-8
• March 18-22
• April 8-12

3rd-5th Grade Lesson Dates:

• February 26-March 1
• March 11-15
• April 1-5

Small group and Individual counseling are available for students to support their social emotional skill growth, and/or academics.

School counseling is not intended to take the place of therapy, or outside counseling. It is short term, 4-8 weeks, and uses a solution-focused strategy.

Individual and small group counseling are led by Mrs. Maloney (School Social Worker), Synergy Resiliency Specialist (Ms. Mary Kate Concannon), or myself (Mrs. Collins, School Counselor).

Also, if a student needs to check in with me to discuss a problem or feeling they are experiencing, I am available for that as well. Students can request to see me by asking their teacher or emailing me. Please reach out to me if your student needs to speak with me about an emergency or because someone is in danger. You can also remind them to ask their teacher to reach me if needed.

I am excited to welcome Mary Kate Concannon to our Line Creek family! Mary Kate is a Resiliency Specialist with Synergy Services and will begin coming to Line Creek part time March 6th. Mary Kate will work closely with Mrs. Maloney and I to meet with students individually and in small groups as needed for social emotional learning.

The role of a Resiliency Specialist is to help create classrooms where children can regulate their emotions and behavior in a way that is conducive to learning. Prevention services focused on resiliency are available to full classrooms, small groups, and individual students. The classroom curriculum, MindUP For Schools, is an evidence-based program that has been shown to increase pro-social actions and improve academic achievements, by teaching children about their brains and how to regulate, through calming practices and coping skills.

As you continue to reinforce and discuss counselor lessons with your child(ren) at home, consider the following resources.

Learning and Engagement:

• Read and share books about African Americans with your child, Jill Heise offers an Honoring Black Lives virtual library with subsections like Black Joy & Magic, Empowering Stories, and Black People Impacting the World.
  
• Celebrate Black History Month with Mid-Continent Library
• Let's Talk: How To Talk To Kids About Race-PBS

Social Emotional Learning & Awareness:

• As you go through this year and your child(ren) experiences big emotions, Park Hill has created a virtual relaxation room on our website for students to access anytime.
• To learn more about creating a calming corner at home, read this article: "Setting up a Calming Corner at Home."
• Hot Chocolate Talk: Second Step has put together a public awareness campaign designed to help families navigate conversations about child sexual abuse. Their research-based how-to guides and free online resources teach simple, age-appropriate body safety rules and help families create a sense of warmth and comfort when talking about serious topics. All campaign materials are available in English and coming soon in Spanish.

• Mrs. Maloney's (School Social Worker) Confidential Resource Checklist Form
• Community Therapy, Psychiatry, and Behavioral Health
  
• District Student Family Support
  
• District Calendar
  
• PTA Clothing Center
  

If you or someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts or ideation, don't be afraid to ask for help. The resources below are free. In case of life threatening emergency, please call 911.

• National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 988
• National Crisis Text Line: 741741
• Community Care Crisis Line (LOCAL KC): 1-888-279-8188
• Compassionate Ear Warmline (4pm-10pm): 913-281-2251 or toll free: 866-927-6327

In Park Hill School District, we define bullying by 3 indicators:

• Behavior is repeated
• Intent to harm (behavior occurred on purpose)
• Imbalance of power (student has a hard time defending themselves)-i.e. disability, age gap, number of people involved, weight, etc.

• Camber Children's Mental Health is offering one free child therapy session for those impacted by the tragedy after the Chief's parade. Contact Camber at freecambersession@cambermh.org.
• Children's Mercy shares resources and supports for helping your child. You can view their suggestions here.

• Kansas City Trauma Recovery Network Therapy Services is offering pro bono services for those affected by the tragedy. Visit https://www.kctraumarecoverynetwork.com/ and click "Request Services in the upper left. KC Trauma Recovery Network will be in touch with you to discuss your needs.

If you have questions regarding your student, the information shared in this Counseling Connection Newsletter, or need help finding a mental health professional in the Kansas City area, please reach me at either of the contact options listed at the bottom of this page.

You are also welcome to reach our School Social Worker, Bonnie Maloney at 816-359-6744 .

We look forward to partnering with you and your student!

Email: collinst@parkhill.k12.mo.us
Website: https://linecreek.parkhill.k12.mo.us/
Location: 5801 Northwest Waukomis Drive, Kansas City, MO, USA
Phone: 816-359-6953
Facebook: facebook.com/ourschool
Twitter: @ourschool