Counselor's Corner
December 2023
Counseling Monthly Focus
What is S.E.L.?
- S.E.L. stands for Social Emotional Learning. Social emotional learning includes management of emotions and behavior, the ability to identify and understand feelings in ourselves and others, the ability to form and maintain positive relationships, and the development of empathy for others. Why is S.E.L. important?
- S.E.L. teaches important life skills that will carry over into adult life, making students positive, contributing members of society. Some of these life skills include the ability to understand themselves, develop positive self-esteem, take responsibility for actions, and maintain healthy personal and working relationships.
SEL contributes to healthy well-being and safe schools
While SEL does not replace the need for mental health interventions for students who need it, SEL can cultivate important “protective factors”—caring relationships, safe and supportive environments, social and emotional skills—that buffer against mental health risks.
- Participation in SEL programs is linked to decreased emotional distress, more positive attitudes about self and others, and fewer externalizing behaviors and discipline problems.
- SEL enhances young people’s coping skills, resiliency, and emotion identification, which can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in the short term.
- Students participating in SEL report an increased sense of safety and support, better relationships with teachers, and stronger feelings of belonging and inclusiveness in schools.
- SEL contributes to reductions in bullying and aggression.
SEL develops skills that promote future readiness
Students who engage in SEL programs see consistent improvements in social and emotional skills, and stronger social and emotional skills contribute to positive lifetime outcomes up to 18 years. Students with stronger social and emotional skills are more likely to reach milestones including:
- High School graduation
- Postsecondary enrollment and completion
- Stable, full-time employment
Happy Healthy Kids TIP:
SEL Activities for Children
1. Gratitude Journal
2. Glitter Jar
3. Letter or Drawing
4. Make Schedule or To Do List
5. Reset Your Body
(See link below for details on activities)
https://betterkids.education/blog/5-easy-social-emotional-learning-activities-for-kids-to-do-at-home
December- Upcoming Events
*Schedule subject to change without notice
12/1- Make Your Own "Squeeze Ball" (Student Activity)
12/1- Coffee W/ the Counselor 9:00am-9:40am via zoom
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/89263608114?pwd=gEoaD62slck0IK2v1AnUEsXGQFajmR.
12/1-12/7- Holiday Shop
12/8- Foam Painting (Student Activity)
12/14- Special Minimum Day (Early Dismissal)
12/15-1/2- Winter Break- NO SCHOOL
~Happy 2024~
1/3- Return to School (1st day back from Winter Break)
MTSS-B Data Update (November 2023)
Monthly Counseling Room Student Sign-Ins: 420 students (recess and lunch)
Friday Activities-
11/3- Sidewalk Chalk Art- 51 students
11/10- No School
11/17- Fall Leaves - Positive Affirmations - 28 students
11/24- No School
Lunch Bunch Tuesday's-
11/7- 11 students
11/14- 6 students
Tier 2 Interventions
-Small Group
21 students participating in Small Group intervention
2 students exit
-CICO (Check-In/Check-Out)
23 students participating in CICO intervention
4 students exit
Tier 3 Interventions
6 students participating in T3 interventions
1 student exit
Attendance Update (from Dr. Hatch)
Eagle Families,
As you are aware, we won the attendance trophy for having the best attendance in our group of schools. We are very proud of that accomplishment and want to ensure that we keep the trophy for the next trimester. That being said, please ensure to bring your students to school every day including the day before and the day after breaks.
The Thursday before the break we were at 96.5%; however, on Friday and Monday we were at 91%. Today we were a little better at 93.8%, but we are still far below the district goal of 96.5%, and now another elementary school has taken the lead for best attendance. We need everyone to do their part to keep that trophy here. Please make illness the only reason for absences.
Ways you can help improve attendance:
- Schedule medical visits after the school day.
- Prepare, prepare, prepare! Get essential tasks – making lunches, packing bookbags, selecting outfits – done the night before school.
- Plan family vacations and group gatherings when school is not in session.
- Only keep students home when they have a contagious illness or a fever that exceeds 101°.
- Connect with your student to understand why they are not looking forward to attending school regularly.
- Inform students about the importance of regular, consistent attendance.
- Ask the school for assistance when needed.
Remember –
ATTEND TODAY, ACHIEVE TOMORROW!
Let's Connect!
Daniela Rodriguez
K-12 Intervention Counselor, MTSS-B
Levi H. Dickey Elementary
Daniela_Rodriguez@chino.k12.ca.us(909) 947-6693