Counselor's Corner
April
Please see below for some helpful resources we found regarding ASD if you would like to learn more. Many of you may have more personal experiences and understandings, so feel free to reach out and teach us!
1. Autism Support Groups
It is very important for families dealing with autism to have an outlet, such as other parents who are going through the same thing. This site connects them to groups both online and in their area that can offer that type of support.
2. Signs of Autism via Autism Speaks
Signs of autism usually appear by age 2 or 3. Some associated development delays can appear even earlier, and often, it can be diagnosed as early as 18 months. Research shows that early intervention leads to positive outcomes later in life for people with autism.
When to be concern, first course of action, things to do while waiting for a Neurology Evaluation.
3. MyAutismTeam
MyAutismTeam is a social network for parents of kids with autism.
4. Care.com
Care.com is a great place to find a caregiver.
5. Autism…Learn
This site allows people, including children, with autism to complete online activities geared toward helping them develop vital skills.
6. Bloom and Grow
Being a caregiver can be a rewarding, but also often a difficult and humbling task. This site shares products, strategies and tips for how to help your loved one and cope with the great demands that are put upon you each day.
7. Parent Coaching for Autism
Parents of both newly diagnosed children with autism and those who were diagnosed years ago can benefit from this site, sharing ideas for therapies, coping mechanisms and medical benefits through e-courses and newsletters.
8. Autism Blogs Directory
This site offers a comprehensive list of blogs that are written by and for families dealing with autism. It’s easy to get lost in reading their stories when you’re supposed to be working, so be careful!
9. Autism in Action
AiA specializes in offering how-to teaching programs that can help your child with virtually any task, from basic self-care to better communication.
March
Technology has been an area of concern for students and families recently. The counseling department wanted to share some resources for parents on how to manage these tricky areas with cell phones, privacy, social media and cyber bullying.
Common Sense Media is an amazing resource that we utilize in school to create lessons plans for students. They are also a great resource for parents as well when it comes to each facet of media and technology. They have guidebooks on each game or application your child may be using and everything you need to know about how to keep them safe.
I found this article on 11 Social Media Red Flags to be a good place to start. Many students are playing games with these social media aspects and while it can be very positive, it can escalate to negative situations that impact students self esteem, confidence and even academics. Please read up on these issues on how you can support at home. We continue to do the same in school.
We are also sharing resources for how to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. As we've seen over the past two years the news can be a scary place and how to talk about it with children can be especially difficult. We hope some of these resources can support you in navigating these conversations.
Resources:
How to Talk to Kids About Ukraine
Resources for Educators, Families to Discuss the Invasion of Ukraine
We are always here to help! Please reach out if you have any questions or comments.
January and February
During January and February the counselors are continuing their push-in lessons with each classroom. Kindergarten and First grade have continued learning about mindfulness with their glitter jars. Make sure to talk to them about how they may be feeling when they need to use their jar! Second and Third grade have been learning about positive self talk- make sure to talk to your children about how they speak to themselves in the mirror! Fourth and Fifth grade have been learning about their personal responsibilities within their community and the conflict escalator. Make sure to talk to them about how they can escalate (go up the escalator) or de-escalate (go down the escalator) a conflict.
February 14-18th is Respect for All week citywide. As part of our schools celebration we will be having a Fun Friday on February 18th. In our school no one learns or plays alone! Stay tuned to learn more about the fun activities we have planned throughout the week.
On January 30th students gathered together to celebrate Lunar New Year in our school. There was a variety of crafts being made throughout the building, including envelopes, dragons and lanterns. Teachers and counselors even worked together to teach students about this holiday. Mr. Martuccio's door was decorated by students in honor of the day! Check out some pictures below of some of the celebrations.
November and December
Hello Families! A lot has been happening here at THE public school 13. All November the counselors presented lessons relating to Self Control. They learned techniques related to practicing self control such as deep breathing, mindfulness and positive self talk. In the Fourth and Fifth grade students were put to a self control challenge using fidget toys. Be sure to ask your fourth and fifth graders how they did on the challenge and about the Marshmallow test! We are posting a related video about the marshmallow challenge below so you can learn more about why Self Control is such an important skills for children to learn. You can even try out the marshmallow test at home!
In December we will be back in classrooms. Kindergarten and First grade will learn more about mindfulness by creating a sensory glitter jar. Second grade and up will learn about families and how they are all unique.
Be sure to join us December 6th at 6pm for our Parent Workshop on Positive Parenting. One person who joins can win a gift card in a raffle at the end!
The link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89475295754?pwd=bFpUemJXZW1Yemg1Z1c0dHhkWC96QT09
As always, please feel free to reach out to the counseling department with any questions. We are here to help!
Don't Eat the Marshmallow! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0yhHKWUa0g&t=333s
October theme: Online Safety
October is Cyberbullying awareness month. With this in mind, here at P.S. 13 the School Counselors have been presenting lessons on the topic of online safety. Throughout the month we are going to each class and discussing topics related to what to share online, what to do if you or someone you know is being bullied and common scams. We are sharing resources with you below so you can be aware of ways to keep your children safe.
Child Sex Abuse & Online Exploitation Prevention Workshop on October 26 at 6:00pm.
Thank your for all who joined our parent workshop! Our next workshop will take place December 7th at 6pm via zoom. See you then!
Resources:
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
Back to School is here!
This year the Counseling Department looks a bit different. We have hired TWO additional counselors to support you and your children. With more support, we will be able to do even more in the school and in the community. We are so excited to get started.
Ms. Ling will be working with our Kindergarten and 1st grade families. Feel free to reach her by email at JLing2@schools.nyc.gov
Mr. Cruz will be working with our 2nd and 3rd grade families. Feel free to reach him by email at ACruz45@schools.nyc.gov
Ms. Kump will be working with our 4th and 5th grade families. Feel free to reach her by email at CKump@schools.nyc.gov
Summer Vacation!
Summer is here but beware of the summer slide, the decline in reading abilities and other academic skills that can occur over the summer when school isn't in session. Check out the tips below to make sure you are reinforcing and supporting learning all summer long.
5 Fun Ways to Reinforce Learning During the Summer Months.docx
Enjoy the time with your families! We can't wait to hear how you spent your summer break in September.
Your Counselors,
Ms. Callender and Ms. Kump
Self Care
Self Care
Self-Care 1.docx **** This one have the most tips and videos you can utilize immediately!
30 Things We Can Do For Our Emotional Health:
30ThingsWeCanDoForOurEmotionalHealthSELResourceSheet 1.pdf
Adult Handbook on How to Talk to Teens:
Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
Coping with Stress During an Outbreak SAMHSA 1.pdf
Coronavirus Anxiety Workbook (an amazing resource that lets you create a plan for yourself!)
Coronavirus-Anxiety-Workbook.pdf
Managing Stress
covid-19-managing-stress-anxiety.pdf
Mental Health Tips
COVID-19-Mental-Health-Tips-HSPH 1.pdf
Hotlines
For kids:
Books- dave-the-dog-coronavirus-1-1 1.pdf
CDC Coping After a Disaster storybook 1.pdf
Coronavirus_ABookForChildren.pdf
Coping skills -A-TO-Z-OF-CALMING-TECHNIQUES.pdf