Dear RBE Families,
We have missed your children in our halls and are so glad to see you and your children today.  We realize that everyone has mixed feelings about this, varying from excitement to anxiety to fear.  We understand and we will get through this together.  We are taking every precaution to keep everyone safe.   Here are few tips to help ease the transition back to in-seat learning.

Validate, Listen and Be supportive
As parents it will be important to listen to your child’s concerns and, even if the emotions are extreme, express understanding and empathy. Letting the child know you understand and appreciate their perspective will help start up a dialogue for problem solving.
 
Be honest and encouraging, rather than reassuring
 Some children will need assurance that there are precautions in place to reduce the risk of spreading germs to both students and staff at our school.  If your child is anxious and continues to need reassurance, you can help them think of ways to calm themselves, with a positive thought, or taking calming breaths.
 
Praise your child for being courageous
Let your child know you are proud of them for going to school even though they are nervous.  At the end of each day, ask about what are two positive things that happened in their day.
 
Model good coping behaviors for your child.
Your child will look to you to determine how they should cope through this process. How you handle your fears and approach the topic of returning to school will have an impact on how your child views and reacts to their situation.
 
It is ok to express to your child, that you are nervous too and share the coping skills you use…maybe it’s taking a deep breath, imagine a place that makes you feel calm, or saying a positive thought to yourself.
 
Take care of yourself
As, Gary Landreth, says “You can’t fill from and empty well”.  Being a parent (or child) is challenging enough and the stress of the pandemic can take its toll.   Remember to find things that bring you joy each day! Make sure you and your children get plenty of sleep, eat healthy snacks and exercise.
 
Know your limits
Remember it is ok, not to be ok and to reach out to personal and professional support systems.  Our school counselor is here to support students and families as well.
 
Focus on the Donut, not the Hole.
Remember to focus on what is going well in your life, with your children, your job, and even your parenting skills. It is easy to get caught up in what’s going wrong and miss out on all that is going so right! This is true for children as well.

Adapted from https://www.anxietycanada.com/articles/7-tips-for-educators-returning-to-school-during-covid-19/

Thank you,
Ryan Smith
rysmith@cpsk12.org.
School Counselor Rock Bridge Elementary

Dear Rock Bridge Elementary Families,
 
​At RBE we are committed to the whole child and their family.  Because of our belief that children learn better when their needs are met, we wanted to reach out and let you know of some resources designed to help children and families.  
 
We are certainly in unprecedented times and many families find that accessing resources is more important than ever.  We are committed to helping families confidentially access any resources that might be helpful.  Some commonly accessed resources are found in the attachment below.

I am Ryan Smith and I am the school counselor at Rock Bridge Elementary. Even though we are not meeting in person at this time, I am available for RBE students and families.  I will post various resources on this page throughout the year.  Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you or your student!

WHAT DOES A SCHOOL COUNSELOR DO?

School counselors are certified/licensed educators who improve student success by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program.

​Elementary School Counselors Assist Students by:

• Providing academic achievement strategies.
• Helping students manage emotions and apply interpersonal skills.

School Counselor Activities:

• Deliver school counseling classroom lessons.
• Help students solve problems and set goals.
• Provide short-term counseling for students.
• Provide referrals for longer support and/or counseling needs that are outside the scope of a school counselor's role.
• Collaborate with families/teachers/administrators/community for student success.
• Advocate for students' needs.
• Analyze data to identify student issues, needs and challenges.

Elementary School Counselor Publication - Last Day of School edition

Calm Down Tool Box

This week’s publication focuses on positive thinking.  Also included is the Big Life Journal Time Capsule.  See links below!  

Download file above for a middle school scavenger hunt and combination lock tutorial.

​6th grade transition information for the 2020-2021 school year – Welcome to Middle School!
 
Middle School Counselors would like to invite all 5th graders to join a zoom meeting to meet their school counselors for next year and learn more about the middle school schedule and experience. Please join your middle school for one of the times offered.
Meetings are Thursday, May 7 at 10:00 am or 1:00 pm.  Use the links below for your middle school.
 
Gentry Middle School zoom
Jefferson Middle School zoom
John Warner Middle School zoom
Lange Middle School zoom
Oakland Middle School zoom
Smithton Middle School zoom
West Middle School zoom
 
Middle School Principals would also like to share some building specific welcome information that will be posted on the afternoon of May 11th. Visit your student’s future middle school’s website for those videos.
 
Gentry Middle School www.cpsk12.org/gms
Jefferson Middle School www.cpsk12.org/jms
John Warner Middle School www.cpsk12.org/jwms
Lange Middle School www.cpsk12.org/lms
Oakland Middle School www.cpsk12.org/oms
Smithton Middle School www.cpsk12.org/sms
West Middle School www.cpsk12.org/wms
 
Looking forward to learning and sharing with you all!
 
(If you have moved or are unsure of which school you will be attending in the fall use the district website to locate your school.  https://www.cpsk12.org/Page/12874)

​Scientists at Washington State University recently published a 2019 study indicating that just 10 minutes of interacting with cats and dogs significantly reduces stress (Pendry & Vandagriff).

Financial assistance for residents who have experienced unemployment or partial unemployment due to COVID-19 is now available through the Salvation Army.
Money from the charitable organization’s reserves, combined with a grant awarded by CoMo-Helps, which is funded by several community service organizations and Boone County, will help with rent, mortgage or utilities, the Salvation Army wrote in a news release.
To apply for assistance residents will need to provide statements from their employer, landlord or utility company as of April 1. They must also reside in Boone County.
Contact Anthony Johnson at 573-442-3229, ext. 240 or by email at Anthony.Johnson@usc. salvationarmy.org between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday to apply or for more information.