From Your School Counselors

5/25/20

From the Counselors

Coping Skill Spotlight: Positive Affirmations 


Image retrieved 4/29/2020 from Lakehouse Recovery Center Have you said to yourself a positive statement when you are feeling stressed, nervous, excited, angry, frustrated, or happy? If yes, you are practicing positive affirmations! You can challenge negative thinking or unnecessary thoughts when you practice repeating a positive phrase, quote or word to yourself. 
Positive affirmations can help you when you are not feeling motivated, when you are seeking positive changes in your life, or if you want to work on your confidence. Counter negative self-talk with positive affirmations. 
Set yourself alarms on your phone with a positive affirmation (I am strong). Post sticky notes throughout your room and in your bathroom (I am doing my best). Write in a journal (I am grateful for all that I have). Draw, doodle, paint, color. (I am proud of myself). Visit Positive Psychology to learn more about positive affirmations and the research behind the practice.Take a moment to appreciate how awesome you are. Yeah, you! 

5/2/2020

Please click below for this week's message from your counselors.

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April 25, 2020

Hello from your Counselors!

We miss you and hope you are doing well! Please remember you can email your counselor anytime. We can also set up video chats with you. Just let us know what you need and what works best for you and your family. These are difficult times for many people and we are here for you. We’re sharing the following information with you, our Mount View Falcons and school community, because we care about each of you. Be safe and stay well.

If you have an immediate need for help with depression, suicidal thoughts, or other serious mental health issues, please contact:

  • Grassroots Crisis Intervention at 410-531-6677
  • The Maryland Crisis Hotline: Dial 211 and then choose option 1
  • The Crisis Text Line:  Text 741741 and a trained counselor will respond.
  • The National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 

April 15, 2020

A Message from your Counselors

3 tips for VIRTUAL success in the classroom!

As we adjust to our new virtual classrooms, it can be helpful to have a plan to help us stay organized and focused.  

  • Create a Regular Working Space
    • ​Find a working space that you can use daily that is quiet and distraction-free.  Make sure it is well lit and comfortable (but not too comfy!) If available, sit in a chair instead of choosing to lay on a bed or the floor.  This can help increase your focus.
  • Eliminate Distractions
    • Turn off mobile phones and TV.  Some background music can be relaxing, but it is important that it is not too loud.  If you find yourself singing along to the lyrics, it’s a distraction!  A distraction-free environment allows you to be more present and able to concentrate on the work in front of you versus the noise or space around you.
  • Create a Weekly/Schedule
    • A routine is very helpful when learning virtually.  Use a planner or schedule template to help you keep track of due dates, classroom check-in’s, as well as other tasks that you need to complete throughout the week.  Set reminders to help you remember important meeting times.
    • Print a hardcopy schedule and fill it in each week.  If you do not have access to a printer, you can create your own schedule on a piece of paper.  
    • Consider using the Organizer provided by Ms. Moore
    • *Remember to make a copy before you begin to edit.

Distance Learning Organizer Link 

Take a Mindful Moment

Practice mindfulness as a family
Mindfulness, explains David Anderson, PhD, a clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute, is “Anything that helps everyone take a moment to slow down, stay present, and come together.” Designating time to practice mindful activities as a family will help everyone feel less anxious. It could be a daily family yoga session, or a quiet walk in the woods as a group- (obviously this can be tricky if you aren’t near a trail these days), taking time to focus on the way the air feels, the sound of the birds and the smell of the trees. If you can’t take a walk, even sitting in the backyard can help you accomplish this goal.  Another good family mindfulness idea is asking everyone to mention one good thing they heard or saw that day over dinner.  We like to call this hi/lo or thorns and roses.  We suggest starting with the thorn or the low so you always end on a good note.

A Note about Counselor Office Hours

We miss you and are here for you!  Please remember that counselors offer daily office hours to best support all MVMS students.  
Monday - Friday from 9:30am - 11:30am and from 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Don’t hesitate to contact your counselor to set up an appointment or ask a question!
Mrs. Adams (6th grade counselor) denise_adams@hcpss.org
Mrs. O’Ferral (7th grade counselor) koferrall@hcpss.org 
Mrs. Marton (8th grade counselor) patricia_marton@hcpss.org

From Ms. Felix, School Psychologist

I hope you and your families are doing well during this time!  I miss seeing you and your smiling faces. Beginning next week, I will be holding daily office hours from 1:30-2:30 pm.  During this time I will have appointments available to meet virtually with parents, staff, and students in order to answer questions or address other concerns about students.  Meetings will take place via Google Meet or over the phone. If you are interested in setting up an appointment with me, you can email me directly at jessica_felix@hcpss.org with your preferred day(s) of the week, a brief description of your needs, and how long you anticipate our meeting should last.  I will schedule you into my next available appointment and respond with a meeting link.

I look forward to hearing from you and miss you!