Counseling Lessons
Safer, Smarter Kids
Beginning in October, all University Park students will be receiving lessons to fulfill the educational mandate in the Alaska Safe Children's Act (Bree's Law and Erin's Law). The FNSBSD selected Safer, Smarter Kids for use in all district elementary schools. The lessons include general safety and smart choices as well as personal safety and body boundaries. Younger grades (K-2) will discuss safe vs. unsafe secrets and tattling vs. reporting while older students (grades 3-5) will explore digital safety, bully prevention and being part of a community.
As a parent / guardian, you have the right to opt your child out of receiving the lessons that deal with personal safety (Lesson 3 or 4 depending on grade level).
August/September in Counseling
Our counseling lessons this month are focused on building community, getting to know what the counselor does and introducing the Zones of Regulation. In addition, each grade level is learning about the following:
Kindergarten: Learning how to Listen and use good school manners
First Grade: Naming our emotions
Second Grade: Figuring out the size of a problem and how to bounce back from setbacks
Third Grade: Identifying the size of a problem, and differentiating what is in my control and what is out of my control
Fourth Grade: Learning about our brains and why our emotions can make us "Flip our Lid", and tools to re-engage our thinking brain.
Fifth Grade: How to set SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-bound goals, and how to make a plan to get there.