Counselor's Corner

Counselor's Corner

What is KSSN?
Kent School Services Network

KSSN Works, supports students and families, by connecting them to resources and services to help each child be successful. The community coordinator at Townline, Courtney Burrows, is available to help support your family with basic needs, mental health services, and other family concerns/needs.

To get in touch with Courtney, contact your school, teacher, or email Courtney at courtney.burrows@kentwoodps.org

KSSN Support:

  • Mental Health Services
  • Food Needs
  • Housing Concerns
  • Clothing Needs
  • Hygiene item needs

 

March 4, 2021

Talk together as a family about something you can’t do YET,
but hope to when you show GRIT and keep working at it!
Remind yourselves that there were many things we had to learn to do well
over time (tie shoe, zip coat, buckle seat belt, etc.)
Then draw pictures or act it out.
This helps us to value the process of learning.

Adults, this is a good time to disclose to your kids what you are working to get
better at, as well as things you had to work hard to become more successful.
Being able to accept and acknowledge what we still need to work on makes us
have strong character.
Click on the link below to hear Michael Jordan
remind us that failures drive success:
https://edpuzzle.com/
media/5f431978c86b073f16d05d14

 

November 20,2018
Random acts of kindness are just what their name suggests– actions, big or small, that are kind to others, and anyone can do them! It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old , rich or poor, or short or tall. Every single person can perform random acts of kindness every single day, and just one small act can inspire others to do the same and can change someone’s life for the better! Here are some examples of simple ways to perform random acts of kindness:

  • Give someone a compliment
  • Pick up litter
  • Hold a door for someone
  • Donate something to a worthy cause
  • Lend a hand to someone who needs it
  • Do an extra chore
  • Give a hug
  • Write someone a kind note
  •  Smile

Discussions to Have at  Home:

  • What random act of kindness can you do right now?
  •  How does it make you feel when you do something kind for another person?
  • Do you think random acts of kindness can change  people’s lives or make this world a friendlier place? Why or why not?

Empathy is trying to understand what another person is feeling. It is seeing the world through another’s eyes. It helps people to get along and feel better.

Having empathy is a key ingredient to becoming the best person you can be. You can practice empathy by:

  • ·Listening to someone rather than trying to talk to them
  • Asking someone how they are feeling if you think there is something wrong
  • Learning about people from different backgrounds and cultures
  • Showing care and concern for others
  • Paying attention to the needs of others
  • Getting to know someone better instead of judging them
  • Ideas on how to talk to your child about the value of being randomly kind, showing compassion, and being  empathetic...
  • What does empathy mean to you? What are some ways you have shown empathy to others?
  • What people do you know that display a lot of empathy towards others? How do they do so?

 

Good Study Habits for Elementary Students 
October 8, 2018

Here are some tips to help your child learn helpful study habits for school:
 

  • You and your child should check the backpack daily.  If the child has a planner, look at it. Ask about school.
  • Decide a good time for your child to study.  Some youngsters need a break after school, others do better by getting right to homework.  
  • Keep the Study time consistent each day.  This will create less of a power struggle, and will create a healthy habit.
  • Prepare homework space with few distractions and necessary items...water bottle? a snack? box of ready materials? This way your child can get right to work, complete it, and move on.
  • Decide on a good place to study.  Turn off the TV and limit all screentime to under 15 minutes for every hour they are home and awake.
  • Make sure that your child is focused on the work. By checking progress, asking them to show you what they are working on, showing interest and investment in wht they are learning at school.
  • Break the homework down, taking breaks if needed.

Starting good study habits now will help the child’s entire school career!

 

Growth Mindset

Our brains act like a muscle- the more we use it, the stronger and smarter it gets!
There are two approaches to learning, achievement and success.

Fixed Mindset- belief that qualities, such as intelligence, are fixed traits. An example you might hear from your child is “I’ll never be good at math”. This is a fixed mindset!

Some more examples of fixed mindset are:

  • Avoiding challenges
  • Giving up easily
  • Ignoring feedback

Growth Mindset- A person who has a growth mindset embraces challenges and believes they can achieve and be successful through hard work and dedication. Examples of growth mindset are:

  • Giving their best effort
  • Believing they can overcome obstacles
  • Learning from feedback

Ways to Encourage growth mindset at home:

  • Talk to your child about his or her day. “Did you make a mistake today? What did you learn?” “What did you do that was difficult today?”
  • ​Let your child know that it is ok to fail. Failure provides opportunities for learning!
  • Praise the process! “Wow! You have worked so hard on that!”
  • Help them change their dialogue: Instead of “I can't do this! It is too hard!” Encourage them to think “I can’t do this yet, but I will keep trying”