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School Counselling at CCS


Mrs. Schinkel

Office Hours: Wednesday and Thursday 1:00 - 3:00

Membership Meeting Slideshow - click HERE

Struggling to motivate you kids... (or yourself)?

April 30, 2020

Are there days where your kids just do NOT want to do their learning from home? Where you are trying to encourage and motivate them, without loosing your patience? I am sure we all have days right now, where we are just not motivated to do things, and this can lead to some pretty negative thoughts about life! People’s Church Hamilton had a fun video for kids that explored the idea of how to stay positive and focus on “the donut, rather than the donut hole” (what we have, rather than what is missing)!

Tips for motivating kids:

Be flexible
Be patient
Be creative and try to make it fun
Offer choices
Create checklists/calendars/schedules
Find inspirational quotes/bible verses (see below)
Negotiate and problem solve goals together
Use First (what needs to be done)/Then (what we want to do) (but avoid threats to get work done)
Validate their feelings
- I understand that this is hard/sad/frustrating...because it’s different/it's going on so long/we can’t see the end...I got you/we are in this together...Let’s put our heads together and figure this out
- Does this need to be done today?
- Can we choose a different activity?
- Come back to it later or do it tomorrow?
- Teachers are putting a lot of work into this for us, let’s try
If all else fails...LEAVE IT FOR ANOTHER DAY!! And try it again tomorrow!

Tips for motivating yourself:

The above tips and tricks can leave any parent feeling exhausted and can lead us to loose our cool every now and then. It’s ok to be a “good enough” parent! Can I Be a Good Parent and a Good Professional during Covid-19
Be kind to yourself when you mess up and ask forgiveness from your kids (they see how we can correct our mistakes and they can learn from us)
Remember SELF CARE - we can’t give from an empty cup...no time? Do one small thing for yourself each day!
Stop comparing yourself to what you see others doing on social media!
Lower your expectations for yourself and your kids (If you keep that bar low, you will have more successes in your day!)
This too shall pass!

Mental Health Resources - COVID 19 Response

April 16, 2020

Mental health and wellbeing is of such great importance and has an impact on all of us, especially at this time of uncertainty in our world. Below is a list of resources for you to browse. In addition, Mrs. Schinkel, school counsellor, will be available with limited hours, typically on Wednesday's and Thursday's for email and phone consultation.

Some thoughts to consider:

We are all in a place of unknowing.
We all respond to crisis differently.
Rest in the peace that Christ can give.
Take time for your own self care as a parent; as we cannot give from an empty cup!
Be gracious with yourself and others and give yourself permission to keep things simple.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, take a break, including limiting the news/social media.
Communicate with your spouse/partner/other support people of what you need.
Be real and honest with your struggles! It is ok not to have it all figured out or to feel happy all the time!
Keep low expectations of yourself and others.
Take it one day at a time and continue to give it all over to God!

Crisis Response Resources:

COAST (Crisis Outreach Support Team) Hamilton

905-972-8338 or 1-844-972-8338

KidsHelp.ca (text, phone, live chat, and resources available)

1-888-668-6868
911
Go to McMaster Children's Hospital ER: CHYMES (Child and Youth Mental Health Emergency Services)

Local Virtual Counselling:

Shalem Mental Health (Faith Based)
Bayridge Counselling Centres (request Faith Based)
Bounce Back (for adults and youth aged 15+)

Mental Health Resources:

Zones of Regulation

January 2020

Some of you may have heard your kids talking about OCEAN BREATHING or SQUEEZIES!!
Over the last few months, I have been visiting the classrooms with the Occupational Therapist, Nicole Raftis, teaching students about emotion regulation, using concepts from the Zones of Regulation. This is part of a school wide initiative to increase social and emotional well-being by learning how to label, express, and manage emotions. There are 3-4 main concepts that are being taught.

Emotions and our Brains: The hand model of the brain (Dr. Dan Siegal) is used to explain that when emotions get too big, our thinking/problem solving part of our brain can get pushed “offline”.

Video to explain hand model of the brain

The Zones of Regulation: understanding the feelings in the four zones (blue, green, yellow, red)

Zones of Regulation Explained

Yellow Zones Tools: discovering new ways to calm our feelings and bodies, so we can think and problem solve (getting our thinking brains back “online”). Understanding that all emotions are ok but not all actions are okay. Each class comes up with their own list of tools and practices them in the moment.
Recognizing how thoughts, feelings, body sensations, and actions are connected and how this can be helpful in managing our responses to difficult situations. (Gr.6-8)

Bullying Awareness and Prevention

November 17-23, 2019

This week is Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, Ontario Ministry of Education
Here are some of the resources teachers are using to address this important topic:

Ontario Ministry of Education - Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week

Psychology Today - "Is it rude, is it mean, or is it bullying?"