Counselor's Corner

Hello Families,

As we step into October, our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program will center on two powerful themes: Bullying Prevention and Friendship. This month’s executive functioning focus is on perspective taking, cognitive flexibility, and social thinking — the skills that help children understand others’ viewpoints, adapt to different situations, and make choices that build healthy relationships.

In the classroom, we’ll explore what it means to be a kind, inclusive friend and how to recognize and respond to unkind or hurtful behaviors. Students will learn how their actions and words affect others, how to stand up for themselves and their peers safely, and how to seek help from a trusted adult when needed.

Our lessons emphasize that empathy and friendship take practice — and that being a good friend sometimes means seeing a situation from another person’s perspective or finding flexible ways to solve a conflict. For our younger students, we’ll use stories and role play to talk about kindness and inclusion. For our upper grades, we’ll discuss real-life scenarios about peer relationships, respect, and what it means to use your voice to make a difference.

Families play a vital role in reinforcing these lessons. Talking openly about friendship, kindness, and what to do if someone feels left out or bullied helps children build the confidence and emotional tools to handle social challenges.

Parent Resources on Bullying Prevention

1. PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center – Practical guidance on how to talk with children about bullying, help them feel supported, and take action.

2. StopBullying.gov – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Evidence-based information on how to identify, prevent, and respond to bullying in schools and online.

3. American Psychological Association: Bullying Prevention Resources – Tips and research-based strategies for parents to promote empathy, resilience, and safe school environments.

Thank you for continuing to partner with us in helping students develop empathy, flexibility, and confidence in their social world. Together, we’re creating a community where every child feels safe, connected, and valued.

Best,

Kelly Dobelstein

Hello Families,

As we wrap up September, I want to share a brief update from our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program. This month, our focus was on Kindness, with an executive functioning theme of self-regulation and impulse management. Across all grades, we explored how kindness begins with the ability to pause, recognize our emotions, and make thoughtful choices — even when things feel difficult.

In our younger grades, students practiced identifying emotions, using calming tools, and finding kind ways to solve problems with peers. Through stories, movement, and role-play, we worked on noticing big feelings and using strategies—like breathing, counting, or asking for help—to manage them.

In our upper grades, we focused on understanding stress: what it is, how it affects our minds and bodies, and how to cope in healthy, positive ways. Students learned that stress is normal, but it’s important to notice the signs early and use tools like movement, positive thinking, mindfulness, and reaching out for support. The goal was to empower students to take care of themselves and know when to seek help.

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For Elementary Parents: Supporting Emotional Regulation

1. Zones of Regulation Parent Resource – A simple framework that helps children identify their feelings and choose strategies to get back to calm.

2. PBS Kids: Teaching Emotional Regulation – Playful, developmentally appropriate ideas for helping kids name and manage big emotions.

3. Child Mind Institute: Helping Kids Calm Down – Practical guidance for parents on modeling calm and building regulation skills at home.

For Middle School Parents: Managing Stress

1. NPR Life Kit: Helping Teens Manage Stress – Tips for talking with teens about stress and helping them find balance.

2. American Academy of Pediatrics: Helping Adolescents Handle Stress – Research-based guidance on healthy coping and family connection.

3. Child Mind Institute: Recognizing and Managing Teen Stress – Ways to help middle schoolers understand what triggers stress and how to manage it effectively.

Best,

Kelly Dobelstein 

 

 

Hello Families!

As we begin this new school year, I want to share the heart behind my goals for our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program—a program designed to nurture the whole child: mind, heart, and spirit. As your school counselor, my mission is to create a space where every student feels safe, seen, and supported while learning the skills they need to grow into confident, compassionate learners.

Our SEL work this year will take a holistic approach, recognizing that academic success and emotional well-being go hand in hand. At the center of this approach are executive functioning skills—the tools our brains use to manage time, stay organized, focus attention, control impulses, and handle emotions. These are the life skills that help children plan, problem-solve, and persevere when things feel challenging.

In the classroom, this means helping students:

• Pause and think before they act (impulse control)

• Organize their ideas and materials (planning and organization)

• Stay flexible and adapt when things don’t go as planned (cognitive flexibility)

• Set goals and follow through (task initiation and persistence)

• Name and regulate emotions (self-awareness and emotional control)

But executive functioning doesn’t develop in isolation—it grows best in an environment grounded in kindness, inclusion, and connection. That’s why our SEL lessons also emphasize empathy, respect for diversity, and the power of community. We want every student to know that they belong, that their voice matters, and that mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow.

Each month, we’ll explore themes such as self-awareness, problem-solving, empathy, and resilience, using stories, classroom lessons, mindfulness practices, and collaborative projects. These experiences help students connect what they learn in school to real-life situations—on the playground, at home, and in friendships.

Families are an essential part of this journey. I encourage you to continue these conversations at home—asking about your child’s feelings, celebrating effort, and modeling strategies like taking deep breaths, using checklists, or planning ahead. Together, we can help children develop the social and thinking skills that prepare them not only for academic success, but for life.

This year, our goal is simple but powerful: to build strong minds and kind hearts.
Thank you for partnering with us in this important work.

Counselor’s Corner

As we embark on another exciting school year, I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and partnership. Together, we can create a nurturing and enriching environment for our children.

 

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Important Announcements:

• Routines Matter: Establishing consistent routines around sleep, homework, and meals is crucial for our students’ success.

• Collaboration: Our students are learning how to work together effectively both in the classroom and on the playground. Encourage your children to share their experiences at home!

• Classroom Expectations: We have revisited our classroom expectations, focusing on our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) principles of being Safe, Respectful, and Responsible. Ask your children what these values mean to them.

 

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We are thrilled to celebrate that we survived the first week of school and successfully held our Back to School Night! It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and to connect with new families. Thank you for joining us in this important kickoff to the school year!

Should you have any questions or wish to discuss anything further, please feel free to reach out. The best way to contact me (Ms. Kelly) is via email at kdobelstein@holyrosaryws.org. I am here to support you and your children.

 

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We are grateful for your ongoing support and commitment to our school community. Together, we can foster a positive and engaging learning environment for our children.