THE NEW CURRICULUM TAB OFFERS
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LESSONS FOR KIDS
​plus AN ACCESS CODE FOR THE COUNSELING CLASS ON SCHOOLOGY
Monthly Focus  //  March 2020

Answers to your questions about the new coronavirus

What is the role of the elementary school counselor?

The elementary school years set the foundation for developing the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary for children to become healthy, competent, and confident learners. Elementary school counselors have an impact on these years by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program and collaborating with school staff, parents, and the community to create a safe and respectful learning environment. By providing education, prevention, early identification, and intervention, elementary school counselors help their students achieve academic success, develop an understanding of career opportunities and develop social/emotional skills in response to issues they face.
- American School Counselor Association, 2017 -

talking to kids about the coronavirus

Monthly Focus  //  march 2020

News about the coronavirus has infiltrated national headlines. This may have led to more curiosity and discussions about how this new virus will affect the public. The Child Mind Institute has come up with some talking points to have with your children. These include:
  • Not being afraid to talk about the coronavirus
  • Discussions should be developmentally appropriate
  • Take cues from your children - don't encourage frightening fantasizes
  • Keep your own anxieties in mind
  • Make sure you are reassuring about the virus
  • Focus on the things you are doing to be safe
  • Do not change your routine
  • Keep an open line of communication with your children
The website has a helpful video about communicating with your children. I would highly recommend you become informed so you can be the voice of stability in a world that may seem a little out of sorts. The website can be reached at Child Mind Institute (https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/)

"Kids worry more when they're kept in the dark." - Rachel Ehmke, managing editor at the Child Mind Institute

5 Top resources: Counseling

resources  //  2019-20 School year

​These resources are links to sites that can provide additional help and support for you and your child(ren). 

ABOUT ME

My name is Michele D'Avignon. Most of the students just call me Ms. D (it's a lot easier than D'Avignon). This is my third year working as a school counselor. I have the great honor of counseling at Diamond Valley. The students at this school display a wide variety of characteristics that keep me moving. Before getting my Master's Degree from Utah State University, I worked as classroom teacher at Lava Ridge Intermediate School for 10 years. I was privileged to work as a Special Education teacher, English as a Second Language (ESL) Coordinator, At-Risk teacher, Social Studies teacher, and Language Arts teacher over the course of my tenure. 
As a counselor, I will be working with your child to develop social/emotional skills to help them succeed at school. This process requires classroom lessons, small group sessions, and individual counseling. Working with students at the elementary level gives me the opportunity to instill important traits before they move to secondary school. 

Educational links​

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