TK-8 Counseling Newsletter | September 2026

September is a month of new beginnings. Students are learning new routines, getting to know their classmates, discovering what they enjoy, and figuring out how to navigate the ups and downs in the beginning of the school year.

This month, we continued to focus on building our community and supporting each other in the transition of the new school year. 

It was also the start of Hispanic Heritage Month and Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, where all students received programming on mental health and celebrated Hispanic culture!

This month in EMS SOAR lessons, students learned about suicide prevention and coping skills through Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw. We talked about taking care of our bodies, minds, hearts, and spirits, and practiced strategies like deep breathing, positive self talk, and reaching out to trusted adults. Students also learned how to support a friend who's struggling and that help is always available, including 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 

💡Conversation Starter: Ask your child to share their favorite way to sharpen the saw!

This month in EES SOAR lessons, students learned about teamwork through Habit 6: Synergize. We practiced doing new puzzles in teams about why it's important to continue to practice teamwork outside of SOAR lessons. 

💡Conversation Starter: Ask your child how they syngerize with others. 

On WOW Wednesdays and FUN Fridays, elementary students engage at lunch with a question of the day by writing their answer on a cutout and taping it to a poster.

Kids are more likely to open up when they feel heard, not fixed. A simple check in can make a big difference. Try asking your student to rate how they're feeling on a scale of 1–10. Whatever number they share, respond with curiosity instead of judgment: "Thanks for telling me." If they're lower on the scale, ask, "What would help you move up even one number?" If they're at a 10, celebrate it and reflect together: "What helped you feel that way today?" This builds self-awareness and reminds them of the strategies that work for them. Most importantly, listen more than you talk, and let them know they can always come to you.

💡 Conversation Starter: On a scale of 1–10, how are you feeling today, and what's one thing that would help you feel even a little better?

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