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Schools Out! I'm Out!
Posted by Justina Rodriguez on 6/3/2021 11:00:00 AM
Have a great summer Gryphon's! Just like you, I will be out of the office for summer vacation. Communication will be limited, but if you email me, I will respond as soon as I can. I hope you all have a great and safe summer!
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Week 10 Self- Management
Posted by Justina Rodriguez on 10/26/2020Hello Families:
The next 8-week Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons will target Self-Management. Starting the week of October 26th, SEL videos will be located in the Social Studies Asynchronous Friday folder. So please make sure that your child looks for the video and questions in their Social Studies folder on Friday’s. The video and questions should be viewed and answered after students complete their assignment for Social Studies.
This week (week of 10/26/2020) we will discuss Resilient Zone (hand-brain model).
This topic is important to students because the resilient zone is where we function as the most optimal version of ourselves. Today we are going to discuss the hand/brain model, how we end up “off line”, but most importantly how we get back on-line aka the resilient zone. Off-line is a term we use to describe things that cause stress. On-line or the resilient zone is when we do not feel stress and can make thoughtful and rational decisions. We are going through a variety of challenging times that may include, changes to our traditional school schedules, loss of family members or pets, and/or social distancing as suggested by COVID 19 protocol. We’d like to help you understand how your brain functions in both situations. When we are experiencing hard things, we are not typically functioning as the best version of ourselves.
One of the resources we used this week was a Hand brain model video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTnCMxEnnv8
At the end of the activity we challenged students to reflect on a few questions related to this lesson. They were:
The breathing technique used in this video is something called a rapid reset. In a few weeks you will learn more about those and how to use them when you’re off-line and need to get back on- line.
We are faced with hard things often, and maybe you’ve experienced something today that has caused you to be off-line. I encourage you to try the breathing exercise you observed to help you get to your resilient zone.
We encourage you to discuss this topic with your child this week.
Please remember, if you or your family needs support you can contact us:
Please remember, if you or your family needs support you can contact us:
Shamika Cole: 6th grade School Counselor shamika.cole@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Justina Rodriguez: 7th grade School Counselor Justina.rodriguez@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Shana Harris: 8th grade School Counselor shana.harris@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Andrea Price: Empower Counselor andrea.price@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Sarah Jones: School Social Worker sarah.jones@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Kristin Broome: School Nurse Kristin.broome@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Chelsea Blue: School Psychologist Chelsea.blue@cabarrus.k12.nc.us )
If you are concerned about you or your child’s life or safety you can contact DayMark’s Mobile Crisis Unit at 1.866.275.9552, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.8255 or 911.
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Week 9 Emotional Regulation
Posted by Justina Rodriguez on 10/12/2020Hello Families:
Every week your child will be engaged in a social-emotional learning lesson designed to help all students build resilience, expand coping skills, improve social relationships and achieve goals.
This week (week of 10/12/2020) we will discuss Regulating Emotions.
This topic is important to students because throughout each day we all experience a range of emotions. From the time we wake up through the time we go to bed different experiences and emotions happen. Sometimes suddenly or unexpectedly. Sometimes our emotions catch us off guard. Being able to identify and understand your range of emotions will help you manage those emotions. Leah Kuypers organizes our emotions into “zones”. Understanding what “zone” our emotions are in is the first step to managing or “regulating” our emotions so we can return to a calm state where we can think and communicate clearly.
One of the resources we used this week was Introduction to the Zones of Regulation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zooEmGxhkMc&t=26s
At the end of the activity we challenged students to reflect on a few questions related to this lesson. They were:
- We need a wide range of emotions throughout our day to help us manage many different scenarios.
- It is healthy to move in and out of different zones?
- Think about a time that you felt really down. How did your body feel? What were your thoughts? How did it impact your day? How long did it last?
- Now think through the same questions for a time you felt really excited, anxious, angry or frustrated.
How did you ‘regulate’ or handle that emotion? What did you do to get yourself back into a calm feeling or back to the “green zone”?
We encourage you to discuss this topic with your child this week.
Please remember, if you or your family needs support you can contact us:
Please remember, if you or your family needs support you can contact us:
Shamika Cole: 6th grade School Counselor shamika.cole@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Justina Rodriguez: 7th grade School Counselor Justina.rodriguez@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Shana Harris: 8th grade School Counselor shana.harris@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Andrea Price: Empower Counselor andrea.price@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Sarah Jones: School Social Worker sarah.jones@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Kristin Broome: School Nurse Kristin.broome@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Chelsea Blue: School Psychologist Chelsea.blue@cabarrus.k12.nc.us )
If you are concerned about you or your child’s life or safety you can contact DayMark’s Mobile Crisis Unit at 1.866.275.9552, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.8255 or 911.
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Week 6 Who Am I?
Posted by Justina Rodriguez on 9/21/2020Hello Gryphon Family,
Every week your child will be engaged in a social-emotional learning lesson (SEL) designed to help all students build resilience, expand coping skills, improve social relationships, and achieve goals.
This week (9/21/2020) we will discuss Social Justice- Who am I?
This topic is important to students because It’s important for them to know themselves so that they don’t get lost or caught up trying to follow the crowd. This lesson focuses on who students are individually, how students identify themselves, and what’s important to them- values, beliefs, etc.
One of the resources we used this week was a video clip on I Am Limitless: Poem on Identity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5CLnmN2QcQ
At the end of the activity we challenged students to reflect on a few questions related to this lesson. They were:
1)Where Have You Been in Your Lifetime?
2) What defines you?
3)What are your goals for this year and the future?
4) What obstacles have you overcome?
5) What do you really care about?
Here is the full pre-recorded video on Self-Awareness:
https://www.loom.com/share/dee
We encourage you to discuss this topic with your child this week.
Please remember if you or your family needs support you can contact us:
Shamika Cole: 6th grade School Counselor shamika.cole@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Justina Rodriguez: 7th grade School Counselor Justina.rodriguez@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Shana Harris: 8th grade School Counselor shana.harris@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Andrea Price: Empower Counselor andrea.price@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Sarah Jones: School Social Worker sarah.jones@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Kristin Broome: School Nurse Kristin.broome@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Chelsea Blue: School Psychologist Chelsea.blue@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
If you are concerned about you or your child’s life or safety you can contact DayMark’s Mobile Crisis Unit at 1.866.275.9552, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.8255 or 911.
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Week 5 Self-Care
Posted by Justina Rodriguez on 9/13/2020 1:00:00 AMHello Families:
This week (week 5 – 9/14/2020) we will be discussing Self-Care.
This topic is important to students because life can become very stressful at times. We deal with difficult situations such as stress from school, difficulty with our peers or other relationships, stress from home etc. We all have experienced stress through this pandemic and self-care is especially important now as we think about ways to take care of ourselves and work through this difficult time. Practicing self-care helps each of us to maintain a physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally healthy lifestyle.
One of the resources we used this week was a video on Middle School Self-Care https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzxDYwTarzw
At the end of the activity we challenged students to reflect on a few questions related to this lesson. They were:
- What are some of the stressful situations you are currently experiencing or have experienced?
- How have these things affected you in your daily life?
- What are some of the things you have used to take care of yourself to help balance those difficult things?
- What are things you do for yourself that have helped you maintain healthy physical, mental and emotional well-being?
- Are there people you can reach out to for help if you are struggling with identifying positive self-care techniques?
Here is the full pre-recorded video on Self-Care: https://www.loom.com/share/efc38aa78ecc4af4aa63984fefe9b9dd
Here is a list of resources and ideas for self-care.
We encourage you to discuss this topic with your child this week.
Please remember, if you or your family needs support you can contact us:
Shamika Cole: 6th grade School Counselor shamika.cole@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Justina Rodriguez: 7th grade School Counselor Justina.rodriguez@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Shana Harris: 8th grade School Counselor shana.harris@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Andrea Price: Empower Counselor andrea.price@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Sarah Jones: School Social Worker sarah.jones@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Kristin Broome: School Nurse Kristin.broome@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Chelsea Blue: School Psychologist Chelsea.blue@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
If you are concerned about you or your child’s life or safety you can contact DayMark’s Mobile Crisis Unit at 1.866.275.9552, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.8255 or 911.
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Week 3 Goal Setting (Mobilizing Strength)
Posted by Justina Rodriguez on 9/2/2020Parent and Family Outreach Newsletter
Hello Families:
Every week your child will be engaged in a social-emotional learning lesson designed to help all students build resilience, expand coping skills, improve social relationships and achieve goals.
This week (week 3 – 08/31/2020) we will be discussing Goal Setting (Mobilizing Strengths).
This topic is important to students because setting goals is an important skill both in and out of school.
One of the resources we used this week was a video on goal-setting for students http://www.viewpure.com/E8agsaXfHN4?ref=search
At the end of the activity we challenged students to reflect on a few questions related to this lesson. They were:
- What’s your goal?
- What’s your motivation?
- Can you break down the goal into smaller parts?
- Write down your goal to visualize and track your progress.
Here is the full pre-recorded lesson - https://www.loom.com/share/6c8e9710260448ebb5747f7bf92100a2We encourage you to discuss this topic with your child this week.
Please remember, if you or your family needs support you can contact us:
Please remember, if you or your family needs support you can contact us:
Shamika Cole: 6th grade School Counselor shamika.cole@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Justina Rodriguez: 7th grade School Counselor Justina.rodriguez@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Shana Harris: 8th grade School Counselor shana.harris@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Andrea Price: Empower Counselor andrea.price@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Sarah Jones: School Social Worker sarah.jones@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Kristin Broome: School Nurse Kristin.broome@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Chelsea Blue: School Psychologist Chelsea.blue@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
If you are concerned about you or your child’s life or safety you can contact DayMark’s Mobile Crisis Unit at 1.866.275.9552, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.8255 or 911.
Here is the full pre-recorded lesson - 
Phone: (919) 589-6859
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
BA in Psychology MSEd in School Counseling
Miss Justina Rodriguez
Hello 7th graders! I am very excited to experience the 2020-2021 school year with you! This is my first year as a Gyphon and I am very excited to get to know the C.C. Griffin community and to get to know all of YOU!
I was born and raised in the Bronx, New York. I went to college at the State University of New York in New Paltz, which is up in the Catskills of the beautiful "Big Apple" state, where I received my Bachelor's of Arts in Psychology. Then I continued my education at the City University of New York, Hunter College, where I received my Master's in Science Education in School Counseling. I recently relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina this summer and I am very excited to be here an explore this beautiful Carolina state.
I know this school year is unique. I am here to help you. I believe with kindess and compassion as a community we will be successful TOGETHER!
Click here for the School Counselor request form
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Hi and welcome to my bitmoji office. Here you can find a referral to request to speak to your School Counselor (just click the whiteboard). If you need a brain break or to destress there are two videos for you to enjoy. Just click the computer monitor of the picture frame above the windows to watch them. Bye!
