Waters Landing Counseling and Social Emotional Learning Corner

    Counseling Staff:

    Ms. Nikki Jesse- Counselor

    Mrs. Diyana J Sanders-Gunaratnam- Counselor

     

      Mission Statement

      

    		 The role of the school counselor is to act as a leader, advocate, team member, consultant to teachers, parents, and community stakeholders, and most importantly as a supportive, caring counselor to students. The Counseling Program at Waters Landing Elementary School encourages academic, social, and career development. The counselor is an advocate for all students and strives to assist in the development of the skills and knowledge needed to contribute to a diverse, dynamic society by encouraging access, equity and social justice. Professional School Counselors are leaders who advocate, collaborate, and facilitate individual and system change to ensure every student has the knowledge and skills necessary for academic success and personal growth.

    Counseling Services | Solving Problems | Helpful Links

    DEBUG Steps

    We want to work hard to be good friends to each other!

    Things that friends do:

    • Help
    • Show they care about other's feelings
    • Share
    • Compliment others
    • Be nice
    • Say sorry and work it out with kind words
    • Smile at others
    • Stand up for each other
    • Say nice things to each other
    • Use good manners and be polite
    • Show respect
    • Include others

    Things that friends DO NOT do:

    • Say mean things like "shut-up" or "I hate you"
    • Brag
    • Boss others around
    • Laugh at others
    • Interrupt or talk when others are talking
    • Tattle (tell on someone just to get them in trouble)
    • Leave people out
    • Push, kick, hit, punch, etc.
    • Hurt each other's feelings
    • Make fun of others or tease
    • Call someone a name they do not like
    • Threaten ("If you don't _____, then I will ____!")

     

    SEL Specialist:

    Alex Watkins

    Zones of Regulation Slide Show 

    SEL lessons are taught to each class on an A-B schedule. 

    WLES Core Values

    • Respectful
    • Responsible 
    • Safe

    Zones of Regulation: Emotional regulation is essential for leading a healthy and meaningful life. The Zones of Regulationempowers learners of all ages to understand the full range of their feelings, as well as explore tools and strategies to support their well-being.  

    Zones of Regulation Visual

    Why Teach Self-Regulation?

    Regulation is something everyone continually works on whether we are aware of it or not. We all encounter trying circumstances that can test our limits. If we can recognize when we are becoming less regulated, we are able to do something about it to manage our feelings and get ourselves to a healthy place. This comes more naturally for some, but for others it is a skill that needs more attention and practice. This is the goal of The Zones of Regulation​.

    Sorting out Emotions into 4 Zones

    Feelings are complicated. They come in different sizes, intensities, and levels of energy that are unique within our brains and bodies. To make them easier to talk about, think about, and regulate, The Zones of Regulation organizes our feelings, states of alertness, and energy levels into four colored Zones – Blue, Green, Yellow, and Red. The simple, common language and visual structure of The Zones of Regulation helps make the complex skill of regulation more concrete for learners and those who support them. We learn to regulate our Zones to meet our goals and task demands, as well as support our overall well-being.

    All the Zones are Ok

    A core belief of The Zones of Regulation is that all the Zones are okay. We routinely experience several of the Zones across a day. It’s critically important that we don’t convey the message that the Green Zone is the only acceptable Zone to be in. Acknowledge, accept, and support these feelings, never make anyone feel like the Green Zone is the norm.

    The Green Zone is not the goal. 

    As adults often co-regulating with others, we can support learners in regulating their feelings and Zones with compassion, free of expectations or contingencies for being in, or returning to, the Green Zone. While the Green Zone often gives us a feeling of comfort, calm, and connectedness inside of our bodies, use of The Zones in your setting should not project any value of The Green Zone above the other colored Zones. We have evolved our language to say “taking care of our Zones,” “managing/regulating our Zones” to ensure learners don’t feel pressure to be in The Green Zone.