Mrs. Greif's Counselor's Corner

    "You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.  You can steer yourself in any direction you choose."- Dr. Seuss

                                                                                          Counselorpic2017

    My Schedule:

    Monday-Friday from 8:20-3:50 

    About Me

    My email: Rachel_S_Greif@mcpsmd.org  
    I am thrilled to be the school counselor at Brooke Grove ES for my seventh year! This will be my 18th year in MCPS. Prior to coming to BGES I was the school counselor at Chevy Chase Elementary School for 3 years. Before I began school counseling I was a middle school math teacher for 8 years! I knew I always wanted to become a school counselor so I am thrilled be able to do so. 
    I am full time at BGES! I have two beautiful children (ages 8 and 10).  My family is the most important thing to me and I am lucky to be able to center my life and activities around my husband, children, dog (Diggy) and extended family. I also enjoy playing field hockey and lacrosse, watching football (go, Redskins!), watching movies, reading, math, dogs, cooking, going to the beach, and spending time with friends. 
    I am so excited to work and live in the BGES Community! I look forward to working with the students, parents, and staff here at BGES. Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions regarding your children and their social/emotional and academic well- being. I believe in working as a team to achieve optimal success for every student! 
     

    News and Important Dates...

    *How to ask your child how their school day was click here.

    *CASEL's Social Emotional Core Competencies
    Fullproof strategies for getting kids to talk

    *Please contact me with any questions or concerns regarding your children, need help finding community resources, or just to introduce yourself!                             

    Please let me know if you are in need of school supplies! I might be able to help!  

     

    * We are all about super powers this year!  What is your super power?  This year students will be introduced to a monthly super power!  

       Monthly Super Hero Themes

     

    My Role as a School Counselor:

    School Counseling at the Elementary Level

    Description of school counseling at the elementary level

    Check out my School Counseling Brochure!! 

    Self Referral Form

    Why should you come see the counselor?  

    Articles:

    Counselor Newsletters:

    As I go into your child's room for guidance lessons, I will give out a newsletter after each lesson.  Please look in your child's folder each night :)

    PBIS

    Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports

    PBIS Logo

    We are RESPECTFUL, RESPONSIBLE, and READY TO LEARN!!!

    Mindfulness

    • Every morning we have mind up time where we take time to relax, regroup, and get ready for theday!
    • Our mind bell helps us to focus and recharge after a hectic morning.
    • Too find out more about Mind up time take a look at Hawn Foundation: http://thehawnfoundation.org/mindup/
    • Check out the video I showed your kids about why we need Mind Up time:

                                                           

     

    An Article about Mindfulness at School

    Schools are now teaching kids — and their parents — how to deal with stress

     

    How to incorportate mindfulness at all ages- Mindfulness and Children- the Essential Guide

    Every classroom has a calm space!

    • Every person needs to learn to cope with their feelings. The calm space gives us a place to take the time to calm down!

    My Calm Space

    Character Counts

    While we aren't specifically focusing on the character counts character traits every month- they are still important!

    school kids

    Links and Resources

    Resources:

    Positive Parenting and other Articles:

    Check out these articles on parenting:

    Also...

    Take advantage of that time to talk to your children about healthy, respectful choices. Find some materials to support your discussion here

    When a tragedy strikes it's often difficult to know how to discuss these incidents with your children. Tell them too much and you could add to their anxiety. Tell them too little and they may be confused and scared without the reassurance they need. The Johns Hopkins Children’s Center's website at http://www.hopkinschildrens.org/index.aspx, offers these tips from child psychiatrist Patrick Kelly, M.D. and child psychologist Renee DeBoard-Lucas, Ph.D. Read the article here!  

     

     

    The 10 Tools http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/ten-tools

      

    These proven tools can help you feel stronger and more hopeful. Click on links for specific tips.

    1.Connect with others

    2.Stay positive

    3.Get physically active

    4.Help others

    5.Get enough sleep

    6.Create joy and satisfaction

    7.Eat well

    8.Take care of your spirit

    9.Deal better with hard times

    10.Get professional help if you need it

    FAQ-
    Frequently Asked Questions about the things related to school counseling

    FAQ

    Collaborative for Academic, Social, Emotional, Learning (C.A.S.E.L.)'s Top 10Tips at Home

    American School Counseling Association's (ASCA) Description and Explaination of Elementary School Counselors.

    MCPS Links:

    • Parent Academy- Educational seminars and information to support parenting skills and knowledge
    • Family and Community- Tons of great resources for all of the families and communities in MCPS
    • Parent Support- Links and information specifically related to parents of MCPS students
    • Middle School Magnets- Information about the middle school magnet programs

    Community Resource Links:

    • Mental Health Association, Montgomery County - MoCo's M.H.A. full of a variety of amazing trainings, programs and information
    • Whole Child- An incredible wealth of information about recognition of the child as a whole (social, emotional, academic...)
    • Local Therapist- A list of some local therapist in the Olney area

    Forms