Beech Tree News Network

In these uncertain times, many students and their families can experience tremendous anxiety, fear, and worry.  While many are concerned about the potential to become physically sick with COVID-19, it’s crucial that we also consider the impact this pandemic can have on our mental health.  Maintaining our emotional/spiritual/mental health can have an overwhelmingly positive effect on our physical health.  Studies show when we can reduce stress, we can lower blood pressure, increase our energy, boost our mood, and kickstart our immune systems.  Parents should be reminded that, just as the airlines tell us, you should always be sure your “emotional oxygen mask” is on before you offer support to others. Here are some tips to help both children and adults.  

 Now, as always, it’s important for parents/guardians to be aware of their child’s emotional status.  As difficult as it might be, try to stay positive with your child. It’s also very important to try to maintain a routine.  It’s definitely not the same as when kids are in school, but having a routine or daily schedule helps eliminate uncertainty.  Post a daily outline in a place where everyone can see it.  Schedule times for physical exercise, art and music time, free play, “school time,” free reading time, etc.  Limit your child’s exposure to “adult worries” and remind them that not everything they hear is true.  Help them distinguish between things they can control and things out of their control.  Remind them that although we can’t completely eliminate the possibility of getting sick, we can establish habits that can lessen the chance of contracting or spreading the virus.  Remind them that our current state of uncertainty is temporary.  We WILL return to school, church, and family gatherings.  Consider your child’s age and current level of anxiety when starting a conversation.  Because much of what we see and hear can be negative, it’s important to model an appropriate balance of media and technology.  Now more than ever, it’s a great idea to establish an electronic “curfew” for all devices.  This will allow you to set aside specific times of the day/night that are free of distractions.  Model coping strategies like getting physical exercise, eating nutritious food and drinking plenty of water, getting plenty of rest, and doing things you enjoy.  Board games, playing outside, making a gratitude list, writing in a journal, or writing encouraging notes to others can help increase our confidence and boost our mood.  If you notice your child’s anxiety increases and they begin having difficulty eating, sleeping or doing things they love, it may be a good time to contact a mental health professional.  Your school counselors are available and happy to help your child or direct you to our community based partners, who can often provide services to entire families. 

Butler County School Counselors continue to provide resources that can help alleviate some of the fear, worry, and anxiety you and your family may be experiencing.   At Butler County High School, Counselors Hanna Southerland and Sherlyn Bratcher have been reaching out to students to set up virtual counseling sessions/meetings.  Ms. Bratcher sends out a daily email to all the students and posts messages and activities using the school’s social media accounts.  Mrs. Southerland sends out Remind messages to students to keep them informed. The counselors have also created a Google Classroom for students with topics including career, college, meditation, test prep and more.  They have also sent video messages to students on social media.  As Adult Advisors of Sources of Strength, they have worked with the school’s  Peer Leaders to come up with several activities for students including - SoS Spirit Week, Health Activities Challenge, and a weekly emotional check-in with the students.

 At Butler County Middle School, Counselor Bethney Salmon has been communicating with the student body in google classroom, posting mindfulness, breathing, and sources of strength activities and lessons on youtube and in the google classroom, calling students, going live each day on the school counselor social media account to do interactive lessons with the students, and offering zoom and google meet sessions. Additionally Mrs. Salmon is working with the adult and peer leaders to maintain the Sources of Strength program.  The middle school has joined with the national Sources of Strength campaign “What Helps Us” to encourage positive and helpful activities to focus on our strengths during this time.  All students, parents, and community members are encouraged to post photos of you positive activities on Instagram with the hashtag #whathelpsus and tag @bcmsbears and @bcmscounselor.

 At the elementary level, Counselors Linda Tyree, JoLynn Reed, and Tracy Derque  have also been reaching out to students through their “Counselor Connection” on Class Dojo, Zoom meetings, Youtube, Facebook, and their individual websites.  They have provided video lessons on topics such as yoga breathing and stretching, mindfulness, hope, and reducing anxiety for students and their parents. They have worked with the Family Resource Center and cafeteria staff to help prepare, distribute and deliver meals to students across the county.

 We will get through this TOGETHER!  Please let us know how we can help!  All Butler County School Counselors are available 8:00 - 3:00 daily.  Text or call Tracy Derque (NBES) 270-526-8936, Bethney Salmon (BCMS)  270-999-4112, Sherlyn Bratcher (BCHS) 270-883-1495, Hanna Southerland (BCHS) - 270-883-1565, JoLynn Reed or Linda Tyree - 270-681-5528 or 270-526-3361