Counselor’s Corner – March 18, 2020

Social-Emotional Counseling

Tips on Talking to Kids about the Coronavirus

I’d like to share with you a comic from NPR to help children understand the coronavirus. Please also read my Letter from The Counselor posted on the Distance Learning at BIS Website with tips on how to talk to your children about the coronavirus and school closure.

Mindfulness Practice

Please continue to support your children with daily mindfulness practices. Ask your child to teach you some of the techniques they’ve learned during their mindfulness classes such as mindful listening, seeing, eating, breathing, body scan, walking, writing, and sending themselves and others kind messages through heartfulness.  Students can place a hand on their anchor spot-where they feel their breath most, such as their tummy or chest while they do a minute of mindful breathing. They can sit in their mindful bodies-straight spines, bodies still and relaxed, gaze lowered or eyes closed, and practice any of the techniques we’ve learned in class. Please practice with your child.

Here is a helpful reminder about scheduling your time and focus during the school closure:

College and Career Counseling

College reps will be available for virtual visits during our school closure. I will post these as they become available.

May SAT Exam Cancelled

The Collegeboard has announced the cancellation of the May 3 SAT exam due to COVID. If you have already registered you will be refunded.  Future dates will be announced. Students in grade 11 this year can still sit the exam in Aug, Oct, and Dec if they need them for US universities and these are all valid dates for next year’s university admissions cycle.

Summer Programs and Other Opportunities

This is a good time to start researching options for summer!

Please be sure to check and scroll through the tabs at the bottom of the regularly-updated Opportunities for Students document for:

• Upcoming College and University Visits (these will be held virtually while we are closed)
• Spring Break and Summer programs around the world
• Internships/ Scholarships
• Tutoring Resources