In IUSD, elementary schools are staffed with an Elementary Resource Counselor (ERC).For more information, please refer to the IUSD Department of Prevention and Intervention. At Stone Creek, our ERC supports students and families 5 days a week from 7:30-4:00pm.
Elementary Resource Counselor
Zachary Brewer, MAEd, PPS
949-936-6214
INTERACTIVE COUNSELING LINKS
Mr. Brewer's Virtual Counseling Office Guide
Parent Request to Check In with Mr. Brewer
Student Request to Check In with Mr. Brewer
Mental Health/Wellness Services and Resources:
The District provides school-based mental health/wellness services and resources (www.iusd.org/WeCare or https://iusd.org/department/mental-health-wellness to students and families. These services include short-term individual or group counseling for students at the school site; short-term, solution-focused therapy for students and families through the Irvine Family Resource Center; and resource linkages to community-based mental health or social services for students and families. Services are provided by counselors or licensed mental health professionals.
Counseling Program Overview
At Stone Creek, the Elementary Resource Counseling program is designed to provide opportunities for students to participate in individual and small group sessions that provide support and skill-building for coping with stressors both in and outside of the classroom. As students progress through their elementary education, they may have times where they need to strengthen their social-emotional skills in order to reach their full potential as learners. Students may struggle from time to time with a variety of family and life circumstances (divorce, loss, move, etc.) that negatively impact learning. Individual and small group counseling can be an excellent way for students to learn new skills, develop self-confidence, regulate behaviors, and learn to deal with challenges in healthy and responsible ways.
Both individual and small group counseling sessions take place during school hours and are no longer than 20 minutes to mitigate intrusions to instructional time. These services are provided at no cost and are completely voluntary. Please note: information shared by your child in counseling sessions will be kept confidential unless there is an indication that your child is in danger of hurting himself/herself or others, or that someone may be hurting your child.
SEL Lessons at Stone Creek
Throughout the school year, SEL (social and emotional learning) lessons are taught to all classrooms for grades K-6. SEL lessons at Stone Creek are based on the following CASEL 5 standards: Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social-Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision Making. These lessons are no longer than 30 minutes in order to mitigate the loss of classroom instructional time.
What is SEL?
We define social and emotional learning (SEL) as an integral part of education and human development. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions. SEL advances educational equity and excellence through authentic school-family-community partnerships to establish learning environments and experiences that feature trusting and collaborative relationships, rigorous and meaningful curriculum and instruction, and ongoing evaluation. SEL can help address various forms of inequity and empower young people and adults to co-create thriving schools and contribute to safe, healthy, and just communities (CASEL, 2022).
Parent Resources
Please find articles related to your child's well-being and social and emotional development listed here. Should you need further support or information, please contact Mr. Brewer at 949-936-6214 or email using this link.
How To Help A Child Struggling With Anxiety
7 Most Important Social Skills for Kids
How to Tell Your Kids You're Getting a Separation or Divorce
Helping Children Deal With Grief
Helping Kids Who Struggle With Executive Functions
How to Teach Your Child to Have a Growth Mindset
How to Help a Highly Emotional Child Cope With Big Feelings
Using Positive Reinforcement to Improve Your Child's Behavior