Counseling Corner
August 8, 2025
A warm welcome to our Los Pen students and families!
First Day Feelings
The first day of school brings a mix of excitement and nerves—not just for children, but for parents too. Separation anxiety is completely normal, and one of the best ways to ease it is by reassuring your child that you will be back to pick them up, and that you’ll miss them while you're apart. Remember, our kids are incredibly sensitive to our emotions—staying calm, offering a warm smile, and a confident goodbye can help them feel secure (even if we cry in the car afterward!).
While we know the first day is coming, it’s still important to honor our feelings. Every new school year marks a meaningful milestone, and it’s okay to feel emotional. Here are some wonderful books to help children with separation anxiety:
- The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
- Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney
- Bye-Bye Time by Elizabeth Verdick
- I Love You All Day Long by Francesca Rusackas
- Daniel Goes to School by Becky Friedman
- Owl Babies by Martin Waddell
You've got this—and so do they!
Kindly,
Ms. Bohn- School Counselor
View previous Counseling messages here: Los Pen NEUs
Pictured from left to right: Alyssa Rodriguez (intern, USD), Holden Sandstrom (Student Support Services), Kenya Bohn (School Counselor), McKenna Jamison (intern, Pt Loma), 2023-2024 Staff
About
At Los Peñasquitos Elementary, we have a comprehensive student services and school counseling program. In order to prepare our children for the future they need to have basic skills such as reading, writing, and math. They also need to have interpersonal skills and communication skills in today's competitive workplace, the ability to work as a team, think independently, have a good attitude and be motivated to stay in school. Did you know that the most common reason people lose their jobs is not because they are not smart enough or don’t know their job well enough? It is because they cannot work as a team and get along well with others. Research shows that Early Intervention is key. Elementary School Counselors are one of the links to success. We are here to help! Here are the components of the Los Peñasquitos Student Services and School Counseling program:
Student Services Room: This room is open at lunch time recess as an alternate choice to the playground. Students may play with game boards, Legos, and art supplies.
Classroom Lessons: Students participate in class lessons about friendship skills, problem-solving and bullying prevention. Lessons are facilitated by the School Counselor or the Student Services teacher.
Small Student Groups: Groups are available to students with parent permission. Topics of groups are based on the needs of the students. Some of the possible topics are friendship skills, study/organization skills, dealing with change, anger management, and conflict resolution.
Individual Sessions: Students may meet one-on-one with the School Counselor. These sessions are approximately a half an hour once per week for four to ten weeks. Focus of session is individualized for each student. Parent permission is required.
Parent University: Parent education and information are provided throughout the school year offering such topics as “Communicating with Your Child”, “Developing Responsibility and Consequences”, “Managing Your Child’s Behavior”, and “Developing Capable Young People”.
Important Phone Numbers
| The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | 1-800-273-TALK |
| The Access & Crisis Line San Diego | 1-888-724-7240 |
| The Crisis Text Line | Text HOME to 741741 |
| San Diego region’s trusted source for access to community, health, social, and disaster services. A local non-profit operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. | 211 |
| California Warmline | 1-855-7415 |
| The Trevor Project (supporting LGBTQ) | 1-866-488-7386 |
| National Domestic Violence Hotline | 1-800-799-7233 |
| Child Abuse Hotline | 1-800-344-600 |
| California Parent and Youth Helpline provides support and resource referrals to parent and youth during the current COVID-19 pandemic, 7-days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Call or text. | 1-855-4AParent |
Disclaimer: The links and ideas on this site are purely for educational purposes and are not intended as psychological interventions or as a substitute for psychological treatment. If you are in need of psychological help you should seek the consultation of a licensed mental health professional.