Counselor’s Corner 

April 2025

Dear PCS Families & Guardians,

Happy April! Well, we’re in the last stretch of the 2024-2025 school year! I can hardly believe it!!

Kindness Week Was a Success!

We had an amazing time during Kindness Week, and we’re so proud of how our students embraced this special event! It was heartwarming to see so many acts of kindness shared throughout the week – from helping a friend to offering encouraging words to showing appreciation to teachers and staff. Every small act of kindness made a big difference in creating a positive, supportive atmosphere at PCS.

We hope this spirit of kindness continues to inspire our students and our entire school community every day. A big thank you to everyone who participated and made Kindness Week so memorable!

As we wrap up the VT CAP testing season, I want to take a moment to recognize the incredible effort and perseverance our students have shown throughout this challenging process. Tackling these tests is no easy feat, and we know it can present challenges for many. 

How do we De-stress from tests? Self-Care! 

Take time to check in on your brain and body! Whether we need a nap, some exercise, or some fun to relax, self-care is essential to performing our best on tests. Keep a consistent sleep and study schedule, but be sure to take some time to have some fun as well!

We are celebrating the success of our students for working so hard, staying focused, and pushing through every obstacle along the way. To celebrate their efforts, we will be holding a schoolwide celebration next week!! 

The Power of Positive Thinking!

Throughout the upcoming months, our SEL focus will be on positive thinking. Sometimes, our students can get stuck in a cycle of negative thoughts or feelings, and it’s important to help them learn how to shift their mindset to a more positive and uplifting place. Changing how we think takes practice, but with the right tools, it can become easier over time.

Daily positive affirmations for kids can help develop a growth mindset and improve attitudes. Positive thinking can have a great impact on your mental health and well-being. Some studies show we can maintain and increase self-esteem by reciting and internalizing positive affirming thoughts. Children with a positive self-image are more likely to spread kindness to others. Positive affirmations are positive phrases or statements that challenge unhelpful or negative thoughts. Training your brain to think more positively can be very beneficial to promote well-being and increase resilience. Replacing negative thoughts with positive thoughts develops an increase in self-regulation and self-worth. Sharing positive affirmations at the dinner table or practicing reciting them together on the way to school is a great and easy way to implement them into your daily routine.  Click HERE to read the full article. 

Try it at home!

Discuss with your child how they have the power to change their initial negative thoughts to positive thoughts through encouraging words and giving themselves the grace to make mistakes. 

Practice changing negative self-talk statements into positive self-talk thoughts.

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We hope these resources can be a helpful part of your family's journey toward building a more positive mindset!

All the best,

Counselor Marisa