The Monarca school counselor has created a multi-layered support program for Monarca students, tailored for each grade-level from TK through sixth grade. The school counseling program consists of: (i) classroom guidance lessons for every class, (ii) small group counseling for emerging issues; and (iii) individual counseling for urgent issues.

Resource Tools Used by the School Counselor

• Kelso's Choices Conflict Resolution Wheel

• I Messages

• Turtle Tricks to Wait and Cool Off

• Rumor Blocks

Supporting our Children through Spanish Immersion

A Monarca Parent Engagement Talk - January 25, 2018

Dr. Lina Mendez presented findings from her research conducted with DJUSD's support 10 years ago with English Language Learners, then facilitated a group discussion through which parents and teachers were able to share tips, ideas and suggestions—particularly for English-speaking parents—on how best to support their child(ren)'s Spanish Immersion education. Dr. Mendez is the Associate Director of the Center for Chicanx and Latinx Academic Student Success at UC Davis.

For the full list of tips, ideas and suggestions generated from this discussion, please link here.

Gender-Inclusive Parenting Resources

We all have a role to play in making our school community feel welcoming to all students and families. Gender is one aspect of identity that can often be stereotyped, but that is far more complex in reality. Books, media, toys, schools, families and communities all play a role in children’s ideas about gender. How do we as parents and caregivers affirm each child’s individuality – whether they seem to match or defy gendered stereotypes (or somewhere in between) – and create a school community where students feel comfortable expressing a wide range of emotions, interests, and behaviors which may or may not be typical for boys or girls? 

The Monarca Climate Committee's January 2015 Parent Engagement Meeting offered a thoughtful dialogue about children and gender as we identified strategies and resources for gender inclusive parenting and schools.  The meeting's facilitators, long-time social justice educators and Davis parents Kate Snow (DJUSD Climate Coordinator) and Laurie Stillman (Student Development Consultant), provided the following materials to help inform our community:  

• Resources for Gender Inclusive Parenting and Schools

• Tips for Gender Inclusive Parenting

This page offers resources developed by Melinda Coates, former Monarca and Patwin school counselor, for an "Anti-Bullying Information Night" held on February 25, 2016.

This parent engagement event provided an opportunity to learn about the differences between conflict and bullying, school policies and classroom lessons on bullying, what to do if your student is being mistreated or is mistreating others, and the importance of being an upstander.

• Anti-Bullying Information Night (PowerPoint slides)

• How to Talk to Your Child about Bullying (Handout)

• Anti-Bullying Resources (Handout)

• Anti-Bullying Brochure (Handout)

Additional Resources for Parents

Additional resources identified by the Monarca Climate Committee for parents engaging with their children about social media and bullying.

• 16 Apps and Websites Kids are Heading to After Facebook

• Social media apps that let teens do it all -- text, chat, meet people, and share pics and videos -- often fly under parents' radars. Link here for a March 2016 article from Common Sense Media.

Upstander Video

Will the bystanders remain silent? Or will they stand up against the bullying? Watch this powerful video.