Dear Stressed Student,
Woof, woof! That sounds like a really ruff time. Some hoomans can really get under your skin, just like that scratch you can’t quite itch, no matter how much you wiggle and twist. But guess what, I know just the person who you can bark to! School counselor, Tristan Berkey, she’s kind of like the pack leader for feelings. You likely already know her – Ms.Berkey teaches 45 minutes of LifeSkills to all the K-6th grade classes each week.
From what I hear (and you know with my ears, I have excellent hearing), she’s a go to alpha dog when it comes to transitions and housing – so your pawrents could talk with her too. If you’ve been living in a shelter or hotel, and/or sometimes living with friends or family, your pawrents could qualify for the Homeless and Transition program that Ms.Berkey knows all about.
When you’re feeling overwhelmed with your school work, she’s also the person that can help you get some more support. As the 504 coordinator, she’s all paws with the special education teachers at your school – Devyn Reece, Volodymyr Lishchenko, Jenny Greene, Tracy Woodrow
(PreK). And – if you ever get tummy rumbles on the weekends, Ms. Berkey can get your name added to the food bag list, so that you can have some zoomie fuel. Chomp, chomp. I’m drooling just thinking about it!
I’m pawsitive that what you share with Ms. Berkey can stay just between the two of you (like that bone in my backyard, only I know where it’s buried!) Your teacher might not even have to know. I’d trust Ms. Berkey to tell you if things you share need to leave the four walls of her school den. Sometimes, even just a little bit of barking to a trusted adult can help make the day feel brighter, like when the sun peeks through the clouds and makes everything nice for chasing & catching frisbees. Your principal, Eric Filardi, has good listening ears too, and your school nurse, Karla Nash, has some fur-tastic remedies for sniffles and ouchies.
Remember there are many paws on your side!
Tail wags for better days ahead,