Academics

Counseling Corner

PeaceBuilders

PeaceBuilders is a science-based, research-validated violence prevention curriculum and professional development program for grades pre-K to 12. The PeaceBuilders Program supports the Holy Trinity Parish School Mission and Vision.  Its essence is a common language - six principles, taught, modeled and practiced. These same principles set behavioral expectations, reduce aggression, promote the students to do the next right thing and transform the climate and culture of any environment to one which is cooperative, productive, and academically successful.
The students have been introduced to and pledge to live out daily the 6 principles of the program - which are:
  •          PRAISE PEOPLE
  •          SEEK WISE PEOPLE
  •          RIGHT WRONGS
  •          GIVE UP PUT-DOWNS
  •          NOTICE HURTS
  •          HELP OTHERS.
PeaceBuilders was introduced at Holy Trinity Parish School as it is one of the programs utilized in the Archdiocese of Louisville. The objectives of this program are to reduce aggressive and unkind, bullying type behaviors and to promote and foster a culture of inclusion and Christ-centered living.  For more information on PeaceBuilders, check out their official website at:  www.peacebuilders.com.
In support of PeaceBuilders, you will notice "Good Samaritan Awards" posted on a bulletin board near the Library. These awards are similar to the “praise notes” that are part of the PeaceBuilders Program.  They come directly from the staff and faculty and seek to identify and reinforce acts of kindness and compassion and positive behaviors amongst the entire school community.
Our PeaceBuilders Pledge is posted in each classroom and the students recite it, along with the morning prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, each morning. If you would like a copy of the PeaceBuilders Pledge to post at your home, or if you have any questions about the program, please contact Ms. Probus. School Counselor at (502) 897-2785 or lprobus@ht-school.org.

List of 2 members.

  • Photo of Laura Probus

    Ms. Laura Probus 

    Counselor
    University of Louisville - Master of Science in Social Work
    University of Louisvlle - Bachelor of Science in Education -Counseling and Guidance
    2007
    Bio
  • Photo of Amy Cundiff

    Mrs. Amy Cundiff 

    Counseling
    2020
    Bio

List of 9 news stories.

  • Counseling Corner: Happy 2021

    Dear Holy Trinity Community,
     
    First let me apologize. The Counseling Corner I originally wrote was in my drafts folder (or so I thought :)) and when I went to send it, it was not there yesterday.  Ideally the Counseling Corner would have been sent on Monday January 4th (as I've sent them on Mondays during NTI). The Counseling Corner was not sent yesterday as I would have hoped, but because I have decided to not sweat the small stuff, I am now going to send an updated, much shorter and simpler Counseling Corner, and ask for your understanding. After 2020 I have come to realize lots of what I worried about in the past,  really is just small stuff. That is one of the lessons I hope to take with me into 2021; don't sweat the small stuff!
     
    I'll share one of my favorite verses,  Philippines 4:6-7.

    Philippians 4:6-7 

    Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

    So as we embark on 2021 my hope is that we are all able to have less worry, more reasons to smile and eyes to see the best in each day. Let's MAKE this a great year. “Joy is the happiness that doesn’t depend on what happens.”  That quote comes from a Benedictine Monk and interfaith scholar Brother David Steindl-Rast and one of my favorite reminders.  As I so often say, I really believe that life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond! 
     
    I have challenged myself and will invite you to challenge yourself to do one thing for yourself weekly to help you grow and take better care of you and your family on this next year’s journey around the sun. Of course, feel free to make more than one thing but I need to make it doable:). Also, the experts agree that if we write down our goal and schedule it – put a plan of action before the action – we are more likely to do it as well😊.  So one of the things that I personally have decided to commit to do is to listen to a podcast or book weekly (if you search podcast you can find great ones on everything from finding God's grace to not being anxious to being more mindful to practicing gratitude to......). Let's do it! Let's remember to Find the Grace and not sweat the small stuff :).
     
    I wish you and your family a BLESSED 2021. 
     
    As always, please reach out at lprobus@ht-school.org with any questions, comments or concerns and let me know if I can be of any help.
     
    Blessings, 
    Laura Probus 
  • Let go and let God

    This is the reflection I read this morning as part of an Advent series I am emailed.  I thought it was fitting to share as part of the Counseling Corner letter because as I continue to prepare social emotional lessons for the students, I am working on upcoming lessons and for the lessons on Mindfulness, I have noted the importance of Letting Go and Letting God.  I remind myself to do this often and this seems like a good reminder for us this week as we are now in the third week of Advent as well as the third week of NTI.  
     
    As flexible as I try to be, I will admit that I like all my ducks in a row and to be in control of situations – it is comforting.  I have been challenged more than a few times (even in today’s Advent reflection) to always make sure to let Go and let God’s grace in situations.  I have been challenged to let go of what I want to happen and to be open (with eyes, ears and heart) to what may need to happen (even if I do not understand it); to just be flexible and accept and go with the situation.  It can be a challenge to truly be in the moment and whatever happens, find God’s grace in it (and that maybe I am the one who is called to be an example and share that GRACE).  In today’s reflection it asked, “Do you ever surrender to God’s will? Do you ever let go of what is eating at you, tearing you apart, and ask God to take charge?”  That can be hard but can allow us all us some more peace I do believe – I think we can all use a bit more peace😊
     
    So let me break this down a bit more and give us some tips (that we can all use as educators, parents and students perhaps).  “Let go and let God” may seem simple, but it’s not. If you, like me, have tried this throughout your life you know it can be tough to just let go.  Yes, it can be tough, but still, that doesn’t mean it can’t be done. The experts remind us that It doesn’t even mean that it has to be hard.  They remind us that if we make a daily concerted effort to sincerely (and prayerfully) follow steps such as these: 
     
    1) Identify what you can control—and what you can’t.
    I have a great prayer to remind us of the importance of that and you may have heard of this prayer – the Serenity Prayer.  The Serenity Prayer is a prayer written by the American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr. It is commonly quoted as:
     
    God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
    courage to change the things I can,
    and wisdom to know the difference.
     
    Much of our inability to “let go and let God” stems from our failure to recognize that often the things that stress us and worry us are things we can’t control. So, let us focus on LETTING GO AND LETTING GOD this week and finding some GRACE AND PEACE. 
     
    2) Address what you can control.
    Another key to wholistic health is action (physical, mental, emotional and spiritually). In fact, very often inactivity with a focus on our health (any of those) breeds worry and can be the catalyst for anxiety, stress and depression. One antidote to worry and stress is action. So, instead of brooding over your situation, take action on the things you can control (which often pertain to us and our attitudes). I like to make a list of things that are worrying me and rank them and then put an action by each of them (and sometimes the action is changing my view, sometimes an action step (or a few) and sometimes to simply pray and to truly let go and let God). 
     
    3) Surrender what you can’t control.
    In the words of the theologian E. Stanley Jones, “Surrender the thing you fear into the hands of God. Turn it right over to God and ask God to solve it with you. Fear is keeping things in your own hands; faith is turning them over into the hands of God—and leaving them there.”  Again, a reminder to let go and let God. 
     
    4) Meditation and Prayer  
    Replace your frantic thoughts with calming thoughts, based on God’s promises such as, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” ~ Hebrews 13:5.  Also, one of my favorite scripture verse serves as another great reminder,  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 4:6-7. This step reminds us the importance of taking a few minutes each day to be quiet and reflect (maybe turning any worries to God but to also count our blessings).  If students can start this simple habit now, from my experience it can have great benefit throughout their life. 
     
    5) Choose a “letting go” motto.
    Select a memorable verse or phrase that you can repeat to yourself throughout the day to keep your body, mind and spirit that all will be ok and to not let us spiral in worry.  I often remind kiddos that they are the boss of their thoughts – work to catch the worry thoughts and change them to ones that allow more grace and peace!  This motto might just be “let go and let God” or asking yourself a question, “is this a big deal or little deal?”
     
    6) Resolve not to act on fear but on faith.
    To quote E. Stanley Jones again, “Never act on a fear, for fears are usually false…. Don’t build your life according to any pattern shown to you in the valley of fear. Wait till you get to the mount of faith and then build your life plans.”   Let us all be reminded to be patient and take our time and act when we are calm. 
     
    7) Focus your mind and heart on trusting God today.
    Jesus said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” ~ Matthew 6:34  Be in this day – it is called the PRESENT because it truly is a GIFT and this moment is all we are guaranteed.  We are reminded that even with troubles and tough times, the same God who is with us and empowers us to meet today will be there tomorrow.
     
    So maybe “let go and let God” isn’t expecting too much. If, that is, we do it one day at a time.
     
    In today’s Advent reflection I was reminded that it is the feast of St. John of the Cross.  St. John of the Cross taught us courage and a deep reliance on God in the midst of adversity. Such a poignant reminder in these times especially. He taught us that when we let go of all that burdens us and open ourselves to God, we can be uplifted and find grace and peace.
     
    I hope you have a great week.
     
    A reminder that there are optional social emotional lessons for the students so please check those out if the students would like to do so (this week’s focus is Social Awareness – Empathy, Gratitude, etc.).  Please reach out with any questions. 
     
    Again, please continue to reach out via email at lprobus@ht-school.org should I be able to offer any assistance.  Please know of our continued thoughts and prayers.  
  • Sharing Hope

    Dear Holy Trinity Community,
     
    I recently heard Archbishop Martin (Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland) talk about the importance of sharing hope this Advent Season.  He went on to remind his audience that “The seasons of Advent and Christmas occur in the depth of winter reminding us that Christ was born to bring hope to a darkened world.”  I find this to be a great reminder of the importance of the statement I shared in my last Counseling Corner letter – GOD IS A COMFORTING CONSTANT IN A TOTALLY UNPREDICTABLE WORLD.   Archbishop Martin went on to invite us (and challenge us perhaps) to take “just five minutes each day for reflection to find moments of peace so as to rediscover the true meaning of Advent…”   I feel we are called to shine light in the darkness of Advent (and especially in the midst of this pandemic).  We are called to FIND THE GRACE and one of the best ways is by sharing GRACE I believe.  I have been in communication with lots of folks and do empathize with the struggles.  I understand and have found that for me, when I am struggling, it can be helpful to reach out and do something for someone else, especially during this season of Advent.  Such an awesome time.  Maybe this week to help with the stress reduction take this challenge (there are two)  – perhaps you and your kiddo(s) can work together to spend at least 5 minutes daily just in quiet (in reflection and prayer) if you do not already do that in the fast paced days.  The other challenge is to work together to plan an act of love and kindness during each week of Advent (and maybe beyond).  This doesn’t have to be anything huge;  maybe just a hand written letter or drawing to share with a family member or neighbor?  Perhaps the act of kindness can be to drop off donations to Toys for Tots or the KY Humane Society, etc.  Maybe the kindness is that one sibling will clean the room for another sibling or helping them with their homework 😊.  There are lots of options and they can be big or small but the key is to do them.  Mother Teresa reminds us, “Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired.”  My prayer for all of us is that we don’t miss chances this week to be kind and loving (even when we are tired).  That we are welcoming to others and really work on taking time to reflect and be quiet and offer our time for others (it truly is the most precious gift we have and not guaranteed).  Take this time to “Prepare the way of the Lord.”
     
    Really I write these Counseling Corner letters to continue to let you know that you each remain in our thoughts and prayers and most importantly that should you need support or have any questions at all, please continue to reach out to the Holy Trinity Counseling Office via email lprobus@ht-school.org.  Have a great week.
     
    Also, please be aware that there are optional short Social Emotional Lessons daily for Pre-K through 3rd grade and a weekly SEL Lesson for grades 4 – 8 if your child would like to participate in completing those. Please reach out should you want additional resources.
     
    Blessings,
    Laura Probus
  • Counselor's Corner Update: Thanksgiving Update & NTI Prep

    Dear Holy Trinity Community,
     
    FIND THE GRACE.  That is our theme this school year and we have been challenged to do so.  When we started in August we were so grateful to get back in the swing of things and even with the new normal routines we had to have in place, we were happy to be back in-person.  We did well, even with all the challenges. The students and teachers truly shined, recently Archbishop Kurtz referred to our teachers and educators as heroes and I would agree!  We were and continue to be challenged to FIND THE GRACE.  The pandemic is stressful!  I keep reading about the importance of finding balance and recently heard a reference to find the balance as it was embodied in the lyrics of the hymn “Amazing Grace;” to survive the pandemic body and soul, we have to feel fear and have our fears relieved.  We must work through it!  We must use restraint, but find ways to carry on (and do so assuming the best and FINDING THE GRACE).  Carry on we shall – one day, hour and minute at a time.  God asks us to be present in the moments and to look for the GRACE in each!  Truly, stop what we are doing and be mindful of this moment – we will never have it again!  Time is precious!  Enjoy each moment!  It can be hard for sure, but worth the effort!  Now due to the concern of rising numbers of Covid-19 cases we have to resume NTI for the few weeks surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Wow.  It is tough and tiring and it can wear us down. That is when we are even more challenged to FIND THE GRACE.
     
    As we approach Thanksgiving and I look back at the last few months, while there were many challenges, there were many beautiful moments.  I truly see so much of God’s grace woven into the past days, weeks and months.  Now instead of reflecting on the past, I am trying to live some GRATITUDE and find God’s grace in each moment and the good in every day.  While challenging myself to do this, I find the words of Viktor Frankl to be helpful. Frankl was a Jewish psychologist who survived a Nazi concentration camp during WWII. Through this experience, he discovered that humans are not mere beasts/mere beings motivated by instincts but we are much more. Frankl found that humans are ultimately motivated by meaning. We are purpose-driven creatures!  Because of this perspective, he lived by a mantra to which he credits his survival: “He who has a WHY to live for can bear almost any HOW.” In other words, if a person still believes his or her life has meaning and purpose (and is aware and conscious of that), then he or she can endure almost any situation. And yet, Frankl said that we must believe that our lives are filled with meaning, especially in the middle of suffering. In fact, Frankl went so far as to say, “In some ways suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice.” Suffering loses its greatest sting when we hold on to the hope of purpose.  This purpose can help us to FIND THE GRACE (and be fully present in this moment while we look)!
     
    They say that purpose leads to action. Living under this new normal has been challenging. I’ve often felt paralyzed, or at least slowed down, by fear and doubt. But remembering Frankl’s words can allow some insight and awareness. If we are aware and reminding ourselves of our WHY, we can deal with almost any HOW! I remind myself to not get bogged down in the struggles but remember the bigger picture – the WHY and HOW and to FIND THE GRACE.  So, we all just show up and do our best!  Our Faith reminds us that we are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). He gives our lives true meaning and purpose, and that gives us a big enough WHY.  Yes, we are living challenging times but what good can we find in the midst – we are challenged to do so!  In the end, it will be what makes the difference!
     
    So again, we are reminded to look for the beauty in each day, be present to the moment, and stay safe and healthy!  My next food for thought or insight (which I share often) is the importance of THANKSGIVING.  The stress can lead to negative thoughts and they can threaten to overwhelm our positive mindset.  So I challenge all to count your blessings not your troubles – I promise this will help us to FIND THE GRACE (and stay in the moment and be mindful).   Please take a few moments to check out these videos to help (they helped me and hope they will help you and your family as well).
     
    GRATITUDE EXPERIMENT. What makes you happy? Have you ever wondered why? Join us as we take an experimental approach on what makes people happier…watch this (it’s worth your time 😊).
     
    Mind Yeti is a library of research-based guided mindfulness sessions that help kids and their adults calm their minds, focus their attention and connect to the world around them.
     
    Check this out as well  (this is one of many resources for parents and caregivers as well, and always reach out to me for more if needed):
     
    SUPPORTING PARENTS & CAREGIVERS IN MANAGING THE NEW NORMAL Parent & Caregiver Webinar Series
    About this Event
    During this uncertain time, parents are struggling to balance work, childcare and self-care while keeping worries — both your children’s and your own — under control. You are not alone. The University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration (SSA) and Urban Education Institute (UEI) have partnered to organize and offer a virtual series that aims to help parents and caregivers manage the new normal.  It is a five part series and the first webinar is coming up, Tuesday, November 24, 2020 from 5:00 to 6:00 PM (CT).  The webinar is Balancing Screen-Time with Staying Active and Getting Rest. Please see the program description for more details.
    Program Description:
    With social distancing and remote learning limiting our ability to connect, be active and physically interact, daily screen time has increased to a high level. Even before the COVID-19 global pandemic, there were questions about the connection with screen time and our health. Join us for this interactive presentation led by the Together for Students Chicago Initiative including our partners at Thrive Chicago with CPS Competency Based Education, and Communities in Schools Chicago learn how to effectively manage this new normal while making time for our health and physical activity.  The events is free and open to the public and it will be recorded and shared if you register (as well as posted on the University of Chicago SSA/EUI website).  If you have questions about the event email events@ssa.uchicao.edu.
     
    FIND THE GRACE!  Thanks for your continued partnership and for being part of our village as we continue to FIND THE GRACE! 
     
    Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgiving, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” – Proverb
     
    We wish you and your family a blessed November, full of many great moments, lots of thanksgiving and GRACE.
     
    Please continue to reach out if we can be of any assistance in the counseling office to you and your family.  Please know of our continued thoughts and prayers.
     
    BLESSINGS,
    Laura Probus
  • Counselor's Corner Update: Happy Summer!

    Dear Holy Trinity Families,

    First and foremost, know of my continued thoughts and prayers, and please continue to reach out should I be of any assistance at lprobus@ht-school.org. It was so great to see most of you last week, even if for a short moment during a parade. It helped my heart! I want to wish you each a BLESSED summer. I am writing to share a short message for the HT Counselor Corner as we officially begin Summer.

    This school year has not ended as anyone wanted and we are going through some unprecedented and tough times. As you have most likely heard me say (many times), life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond! The world over, we are hoping that we will emerge from this tough time in life somehow changed for the better. With how difficult this has all been, that could be hard to imagine perhaps but I do believe that we will learn lessons about what really matters and how better to do what matters most. We are concerned (and challenged) to make the best use of this tough time and bizarre opportunity to reconsider our lives, our priorities, our work, our teaching perhaps? Basically, in the midst of all the bad, what is some good? I have talked to many teachers, students and parents and have been so impressed by their insights, so many of which are focusing on counting their blessings, not their troubles (many times after going through some sadness and frustration but finding light on the other side). I have to challenge myself to do this daily as well -- I’m learning to emphasize what I do have rather than what I don’t. That sounds so cliché but so much research does suggest that this helps. "Expressing thanks may be one of the simplest ways to feel better," according to the Harvard Mental Health Letter. "Gratitude helps people refocus on what they have instead of what they lack." I read recently that It’s always a good idea to count your blessings; it’s an even better idea to count them now in the midst of hardship and uncertainty. That makes sense! The research does indicate that doing so will lighten the burden and change your perspective. This is indeed a time of great trial but God is good. All the time. So my hope is that you find many blessings to count!

    My next thought is this, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” this was a tenet of Mahatma Gandhi. I do believe that putting our faith into action is imperative and our Holy Trinity Parish School Community is a wonderful example! Love of neighbor is the fundamental evidence of our Faith. Jesus clearly stated in John 13:13: "By this, all will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another." In times of crisis, our genuine love for others is the light to a world darkened by problems. Little acts of kindness can make a big difference so that is my next challenge – that the kiddos do at least one act of kindness daily 😊 (I will challenge myself to do the same). This small act of kindness could be a note of thanks to someone (maybe the awesome teachers 😊), cleaning their room for Mom and Dad, helping with other chores, playing with a smaller sibling, calling a grandparent, etc.

    I will share a story I read recently:
    A teacher brought balloons to school and asked the children to blow them all up and then each write their name on their balloons. They tossed all of the balloons in the hall while the teacher mixed them from one end to the other. The teacher then gave them 5 minutes to find their balloons with their name on it. The children ran around, looking frantically but as the time ran out – nobody found their own balloon. Then the teacher told them to take the balloon closest to them and give it to the person whose name was on it. In less than 2 minutes everyone had their own balloon. Finally, the teacher said, “Balloons are like happiness. No one will find it looking for theirs ONLY. Instead, if everyone cares about each other’s they will find theirs as quickly as possible.” Kindness can help spread happiness.

    I believe in the human spirit and that we will “get through this together.” I am hopeful that we will emerge united not only as a nation but globally, in overcoming this pandemic. Please continue to count your blessings and know of my thoughts and prayers. Wishing you all health, safety, and peace.

    “Remember the past with gratitude. Live the present with enthusiasm. Look forward to the future with confidence.” -St. John Paul II

    Please see a few resources below:
    Laura Probus, MSSW, C-SSW
    School Counselor

    Holy Trinity Parish School
    423 Cherrywood Rd.
    Louisville, KY 40207
    (502) 897-2785 ext. 150
  • Counselor's Corner Update: Resilience

    Dear Holy Trinity Parents,
     
    I thought this week it could be helpful to focus on RESILIENCE. How do we build resilience?  Building resilience is the ability to adapt well to adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or even significant sources of stress — it can help our children manage stress and feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. Some look at resilience as our ability to bounce back after we have struggled, faltered, or failed. It is being able to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, take a moment or two to collect ourselves, and then get back to the business of pursuing our goal (whatever that goal is – big or small). It involves optimism. However, being resilient does not mean that children won't experience difficulty or distress (unfortunately), but it can allow them tools to deal with these difficulties and adapt better.

    One of my favorite quotes is, "Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond."  Lately, I have been reminding myself of that quote more and more.  I cannot control the pandemic and all that is coming with that, much of which stinks (to put it bluntly), but what I can control is how I respond. I often remind kiddos that they are the “boss of their thoughts” – of course, we all are but sometimes we forget. Central to resilience are our beliefs and thoughts.

    I love Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and use it when working with kiddos often and feel it can be of benefit to use when trying to be more resilient. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy emphasizes that central to resilience are our beliefs because our thoughts influence the intensity of our feelings and of our actions, and how and what we think about unpleasant or difficult situations also greatly affects our core beliefs. Core beliefs that are irrational or unhelpful greatly contribute to anxiety and depression and affect our resiliency. So basically, how we respond to a situation (in all aspects) can be more important than what actually happened. This thinking process allows us to be more in control and I think it can be empowering.  Again, life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond. Practicing MINDFULNESS can help with all of this as well (helping to be more in the moment and not fret about what already happened or what may happen). 

    There are a number of resources on Mindfulness in links included in the Counseling Corner on the HT website.  If you want to learn more, there are so many resources on building resilience in kids.  Also, how CBT can play a role in helping to build resilience.  I have included a few links below for more information and feel free to reach out should you want more information or any assistance. 
     
    I will end with a short Scripture verse from Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Let us remember that!
     
    Please know of my continued thoughts and prayers and please reach out should I be of any help at all.
     
    Blessings,
    Laura Probus

    Resilience Website Resources:
    Book Suggestions: 
    App suggestion:
  • Counselor's Corner Update: Ms. Probus's Total Wellness Challenge

    As we enter another week of being healthy at home, I wanted to remind you of the wellness challenge for the students (after our focus last week was on taking care of yourself as parents). Check out the actual challenge posted on social media and the Counselor Corner webpage for students to complete if they want to do so. I have decided to include a few more resources here for you and your family, as well.  Again, please continue to reach out should I be of any assistance and know of my continued thoughts and prayers.  
  • Counselor Update: COVID-19 Resources, Links, Videos, and Tips

    Dear Holy Trinity Students and Families,

    I hope your distance learning is going well to this point.  First and foremost I want you each to know that you and your families remain in my thoughts and prayers.  Also, please know that you can contact me via email with any questions and/or for additional resources and support (lprobus@ht-school.org).  
     
    Below are some videos, resources, and tips that may be useful to you for self-care and social-emotional needs. Please know this is by no means an exhaustive list – Thankfully there are so many great online resources during this time to offer additional insight, information and support.  Specifically, the Calmakids website and some of the Youtube videos are great mindfulness videos for calming, relieving stress/anxiety, and it can help give our mind a break from academic tasks.  I have also included other resources, as well.  These are simply resources to serve as a support. As I said, feel free to reach out should you need anything or if I can be of assistance.
     
    Helpful Resources for Students and Parents: 
    Helpful Resources More Geared towards 6th-8th Grade Students and Parents:
    Additional Resources:
    A Few Tips:
    • Pray, remember the power of prayer! They can even write prayers in their journal (I often tell kids that prayer is a conversation with God).  We can turn it over to God and allow that to hopefully allow us some peace
    • Get outside: ride your bike, play a sport, go for a walk/run- keep your blood flowing (a minimum of 15 minutes of exercise per day is great for the mind)
    • Work off energy: do mindfulness exercises (slow deep breaths in/out for one-two minutes) or get outside for some fresh air
    • Stay on top of schoolwork: pace yourself, make a checklist, stay focus, and work hard
    • Take time for yourself: do something YOU enjoy!
    • Find three things each day that you enjoyed- have a conversation with your family about three things they enjoyed as well
    • Keep a journal and write in it each day for two-three minutes on the events of the day
    • Share the love with others- spend two minutes sending an email, text, or note to someone to help brighten their day (maybe with parent help and permission stay connected with friends through facetime, etc.)
    If you need anything, feel free to reach out to me and I will do my best to help you. Keep up the good work.

    Blessings,
    Laura Probus, MSSW, C-SSW
    School Counselor
  • Counselor Update: Practicing Parent Self-Care

    Dear Holy Trinity Parents,

    I say this often to others (and even myself) as a reminder and it seems apropos to share now. We hear it each time we get on the airplane. “In case of an emergency, put on your own mask first before assisting others.” At first, that sounds a bit selfish but upon further reflection, it makes so much sense. We truly cannot adequately (or for very long) care for others, if we don’t take care of ourselves first. To that end, I am simply reminding us all to do just that – in every aspect, physically, spiritually, socially, emotionally, mentally. I think it is so important that we step back and remember the importance of self-care. Next week, I plan to share a fun self-care challenge to our students as part of the weekly Counselor Corner but thought I should challenge you, the parents, of the importance of self-care first. You guys are amazing and we are in this together!

    I have read many recommendations on how to practice self-care (putting the oxygen mask on ourselves first) and love taking a holistic approach. There are many definitions of being holistic but most say that a holistic human being is someone who understands that their daily habits are the largest contribution to their lifespan and well-being. A holistic approach to body, mind, and soul can not only transform our health and well-being, but it can also benefit so many other aspects of our life -- relationships, help us be more patient, understanding, loving and generally help us to become more mindful and awake as a person in your day to day life. So how do we do that with the current situation of being #healthyathome? I would first say we do it creatively (and by carving out short intervals of time for YOU)! The past couple of weekly Counselor Corner posts on our HT Website have wonderful resources for kiddos on mindfulness and dealing with stress and many of those can help us all (no matter the age). Basically, find a piece of joy in as many of the small life moments as possible. Sometimes just BE. I think of a Scripture verse in Psalms: He says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” I have a picture in the School Counseling Office that reads, “Do one thing daily that makes you happy” – do that now! I do find it so important to me, and suspect it could help us all, to simply find a few minutes for reflection and gratitude daily as well (the small things, most especially now, are really the big things). For a few more specific tips – I have included an attachment to an article as well as video from a therapist on the importance of parents and caregivers to take care of themselves – put on their oxygen mask. With my office being in the fifth grade hallway, I miss hearing them end their school day with this Irish Blessing:
    May the road rise up to meet you.
    May the wind always be at your back.
    May the sun shine warm upon your face,
    and rains fall soft upon your fields.
    And until we meet again,
    May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

    That is my prayer for each of you! Please continue to reach out at lprobus@ht-school.org, should I be of any support. Please know of my continued thoughts and prayers.

    Blessings,
    Laura Probus

    Guide to Staying Sane During A Pandemic

    Parent Support: Staying Sane During Shelter in Place
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423 Cherrywood Road Louisville, KY 40207
(502) 897-2785
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