Counselor's Corner - DeSmet Public School

Caitie Bloom

School Counselor K-8
Email Caitie
ext – 222

An Introduction To Mrs. Bloom

Hello!

My name is Caitie Bloom and I am the School Counselor here at DeSmet. I have lived in Montana my whole life and there’s no place I would rather be! My husband and I have a golden retriever named Marlie. We love hiking, running, fishing, skiing, and backpacking! I graduated from the University of Montana with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and went on to get my master’s in school counseling. I am also registered with the National Board of Certified Counselors.

My training and program align with the American School Counseling Association’s national standards, as well as, the Montana School Counseling Association to promote student success in three domains: Personal/Social, Academics, and Career Readiness. I am here to support your student(s), whether that is on an individual level, small groups or through in-classroom counseling (which all classes have once a week). Please feel free to call, leave a message or email if you have any questions/concerns. I look forward to working with you!

Sincerely,
Caitie Bloom
549-4994 ext. 222
cbloom@desmetschool.org

Helpful links:
Hand in Hand — Youth Crisis Diversion Project — Struggle Means Learning —Parenting Montana — Practically Perfect Parenting—Youth Dynamics

The Zones of Regulation

I think it’s important for students to develop knowledge and insight about their emotions and how this might impact them at school or during interactions with others throughout their day. The Zones of Regulation teach about 4 different “zones” an emotion can fall into. The goal is for kids to know how to get back to the green zone which means they are “ready to learn”.

Students learn which zone a certain feeling can be associated with and, in addition, they learn coping skills and tools to get back to the green zone. These lessons are also helpful to teach empathy and awareness about how other people are feeling.

Kelso's Choices

Have You Seen this Frog?

During the first few months of I will be visiting students in K-3rd classes to talk to them about Kelso. Kelso is a frog that assists children in identifying and solving problems between people. According to Kelso, there are two sizes of problems: big and small.

Small problems are not very dangerous and not very scary. Children can work to solve their own small problems using self-generated solutions or using some of Kelso’s solutions (see solution wheel below). Kelso asks children to try at least two of his choices before going to an adult for assistance.

Big problems are scary, dangerous and can result in physical injury. Children should not attempt to solve big problems on their own. They should seek help from adults they trust.

If a child brings a small problem to you without first trying to solve it on their own, the best thing to say is: “Is this a big problem or a small problem? Is it very scary or dangerous (no) Okay please use one or two of Kelso’s choices to try to solve this on your own. I’d be happy to hear how you solved the problem afterwards.” After your child has solved his/her problems be sure to provide the appropriate reassurance and positive feedback for a job well done.

Kelso’s program empowers children to identify and solve their own problems. Teachers and parents have reported a decrease in tattling/telling tales after using this program. Children appreciate having options from which to choose and to be given the opportunity to positively affect their own environment.

All of the elementary students know Kelso and his methods to solve problems, as this program is used school wide from kindergarten to grade 5. If you use this language at home your child will be exposed to a consistent response from adults and will begin to respond to conflict with more independence. With consistency, all our students can become independent problem solvers!