Welcome back to another episode of School Counseling Simplified. Today we are talking about how to create a parent newsletter, something I personally send out every month to my IMPACT members and one of the resources they love the most.

I want to pull back the curtain and share exactly how I structure my parent newsletters so you can try this in your own counseling program. For the next few months, I am running a themed series, and right now the focus is on screen time, a topic I am incredibly passionate about.

Parent newsletters are a powerful way to advocate for your role, communicate proactively with families, and support students beyond the school day. Here is how I structure mine.

School Counselor Services This section highlights the services the school counselor provides and helps families understand how and when students can receive support. For February, I am breaking down the three tiers of support and explaining what each tier looks like in a school counseling program.

Monthly Topic Focus Each newsletter includes a specific social emotional learning topic. This month, the focus is screen time and smartphone use. I share research based information related to screen time and brain development so parents understand why this topic matters.

Activities to Try at Home I always include a simple, accessible activity families can do together. For example, tossing a ball back and forth while answering guided questions as the child catches the ball. These activities are designed to be low pressure and easy to implement.

Parenting Resources The final section includes an additional resource such as a video, podcast episode, or printable guide. This month, I am sharing a technology agreement PDF that families can use at home to set clear expectations around screen use.

If you would like this month's parent newsletter for free, you can grab it directly in the show notes.

Resources Mentioned:

• Join IMPACT

• stressfreeschoolcounseling.com/individual

• freebie ---> https://brightfutures-counseling.com/pages/free-school-counseling-parent-newsletter

• https://www.waituntil8th.org/

Connect with Rachel:

• TpT Store

• Blog

• Instagram

• Facebook Page

• Facebook Group

• Pinterest

• Youtube

More About School Counseling Simplified:

School Counseling Simplified is a podcast offering easy to implement strategies for busy school counselors. The host, Rachel Davis from Bright Futures Counseling, shares tips and tricks she has learned from her years of experience as a school counselor both in the US and at an international school in Costa Rica.

You can listen to School Counseling Simplified on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more!