Counseling

Being the new student is not easy. Walking into a new school can feel like everyone already has friends, knows everyone and knows what to do. This is partly true. But you need to remember that this didn’t happen overnight. It takes time to meet people, understand the school environment, and feel comfortable. Here is some advice from your counselors:

Be Brave – take a risk and smile at people, say “hello” and introduce yourself.

Be Confident in Who You Are – There are tons of different types of kids on campus, you will find your people, but this can take some time and that’s okay.

Get Involved – Sometimes it’s hard to get to know others in the classroom. Joining a club or sports team of interest helps you to get to know other people who have similar interests.

Lunch Time – This can be the scariest time when you are a new student. Remember that all the students in your classes all have the same lunch period as you. So, if you meet someone that you connect with in one of these classes – be brave and ask them if you can meet them at lunch and eat with them. (Guess what- they almost always say “Yes!”) Remember that adjusting to a new school takes time. You may not see these things happen overnight so remember to give yourself a break.

Coping Strategies for Middle School Students

Middle school can be a time of big changes and new challenges, so it's essential for students to have a set of healthy coping strategies to handle stress, tough emotions, and social pressure.

• Mindfulness and Relaxation:
  • Breathing exercises: Teach simple techniques like taking a few slow, deep breaths to calm the body and mind. This can be done anywhere, anytime.
  • Listen to music: Creating a playlist of calming or upbeat music can be a great way to manage emotions.
  • Creative expression: Hobbies like drawing, painting, or writing can be powerful outlets for processing feelings.
• Emotional Regulation:
  • Talk it out: Encourage students to share their feelings with a trusted adult, like a parent, teacher, or school counselor. Just talking about a problem can make it feel more manageable.
  • Journaling: Writing down thoughts and feelings in a notebook can help students gain clarity and perspective on what is causing their stress.
• Physical Activity and Self-Care:
  • Move your body: Physical activity is one of the best ways to release stress. Taking a walk, playing a sport, or even dancing to a favorite song can make a huge difference.
  • Get enough sleep: Emphasize that sleep is crucial for a healthy mind. A well-rested brain is better at handling stress and solving problems.

Friendship Tips for Young Teens    

Making and keeping friends can feel tricky, but it's a super important part of being a teen. Good friendships give you a sense of belonging, confidence, and support. Here are some tips to help you build and maintain healthy friendships.

Finding Friends

The best way to make friends is to find people with shared interests. When you do something you love, you'll naturally meet others who feel the same way.

• Join a club or team: This is a great way to meet people who like the same things you do, whether it's a sports team, a school club, a volunteer group, or a video game community.
• Put your phone away: It might feel awkward, but scrolling on your phone can make you seem unapproachable. Try to make eye contact and be open to conversations when you're in a social setting.
• Be a great listener: When you're talking to someone new, ask them questions about themselves and their interests. Really listen to their answers to find common ground.
• Be the "inviter": Don't wait for others to make plans. Take the lead and ask people to hang out, like going to the movies, playing video games, or just grabbing a snack.
• Being a Good Friend Once you have friends, it's important to be a good one in return. Healthy friendships are built on respect, trust, and kindness.

• Be supportive and trustworthy: Stand up for your friends and be someone they can rely on. Keep their secrets and be there for them when they're going through a tough time.
• Give and take: A good friendship should be balanced. Make sure you both feel heard and valued, and that you're both putting in effort to maintain the relationship.
• Communicate openly: Learn how to talk through problems and disagreements. If you have an issue, try to be assertive and explain how you feel without blaming the other person.
• Know when to let go: Not all friendships last forever, and that's okay. If a friend makes you feel bad about yourself, or pressures you into things you don't want to do, it might be an unhealthy friendship. You have the right to end it.

Dealing with Peer Pressure

Peer pressure is when you feel like you have to do something to fit in. It can be hard to say no, but staying true to yourself is the most important thing.

• Practice saying no: It's okay to say "no, thanks," or "not for me." You don't have to give a long explanation.
• Suggest an alternative: If your friends are doing something you're not comfortable with, suggest a different activity.
• Find positive peer partners: It's easier to resist pressure when you have at least one friend who shares your values and is also willing to say no.
• Talk to a trusted adult: If you're struggling with peer pressure, don't be afraid to talk to a parent, teacher, or school counselor. They can help you figure out how to handle the situation.

Academic Advice

Get Organized

• Use a planner. This is your secret weapon. Write down every single assignment, test date, and project deadline. Check it every day so nothing slips through the cracks.
• Keep your materials organized. Use a separate folder or binder for each class. This way, your notes and handouts are always where you expect them to be, which saves you a ton of time and stress.

Create the Right Environment

• Find a quiet place to work. Your bed might be comfortable, but it's not the best place for homework. A desk or a kitchen table works much better.
• Eliminate distractions. This is a tough one, but it's crucial. Put your phone on silent and in another room, close unnecessary tabs on your computer, and let your family know when you need to focus.

Learn to Study Smart

• Don't just read—actively learn. Instead of just rereading your notes, try making flashcards, summarizing key concepts in your own words, or even explaining the topic out loud as if you were teaching it to someone else.
• Take short, frequent breaks. Studying for hours straight can lead to burnout. Try the Pomodoro Technique: study for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. After four rounds, take a longer break.

Take Care of Yourself

• Get enough sleep. Your brain needs rest to absorb and remember what you've learned. Aim for at least 8-10 hours of sleep per night.
• Ask for help. If you're confused about something, don't wait. Talk to your teacher, a parent, or a friend. Everyone struggles sometimes, and asking for help is a sign of strength.

Resources:

Infinite Campus
Course Catalog
Safety and Security

Helplines

EMERGENCY or IMMEDIATE HELP:
9-1-1  

National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:
988 Call or Text

Teen Lifeline:
(602) 248- 8336 (TEEN) Call or Text

Crisis Text Line:
741-741

Maricopa Crisis Line:
602-222-9444 

Safe Domestic Violence Services
(480)-890-3039 or text LOVEIS to 22522  

Chandler Police:
(480) 782-4000  

 Hotline numbers:

Pinal County Crisis Line 
Text HOME to 741-741

Crisis Text Line

1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678

The Trevor Project (primarily for LGBTQ community)

Resetting Your CUSD Password

 If you are already logged on to a CUSD computer and need to change your password for security reasons, the easiest way to do so is to press Ctrl-Alt-Delete on your computer and select the Change a Password option.

On the next screen, enter your old password and new password in the appropriate fields and click the arrow button to change your password. Be sure your new password is typed exactly the same on both lines (New password and Confirm password).

If you are not on a CUSD computer or if you have forgotten your password, you can use the self-service portal to change your password or reset a forgotten password. To reset a forgotten password, users must have previously logged in to the portal and set their password recovery questions. If they haven't already, we strongly encourage all users to log in to the portal to set their password recovery questions and to update their recovery questions as needed.

Instructions on accessing and using the portal are described below.

Accessing the Self-Service System

There are two ways to access the self-service password system:

1. On a CUSD computer, click on the My Password link located in the “Staff Links” & “Student Links” desktop folders, or
2. On any computer, open a web browser and go to: https://myaccount.microsoft.com

STOPit Anonymous Reporting System

STOPit allows individuals to anonymously report safety, misconduct, or compliance concerns to help others or connect with a Crisis Counselor from the Crisis Text Line™ to help themselves.

CALL: (512) 649-8939

Download the app:

Apple
Google Play

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