Supporting the Whole Child: at School and at Home

This spring, the Saint James School Parent Association continued the Parent Education Series with a meaningful and well-attended session focused on supporting children’s social and emotional growth.

The evening also served as a reminder of the vital role the Parent Association plays in the life of the school. From planning events and fundraisers that directly benefit students to creating intentional opportunities like this one, the STJPA invests countless hours into strengthening the school community and supporting both families and faculty.

Each semester, the STJPA hosts a parent education meeting designed to better equip parents and educators with tools to support students both in and out of the classroom. This ongoing commitment reflects our shared belief in the importance of partnering together to build up every child.

The evening’s program featured Elementary School Counselor Mrs. Laura Gibson and Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Ali King, who introduced families to Zones of Regulation, a nationally recognized framework used in the Nicole McKinney Burton Early Learning Center and Saint Jame Elementary School.

Mrs. Gibson, who has served as Elementary School Counselor for seven years, brings a depth of experience to her role, including a Master of Education in School Counseling, a post-graduate certificate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, and designation as a National Certified Counselor.

Through the Zones of Regulation, students learn to identify their emotions, understand how those feelings influence behavior, and develop strategies to respond in healthy and productive ways. By creating a safe language around emotions, the framework helps students build self-awareness, self-control, and confidence.

During the session, Mrs. Gibson and Mrs. King shared how these strategies are integrated into the daily rhythm of the classroom, giving students consistent opportunities to practice emotional awareness and regulation. Just as importantly, parents were given practical, easy-to-implement strategies to reinforce these concepts at home.

When school and home are in sync, students experience consistency that strengthens their ability to overcome challenges and build strong relationships.

The evening reinforced STJ’s commitment to supporting the whole child and the power of a strong partnership between school and family. The Parent Education Series will continue to provide opportunities for families to learn, connect, and grow together.

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