fabulous families small group counseling

I would like to do one more counseling small group opportunity for Kindergarten and 1st Graders as we wrap up the 2018-19 school year! I'm writing to ask permission for working with your son or daughter about how families come in all shapes and sizes, and it's all okay! We'll also be discussing how families may change from time to time, again, reinforcing that even when it doesn't feel okay, it is a "new normal" and that's okay. We'll be playing games, drawing pictures, reading books, moving and sharing discussions. I don't anticipate any heart wrenching disclosures, but I wanted to check in about that. Our district requires a signed permission for students to participate in school counseling small group work. Here is the confidentiality clause:

School counselors strive to maintain confidentiality, but there are limitations within a group setting. We promote open student discussions during group sessions. As a result, we ask students not to share comments made by other students outside of the group setting. Likewise, we ask parents to inquire only about their individual child’s involvement in the group. School counselors only break confidentiality when a student reports he/she has or is planning to harm him or herself or others, or if he/she has or is being harmed by someone else.

If you're good to go on this opportunity for your child, please reply. We'll call that your electronic signature, and we've covered our bases paperwork wise. I'm glad to answer any questions you may have (803-821-2807). I apologize for the communication being an email -- I've tried to check in with some of you, but I wasn't completing the task fast enough?! I look forward to assisting in the "fabulous families" experience with those children it's a right fit opportunity!

5/1/19

We met today with students who were available! We had a student on the field trip and one absent, so we'll do a redo of "Day 1" next week! Each week we'll be playing a game and thinking through how families are fabulous no matter the "composition." Some students have brothers and sisters, some have moms and step moms, all families are okay--not one flavor is better than another! Thank you for sharing your child with me. I think this is going to be a fun little group of people to enjoy the end of the year together!

5/8/19

Thank you for sharing your child with our Fabulous Families Small Group experience! Today we shared a little about our families and then created a spider's web with a ball of yarn. We talked about how families are alike and different, and one kind of family is not better or worse, all families are fabulous! We took turns moving in and out of the web we created. We had to be flexible and work through the tangles, just like when we have challenges with our families. Everybody left feeling pretty good.

We will meet on the following Wednesdays: 5/15, 5/22, 5/29. Each week we'll play a game and have a nugget of idea to ponder.

Thank you, again, for sharing your child with me!

5/15/19

Circle of Control

Parachute Yoga

5/22/19

Circle of Control

Jenga Yoga

5/29/19

Charlie Anderson by Barbara Abercrombie

Draw and share a picture of your family