MWES Counseling Update

Getting back to school is always such an exciting time! I'm so thankful to see all of our new and returning Braves! I hope that your family had an amazing summer break and that the transition back to school has been a good one!

Our new school wide character educaiton program is called Character Strong. This program in one word is - AMAZING! The elementary program is called Purposeful People. The program focuses on 3 main components: Be Kind (social skills and conflict-resolution); Be Strong (executive funtioning, organizing and goal setting) and Be Well (wellness and emotion regulation). Each month focuses on one of these components through the lens of a character trait. In Auugust we started with a Kindness Kickoff. Our word for September is Respect. Each student paticipates in a Purposeful People lesson each morning with their classroom teacher.

Character Strong provides information to families each month to allow you to engage with your child(ren) at home. There are discussion prompts and family challenges that I think your family will really enjoy! You will find links those materials below.

Chrysanthenum - Kevin Henkes

My Name is Sangoel - Karen Williams

Nugget & Darling - Barbara Joose

Inside Out & Back Again - Thanha Lai

Do Unto Otters - Laurie Keller

The Hula Hoopin' Queen - Lynne Godin

Teamwork Isn't My Thing, I Don't Like to Share - Julia Cook

The Golden Rule - Ilene Cooper

What If Everybody Did That? - Ellen Javernick

Shhh! - Jenne Willis

The Brownstone - Paula Scher

Bringing Asha Home - Uma Krishnaswami

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story - Kevin Noble Mallard

The Juisce Box Bully - Maria Dismondy

The Colors of Us - Karen Katz

Howard B Wigglebottom Learns About Sportsmanship - Howard Binkow

The Orange Slices - Trinka Hakes Noble

A Different Pond - Bao Phi

Giraffes Can't Dance - Giles Andreae

Draw the Line - Kathryn Otoshi

Earth Day - Horray! - Stuart J. Murphy

Alma and How She Got Her Name - Juana Martinez-Neal

Remarkably You - Pat ZIetlow Miller

Frankie - Mary Sullivan

Hey Little Ant - Phillip and Hannah Hoose

Good-bye Bully Machine - Debbie Fox & Allen Beane

The Name Jar - Yangsock Choi

Whoever You Are - Mem Fox

Ready, Freddy! Kindness Counts! - Abby Klein

The Subway Sparrow - Leyla Torres

Mrs. Katz and Tush - Patricia Polacco

Did you know that we offer a mental health care coordination service for students and their families through a program called Care Solace? This is a free service to our community. The Care Solace team links you with mental health providers in our area that work with your insurance. The service is 100% confidential. Check out the flyer below for more information, as well as, the Care Solace website. I can also start a referral for you with this service if you'd like.

School Counseling Services offered with Mrs. Franklin

• Classroom Lessons:

• All students will have access to classroom counseling lessons that cover a variety of topics. These include but are not limited to: emotion identification, social skills, growth mindset, self-regulation, perseverance, empathy, self-advocacy, self-care (just to name a few).

• Small Groups:

• Small groups are set up on an as needed basis and students are determined through collaborating with teachers and families.

• Small group topics include but are not limited to: managing worries, friendship/social skills, executive functioning skills, self-esteem, coping with anger, grief, family changes, stress management (just to name a few). The school counselor will communicate with the family when a referral is made for small group counseling.

• Individual Counseling:

• Short term individual counseling sessions run on an as needed basis. Students can be referred by teachers or parents/guardians. Students can also request to see me on their own. The school counselor will communicate with the family when referral is made for individual counseling.

• We have mental health providers that work in our building to provide school-based therapy services for students from outside agencies. MWES has partnerships with BCPS LCSW, Kelsey Reynolds, Stephanie Volpert with Seven Counties Services and Zanda Boggs with Lecorgan Counseling. If there is a need to refer your child to any of these agencies, I would personally call to discuss this with you.

• I can also help you to find an outside agency/provider if you would like for your child to receive services outside of the school day.

As always reach out to me at any time!

alicia.franklin@bullitt.kyschools.us

502-869-3000

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