NIS School Counselor Newsletter
Winter 2021
Welcome!
Below you'll find an overview and some updates on the kinds of support the school counseling team provides at NIS, as well as activities and resources for families and students.
You can find the contact information for the NIS School Counseling team - Rachel Foulkes and Aaron Peckham - at the bottom of this newsletter.
Please don't hesitate to reach out if there's anything you need!
Social-Emotional Learning
The school counselors will be teaching SEL (Social Emotional Learning) to all grade levels this school year. SEL will be a part of the specials rotation, with each grade level receiving SEL in a different trimester:
- Grade 3: Trimester 1 September 16- December 13
- Grade 4: Trimester 2 December 14- March 21 *Fourth graders are currently receiving SEL, and are beginning to learn about managing strong emotions!
- Grade 5: Trimester 3 March 22- end of the school year
The curriculum upon which our lessons are based is called Second Step, if you'd like to learn more here's the link to the Second Step website: https://www.secondstep.org/
Below, we've attached the scope and sequence of our SEL lessons at each grade level. These are outlines of topics covered in each unit/ lesson.
Small Groups and Lunch Bunches
Individual Student Check Ins
Individual student check-ins are typically unscheduled, short meetings with students (no longer than 30 minutes). Students may be pulled for individual check-ins for the following reasons:
- The student asked to meet with the school counselor because of a social or emotional problem they would like help with.
- The teacher requested a meeting between the student and the school counselor because they believe the student would benefit from more support and someone to talk to.
- A parent requests a check in with their child because of concerns about social-emotional health.
If we determine that your child could benefit from weekly check-ins to establish a connection in the school and receive more support, we will reach out to you to discuss this further.
It is important to note that school counselor check-ins are not long-term counseling services. If you feel your child needs more support, we are happy to discuss options with you and help you find appropriate services. Please reach out!
Resources
Nantucket Family Resource Center (NFRC)
https://www.nantucketfamilyresourcecenter.org/
(508) 815-5115
1 Freedom Square, Suite B
Nantucket, MA 02554
- "The NFRC offers FREE family support, services, family partners, clinical assessments, referrals, and school support services that aim to educate children, parents, and all caregivers."
- For support, reach out to the NFRC directly at the number above, or reach out to the NIS School Counselors who can help connect you.
Fairwinds Center - Nantucket's Counseling Center
https://www.fairwindscenter.org/
(508) 228-2689
20 Vesper Lane, L-1 Gouin Village
Nantucket, MA 02554
- Fairwinds offers outpatient counseling services for ALL ages, and has bilingual counselors as well as a bilingual receptionist.
- To receive services through Fairwinds, call their number (above) and they will complete a brief screening with you to help provide you with the most appropriate support.
- Urgent Behavioral Health Clinic: same-day appointments, free of charge, Monday- Friday from 5-6pm for more serious and urgent situations. Call the Fairwinds main number to access this clinic.
Activities
Screen-Free Activity Ideas
- Walking and hiking - check out the trail guides and maps on the Nantucket Conservation Foundation website: click here! NCF also offers free community walking tours - click here for more info.
- Create a COVID-19 time capsule - click here!
- Cooking/ Baking - try out a new recipe!
- Crafts - knitting, painting, drawing, collages
- Board games
- Build a Family Charter - click here to learn more
Movement Breaks and Brain Breaks