Note from the Counselors about Groups
Dear Parents & Families,
The Gahanna Middle School East School Counseling team is excited to offer two social emotional small group counseling offerings starting next semester. One group (for 6th grade only) is called FRIENDS and is centered on teaching skills about Finding friends, Respecting others, Interacting appropriately, Enhancing and maintaining friendships, learning Necessary social skills, Determining positive friendships, and Solving problems effectively. Our second group, open to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students, will cover a wide variety of topics meant to improve students' social skills, including coping with stress and anxiety, conflict resolution, self-esteem, and communication skills. Both of these groups will take place once a week, for six weeks, during your students' lunch period.
Please talk to your student to see if they are interested in signing up for one of these groups. Small group counseling works best when the student is a willing and enthusiastic participant. Groups will have no more than 10 participants, so depending on interest, your child may not be selected at this time, but put on a list if we are able to run additional sessions later in the year. If selected, you will be contacted by Mrs. Uniacke with the group's potential start date.
Given that counseling is based on a trusting relationship between counselor and client, the school counselor will keep the information shared by group members confidential except in certain situations in which there is an ethical responsibility to limit confidentiality. You will be notified in those circumstances.
By submitting this form, I give my informed consent for my child to participate in groups at Gahanna Middle School East. I understand that the group will provide an opportunity for members to learn and practice new interpersonal skills, discuss feelings, share thoughts, practice new behaviors, and make new friends. I also realize that anything group members share in group will be kept confidential by the guidance counselor in most cases. However, at-home discussions of content learning in group sessions will be encouraged.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Beth Uniacke & Mrs.Loni Williams
Opening of the New Wing
We are THRILLED to be moving into the new classrooms! Students helped to move many teachers into their new classrooms and some classes were held in the new wing starting today. The classrooms are beautiful and the students and staff loved to finally get in! There will be an open house for the public if anyone would like to see the addition on Wednesday, January 24 from 5 - 6 pm.
