If you would like to keep the anti-bullying message going over the summer here are some MCPS-approved books for you to read along with your children:

Social Bullying

• Odd Girl Out by Rachel Simmons
• Mean Chicks, Cliques and Dirty Tricks by Erika Shearin Karres
• Queen Bees and Wannabees by Rosalind Wiseman
• Reviving Ophelia by Mary Bray Pipher

Physical and Verbal Bullying

• Bully, the Bullied and the Bystander by Barbara Colorso

Cyber Bullying

• Mean Behind the Screen, What You Need to Know About Cyber bullying by Toney Allman

FMS counselors will have a variety of counseling groups for students this year beginning early October!  These specific topic groups will be held once a week, for 45 min and run for 7 weeks.  Groups will meet on a rotating schedule so each class is only missed once.  Students can be referred to a group by a teacher, counselor, principal, self-referral or parent request.  If your child wishes to be in a group or has been referred by a staff member, a permission slip will be sent home for you to sign.  If you wish to refer your child just call or send an email indicating what group you are requesting.  As long as we have enough student interest, the following groups will be facilitated this year:
 

·          Stress Busters (stress management)
·          Changing families (dealing with a divorce or separation)
·          All About me! (self esteem)
·          Got Friends? (social skills and making friends)
·          Good Grief (dealing with a loss of a loved one)
·          Just Chill (anger management)
·          Positive Choices (learning how to make better choices and staying out of trouble!)
           

Description of Small Groups 

·       Stress Busters  I often feel nervous or upset and I have trouble calming down.  I feel overwhelmed with school, friends or outside activities.  I want help learning how to relax and feel better.

·       Just Chill  I often get angry and say or do things that get me into trouble.  I want to talk about what makes me angry and learn how to control my temper.

·       Changing Families My parents are separated or divorced and I am having trouble dealing with the change.  I want to talk to other students who are experiencing the same stress at home.  I want to learn how to cope with my changing family.

·       Good Grief Someone I was close to has recently died.  I am often feeling sad and having trouble concentrating at school.  I want to talk about my loss and learn about the feelings I am experiencing. 

 ·       Got Friends? I feel lonely at school or home and I wish I had more friends.  Maybe it is because I am shy, or people get mad at me easily and I’m not sure why.  I want to learn how to meet new people and keep lasting friendships. 

·       All about me!  I don’t feel great about myself sometimes.  I often feel like I can’t do the things I want to do or other people are better than me.  I say things to myself like, “I can’t do it, they won’t like me, I’ll never win etc…) I wish I had more confidence.  I want to learn how to feel better about myself and appreciate what makes me special and unique! 

·       Positive Choices  Did you often find yourself in trouble last year?  Were teachers constantly on your back about your behavior?  Are you ready to make a change this year?  If you want a place to get ideas and strategies about how to make better choices, please sign up for this group! 

If you would like your child to participate in any of these counseling groups or would like more information, please contact your child’s grade level counselor or Heather Sobieralski, counselor for small groups at (301) 924-3113.   If you prefer, you may send in this completed form in an envelope to your child’s counselor.

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

Counseling Group Participation Form

Child’s Name:  _______________________________________

Grade:  ____________________________________________

Possible Group Choices:  _______________________________

__________________________________________________

Parent’s Name:  ______________________________________

Phone:  ____________________________________________

The FMS Counseling Department has planned an informative evening to help parents navigate the challenges that can arise in middle school.  Please join us on Thursday, September 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Farquhar’s Library Media Center. Hear a panel of experts discuss strategies to help children ages 10-14 with the issues surrounding stress, bullying, anxiety and depression. For more information, please contact the FMS Counseling Department at 301-924-3113.

Additional Program Note: From 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Room 4, FMS Physical Education and Health teachers will be available so that parents can view the MCPS Family Life and Human Sexuality and the Disease Prevention and Control units for all three grade levels.