Resources for Mindfulness and Social Emotional Learning

Funded Sep 7, 2021

I can't even begin to thank you enough for your generosity. It truly means so much to me that there are so many people that are willing to share their kindness and goodness with my students. Some of the students that I work with, as a school counselor, could really use more of that kindness and goodness in their lives. The population of students that I deal with has more stress and uncertainty than most adults and are expected to be able to handle all of that as well as learn and succeed in school. Sometimes children's mental health needs are overlooked or considered not as important to some but I am a firm believer that those needs are just as important, if not more so because they are growing and learning and need that mental health stability in order to be successful in their growth and development.

The funding provided for my counseling room has allowed me the opportunity to work with students in a way that I would not have been able to do without the materials provided. Craft materials like crayons, markers, scissors and scrapbook papers have allowed me to implement art therapy in my counseling sessions. Some of my students with high anxiety have really taken to ZenTangle doodling which is a great tool to help them to calm and refocus their brain. The conversation cubes and topic jars give my more shy and timid students easy ways to start talking during counseling sessions. This opens up their minds by starting conversations with easy topics that naturally progresses to deeper thoughts. The snacks funded helped provide snacks to many students who don't have enough food at home and come into school hungry. These snacks allow my students to take their minds off of their growling tummies long enough to focus on learning! The many games provided allow me to engage students with fun activities during my small group sessions. Oftentimes, it is easier to talk and share with others that you are having fun with rather than just sitting in a circle and listening.

One of my favorite donations to my room are my counseling pamphlets. These are interactive pamphlets that cover a range of topics that I like to teach my students about such as anger management, anxiety, self esteem, self control, goal setting, boundaries, coping skills, bullying and many more. They have pictures for the students to color as we work through them as well as games and activities for the students to do. I love being able to pull one of these out and work with my students on something that they are struggling with and then they get to take it with them when they leave. I also love when a student stops by and says "Mrs. Lewis, can I grab one of those pamphlets for my friend" because it shows me that the kids are receptive to them and that they are doing their job!

As a first year counselor, I couldn't have asked for a better group of kids! I am so thankful and humbled that your donations helped to make this year a success for them! So thank you from the bottom of my heart!”

With gratitude,

Mrs. Lewis