Formal and Informal counseling services are offered to students experiencing social, emotional, or behavioral difficulties that may hinder their progress in school. Formal counseling services are provided to our Special Education students in accord with their IEP. Informal services can be provided for your child with parental consent. Counseling may be individual or small group, depending on your child's needs. Groups that are offered at Kensico may include self-esteem groups, anger management groups, or social skills groups.

Banana Splits is a popular program designed to help children cope in a positive way with the stresses associated with divorce or family separations. It gives children who need this extra support the chance to meet and talk with other children, and realize they are not alone. The groups meet twice monthly during school hours, and are facilitated by the School Psychologist. Based on the program designed by Liz McGonagle, this is not considered a counseling situation; the group's facilitator guides discussion and projects around issues generated by the students.

There are a number of other services that your School Psychologist can provide to ensure your child's academic and social success in school. Please feel free to contact her during regular school hours.

Helpful websites for parents and families:

• www.familyeducation.com
• www.positiveparenting.com
• www.talkingwithkids.org
• www.kidsource.com
• www.fema.gov/kids
• www.ed.gov/parents
• www.naspcenter.org/parents/parents.html

Mrs. Carty's "mini-site" has information about what the ESL program is, what different things the students in the program are doing, and more!