LISTEN SUMMER CAMP SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 2021

 

It’s that time again! Scholarships for a FREE ONE WEEK of SUMMER CAMP * for your child are available this year from LISTEN, Inc. of Lebanon, NH.

 

Some camps are continuing to make plans/adjustments for COVID. However, this scholarship program is still happening. To Apply:

 

1.     Contact Guidance Counselor Ann O’Hearn to be added to her referral list. Ann’s contact info is: aohearn@rivendellschool.org, or #802-333-4668, or #333-9755.

 

2.     After you are referred, LISTEN, Inc. will call you to schedule a phone meeting. They will ask you what camp you are interested in, or tell you what is available. Camps include VINS, Montshire, Open Acres, AVA Art Gallery, CCBA, Camp Downer, Green Mountain Conservation, and more! (You can ask for funds for any camp.)

 

 

CONTACT Mrs. O’Hearn today to be added to her referral list! A $250 value!

 

·      See attached USDA income requirement document for eligibility

Or be participating in any of the following programs:

Fuel assistance, Medicaid, Food Stamps, Homeless, Subsidized Housing, SSI, TANF, CSFP, Town Welfare

LISTEN Agency Holiday Help Program 2020

 http://www.listencs.org/holiday-baskets

You may go to this website now (it opened on September 1) and apply for a Gift Card(s) for holiday presents. This year, this is how the agency is helping people through the holidays. They are able to help the first 200 families who apply. You must have a child under 18 in your home and also be income-eligible.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Ann O'Hearn

School Counselor

A Handful of Help

I teach in guidance class that “Everyone deserves a Handful of Help.” Please take a moment, and hold out your hand, palm up. The following information is what we learn:

·        Thumb. The thumb indicates your family. Your family includes everyone you consider family, whether or not they live close or far from you.

·        Pointer. The pointer is your friends. You may have few friends, or many friends, or just the desire to make friends.

·        Middle. The middle finger is school. Any adult(s) at school can be your school supports.

·        Ring. The ring finger is community people. These include doctors, nurses, counselors, coaches, club leaders, pastoral leaders, anyone else in the community who is in your life.

·        Pinkie. The pinkie is “911”. Fire, ambulance, hospital, police. All those resources to which you are entitled.

This Handful of Help applies to parents too!! Everyone deserves a handful of help. Can you name the people in your life according to each finger? Try it. As human beings, we do not get by in isolation. Everyone Deserves a Handful of Help. This can also be called your support system. You never have to go it alone. 

If you want to add me to your support system, send me an email, and explain what you are dealing with. I can listen, provide advice, make suggestions.etc.. A wide support system helps families. School counseling is always confidential, unless someone is being hurt. Then, I have an obligation to let someone else know so we can get more help. I'd explain those limitations of confidentiality the first time we make contact.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Ann O'Hearn, School Counselor

aohearn@rivendellschool.org, 802-333-9755, 802-333-4668

The School Counselor during Remote Learning

 I hope you are all safe and well. As you know, in order to best support the safety of our community the district has made the difficult decision to shift all learning to remote for the first month of school. While school is remote, know that elementary guidance services are still available for outreach, support and check-ins for all students by phone or email. Please know that these numbers are available during the schooldays, and on weekdays. After hour concerns or questions can be answered by calling 911 or your local community mental health center, which for us is The Clara Martin Center, 1-800-639-6360, or in New Hampshire, West Central Behavioral Health at 1-800-564-2578.

Ann O'Hearn, Elementary School Counselor, can be reached by email at aohearn@rivendellschool.org, or by phone at 802-333-9755 (SME students) or 802-333-4668 (Westshire Students).

Students who receive services from WeRHope will be contacted by them for continuity of care. Students who receive services from Dr. Sarah Stearns should contact special education case managers Tracy Martel or Laurie Gould to coordinate services.

The start of the school year can be stressful because it is a time of transition and starting new routines. In addition, the being remote can bring up issues of isolation and also make it more difficult to get help. It has not changed that I am here for you. Please do not hesitate to reach out. I look forward to meeting with you remotely, and in-person at school in the near future.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Ann O'Hearn

Elementary School Counselor

"The Social-Emotional Lives of our Students"

 

Counselor’s Corner

     As our children begin school they are going to be engaging in the return to some sense of normalcy. By returning to school, you should see their well-being increase. This week, I am writing to highlight some things that are going to happen that will probably boost your child’s happiness. First, participating in the routines and structure of the school day will be comforting and reassuring for children. Whatever your situation, check out the virtual page your child is learning on, and notice the things that happen day after day. Research shows that having rhythmic, repeated experiences help people feel safe and good. In particular, I think the daily getting together at Morning Meeting will be a welcoming, warm ritual that should really help your children.

     Another good thing that will be happening is that students will be getting back together socially. When children re-connect with important people in their lives such as teachers and friends, it’s a good thing. Having a strong social network just makes us healthier.

     The last thing I am learning about that helps kids during a crisis is having some time to reflect about what just happened. School assignments will be asking your kids to write about what their summer was like and how they feel about remote learning/hybrid learning formats. When kids are asked to share their experiences and think more deeply about their feelings, the benefit to them is that they will become more relaxed. The more self-reflective we are about what we are going through the better.  

     I look forward to re-connecting with everyone!

 

Sincerely,

Mrs. Ann O’Hearn, School Counselor

RISD Elementary

Relaxation!

Try to relax, and close your eyes and listen to this 3 minute video. It should feel really good after if you do the whole thing.

If you want to make an art and craft, I've also given you this idea about making a Fire Breathing Dragon breathing tube! Instructions are below.

Visualization - click here for the video!


Arts and Crafts Project:

How to Make a Fire-Breathing Dragon Breathing Tube:

     **Here’s what you’ll need:** 

- Paper Roll (Toilet paper roll, paper towel roll, or wrapping paper roll)

 - Green or Red Construction Paper

 - 2 Medium Pom Poms

- 2 Small Pom Poms

 - 2 Medium Googly Eyes

- Red, Yellow and Orange Tissue Paper

- Glue Stick 

STEPS:

 1. Cut the construction paper to the size of the paper roll so it will completely cover it. Use a glue stick to attach it to the roll.

2. Decorate with pompons.

3. Use a glue gun to attach the eyes to the pom poms.

 4. Attach the googly eyes to the pom poms.

5. Attach the pom poms to the paper tube.

6.  For the fire, use tissue paper, cut into about 9″ or 10″ long, pointy strips.

7. Then use a glue stick to attach them to the inside of the paper tube

YOU DID IT!  Aren’t they adorable?!  

Caution: Don’t share with people outside your family - stay safe! :)

Sincerely,

Mrs. O'Hearn

PUPPET SHOW!

Feeling stressed? Watch this ten-minute video and review strategies you can use when you think about COVID.
Enjoy!

Click here for the Puppet Show: https://safeyoutube.net/w/6K3E

Click here for more information and questions about how to talk with your child:

Vermont Family Network’s Puppets in EducationAnxiety Program: Home Edition

 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r88DlJ6BDeR3ZV3Fw9zF3FxmBlNWwA56upQjHbrU5sM/edit