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Also coming to SMS, is a special support group for students who have a family member or parent incarcerated. The group will be meeting at SMS. I currently have four students. Please email me the name of any student who you know has or had a family member incarcerated. The group will focus on building self-esteem, help with feelings of shame and isolation, decrease stress, address anger issues and strengthen communication skills.

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Class presentations for 7th and 8th grade students on Suicide Prevention Education in compliance with Assembly Bill 2246.

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I appreciate everything you do and value your dedication to our students (and parents).

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SUSD is launching STOP IT a mobile app to anonymously report incidents of bullying cyberbully and self-harm.  On Feb 8, Mr. Cordano's and Ms. Lapachet's PE classes will receive the presentation.  Students in Mr. Daniels' and Ms. Walsh's PE classes will receive the presentation on Feb. 15th.  This app will not replace the preferred method (in person), but will allow those who are less comfortable with reporting directly a venue.  I will continue to encourage students to fill a Request to see the Counselor when possible.

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Since my arrival, I have been referring students to the Center for Health and Human Services for mental health concerns.  As a result of the established need, SUSD has hired a Clinician to support students whose needs are beyond the capacity of a School Counselor. Her name is Elizabeth Purto.  She will rove between SUSD schools and will be at SMS  1.5 days a week.  As we move into a Multi-Tiered System of Support school, we have tiered the Clinician as a Tier 2.

Tiffany Aguilar is a Counselor Intern primarily assigned to Sisk Elementary. She is working on getting fieldwork hours in middle school and will be at SMS once a week working with academically at-risk students.  She and I will focus on 6th and 7th graders as they will be our darlings for a little while longer.

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SMS has partnered with Stanislaus County/Department of Prevention & Early Intervention Services to provide school-based support to some of students.  The Aggression Replacement Training (A.R.T.), is a new group that will be starting tomorrow, February 8th.  ART is an anger management program and has been proven to help youth in the area of problem-solving skills, effective (emotional) control and to learn new skills needed to help them to be successful in life. It is currently being implemented with the following agencies: Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall, Behavioral Health and Juvenile Recovery Services and Modesto City Schools.  I will be emailing teachers the names of those students who will be attending.