|
Dear
Parents,
I am
pleased to announce that we will be offering the Rainbows Program at St. Vincent
de Paul
School again this year. The Rainbows Program is an addition to our
curriculum
and is a
support group for our children, K-8, who are living in single parent families,
stepfamilies, or families that are going through painful transitions.
When
something significant happens in a family, the entire family is affected.
Even
through
death, divorce, and loss appear to be only grown-up problems, they have a
profound
effect on the children touched by these experiences. If a parent
dies or a
divorce
occurs, not only do the parents grieve, the children do also. Because of
their
age and
short life experiences, children find it extremely difficult to verbalize their
feelings
of grief. If your child is a part of a single parent family, a stepfamily,
has
experienced the loss of a loved family member, friend, or sibling, or is
struggling
with a
painful experience, this will be an opportunity for him/her to share with
someone
on the outside what is happening on the inside.
The
sessions will be approximately 30 minutes and the programs meets once a week
for 10
weeks. We will do our best to schedule the sessions during your child's PE
periods
or during lunch.
Rainbows
is NOT a counseling session or therapy for the children. It
is strictly a peer
support
group. Each session begins with a topic, rationale, and a teaching.
The
format
of each session is divided into four parts: theme, activity, discussion, and
closing
reflection.
Attached
to this letter is a registration form. If your child is eligible for this
program and
you
would like your child to participate, please read the form together and fill it
out to
register. There is no cost to you. This program is funded through
our Title IV money
received
from the federal government. Both you and your child must sign the
registration
form and
return it to the school office no later than September 22.
Through
the Rainbows support group, we hope to assist your child in expressing and
under-
standing
his/her feelings to feel acceptance for what has happened, and to feel a sense
of
belonging and love. If you need further explanation about this program,
please do not
hesitate
to contact the school.
Sincerely,
Mary B.
McLendon, Principal
|