Here I will post news and resources for families and teachers from a school counselor's perspective. 

Another great hike! Nice job, MECA hikers. Next stop, Wu Ledges (10/25).

Another great hike! Next Monday, 10/7, the Fayston Hiking Club is hiking to Stark's Nest, a shorter but more technical hike. Are they up for challenge? (Short answer: Yes!)

Interested in learning how to practice deep breathing with your child? If so, check out Deep Breathing Exercises for Kids! It's a great resource with numerous deep breathing exercises and related craft projects. It also provides a kid-friendly review of the benefits of taking deep breaths.

Another great adventure! Nice work, hikers! This Friday the MECA Hiking Club is hiking Sunset Ledge with its beautiful view of Lake Champlain. Thank you, again, to our photographer, Jeremy Hill. 

On Monday, the Fayston Hiking Club went our their second hike of the season to Mount Ellen. I was left feeling wowed by their "stick-to-itiveness" on that steep hike. Thank you Karrie Thomas, Sara Pomerantz and Amy Jamieson for joining us. And a special THANK YOU to Sara for taking photos. Our next hike is to Burnt Rock! 

Last Friday, the MECA Hiking Club went on their inaugural hike to Hunger Mountain. The hikers did an amazing job! I was impressed by their grit and perseverance on what is long, difficult hike. Here I will post pictures from each hike. This is a sample of the photos taken (thank you, Jeremy Hill!). 

At Moretown, kindergarten students are learning how to be a good friend. We started with Fox Makes Friends, about a young fox who learns how to make friends by being together and helping each other. Next, we will brainstorm other ways to make and keep friends.
Picture books are a great way to teach kids how to be a good friend. For inspiration, check out the following book list:

The Fayston Hiking Club went on their first hike to Mount Abraham. We did things a little different this year, starting with a longer, more difficult hike, and the hikers exceeded our expectations! Well done, hikers! Next Monday (9/23) we will hike Mount Ellen. 

At the beginning of the year, I like to connect with every student. This typically takes place through a "lunch bunch" group. I meet with groups of students during lunch, we chat and sometimes play a game. The sole purpose of these groups is to reconnect after the summer, or meet for the first time! I work with the classroom teachers to create these groups. Sometimes we meet during snack time, a "snack bunch" (definitely a less catchy name!).