Student Connections is a support group program for Chippewa Falls Middle School students, and is offered to assist students in effectively addressing issues and concerns common to early adolescence. The Student Connections program is a proactive approach to addressing the emotional well-being of students and will positively contribute to the overall learning environment of the school.  The purpose of the Student Connections program is to promote positive, interpersonal, social, and academic growth in students by giving them the opportunity to acquire developmentally appropriate coping skills and problem-solving techniques.

How does the program work?

Groups of students (maximum of ten) meet with an adult facilitator for 50 minutes weekly for eight to ten weeks.

Who is invited?

All Chippewa Falls Middle School students.

What are the benefits of these groups?

A place to:

• Be listened to
• Set goals
• Be reassured
• Give/get information
• Give/feel support
• Raise self-esteem
• Better understand self & others
• Take positive action
• Realize you're not alone
• Show a caring attitude

Where are groups held?

Various rooms within the Chippewa Falls Middle School.

When are groups held?

Rotating meeting times throughout the school day.

What are the goals for these support groups?

• To give students opportunities to give and receive support.
• To allow students the opportunity to address personal/family/school concerns that may be affecting their learning.
• To teach students coping skills.
• To promote positive and healthy choices.
• To prevent minor concerns/issues that students deal with from becoming major ones.
• To help students work cooperatively with each other.
• To improve the school climate for students and staff at CFMS.

What groups are offered:

• Friendship Foundations--This group is designed to support students in identifying, fostering and maintaining healthy friendships.  Students will learn how to work through conflict with their friends, communicate effectively, and set and respect boundaries.
• ADHD Avengers--This class examines positive traits of ADHD and how they make students unique. Participants will analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and explore new tools and strategies to help them grow in these areas. Our goal is to remind students of their “ADHD Superpowers.”
• It's OK That You're Not Okay--Strategies for coping with your feelings when someone close to you is seriously ill or has passed away.
• Free Being Me--This group is perfect for all students struggling with self-esteem, self-worth, and comparison.  Students will learn about their inner critic and try out new tools to help tame it when negativity arises. We will discuss the pros and cons of social media and how to create a social media experience that doesn’t tear down self-esteem.
• Ducks In A Row (Therapeutic Organization)-- This group focuses on skills to stay organized when you are stressed or having difficulty focusing.  Learn how to get your ducks in a row when your mind goes blank or when you have a hard time sitting still.  Learn how to get organized in a way that makes sense to you, gain skills in recognizing and managing emotions and stress, and build connections with your peers.
• Fostering Hope--This group is for students who have been in or are currently in foster care. We will be working through skills on how to make great choices in a family setting, creating future life goals,  and focusing on the unique challenges of being in the foster system.
• Relax--A group for students that need time to relax and regroup if they are feeling stressed and would like a moment to practice mindfulness techniques to help them focus, calm, and collect their thoughts.
• Coping Skills--We will talk about regulating feelings and emotions, what happens when you have big feelings (including anger), how emotions show up in our bodies, and ways to cope and stay calm.
• True Colors--This group is for students who identify as LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender, Questioning/Queer, Intersex, Asexual, +). This group will provide a safe and nonjudgmental environment where students can fully express their individuality and share experiences.
• S.O.S--A lifeline group for students who are being impacted or have been impacted by others addictions. This group will review tools and plans for safety and awareness. It will also talk about our own choices and how they impact our life.
• Safety & Strength--For students who may have witnessed violence. We will talk about power and control, ways to stay physically and emotionally safe, coping skills, and healthy relationships.
• While They're Away--This group is designed to support students who have a family member in jail or prison. Students will explore how life has changed since their family member left home and will learn strategies to help cope with these changes. An additional focus will be to help reduce the sense of confusion and stigma that accompanies family member incarceration.
• Changing Families--Changing Families is a group designed to support students dealing with changes at home, such as divorce and separation. Group members will learn how to effectively communicate their feelings about how their family has changed and will learn about the responsibilities of both kids and adults in similar situations.
• Culture Crew--This group brings students together who are part of a diverse population (for example, students of color, of different ethnicities and cultures, or religions). The goal is for students to know who they are and where they came from, leave inspired and empowered, and be their best selves.
• Sibling Support-- A group designed to help siblings of children with special needs come together and support one another. This group will allow participants to ask each other questions, obtain information, and discuss issues unique to having a brother or sister with special needs.

Groups are open to all students who attend Chippewa Falls Middle School.  Students can self-refer into a group, or be referred by parents, teachers, or counselors.  If a parent would like their child to participate in a group or does NOT want their child to participate, please contact Janet Marty, Student Connections Coordinator at 715-726-2400 Ext 5214 or email at martyjt@chipfalls.org.