The ESMH Specialist at Ritchie Elementary School in Wheeling has developed a Lunch Buddies program at the school. Lunch Buddies is a time set aside during lunch to work on developing social and emotional skills. One of the most recent activities focused on self-love, uniqueness, and change. The specialist, Amber Vincent, used this poem:
Every “pizza” me is unique.
As I grow
my toppings change
and rearrange,
but as I am today
is where my toppings lay.
Every student created their own “personal pizza”. Each topping represented an “I am” statement. After the students read the poem and understood the meaning, they discussed personal affirmations.
A kindergartener stated he was brave and strong because he did something he was afraid of. He was given sausage toppings, which represented the affirmation “I am strong”. Cheese was the most used topping for it goes with “I am loved”. Each student indicated that someone at home tells them they are loved everyday.
Staff and students enjoyed building their own pizza. One student even said he had been craving pizza.
This is an example of how Crittenton makes groups meaningful and fun for the students.
Parents have recently begun to participate in some of the lunch buddies groups. This allows them to take part in what the children are learning and identify how to use those lessons at home. The specialist spends time with them if they want tips or ideas as well.
Ritchie Elementary has truly embraced implementation of the expanded school mental health model this year. Crittenton is extremely thankful for the collaboration with Principal Jordan, Counselors Irvin and Kurtz, and CIS Brooke Barton.