Social/Emotional Services

Second Step SEL Curriculum

Edison Middle School student services staff help teachers implement Second Step guidance lessons in core classes. The Second Step curriculum is sponsored by the Committee for Children (2017) and includes the following information: "Transitioning to middle school can be tough. The research-based Second Step program helps schools teach and model essential communication, coping, and decision-making skills that help adolescents navigate around common pitfalls such as peer pressure, substance abuse, and bullying (both in-person and online). The outcome? Reduced aggression and support for a more inclusive environment that helps students stay in school, make good choices, and experience social and academic success." 
CBITS
"The Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) program is a school-based, group and individual intervention.  It is designed to reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and behavioral problems, and to improve functioning, grades and attendance, peer and parent support, and coping skills.

CBITS has been used with students from 5th grade through 12th grade who have witnessed or experienced traumatic life events such as community and school violence, accidents and injuries, physical abuse and domestic violence, and natural and man-made disasters.

CBITS uses cognitive-behavioral techniques (e.g., psychoeducation, relaxation, social problem solving, cognitive restructuring, and exposure)." (CBITS, 2017)

Please contact Ms. Washington or Mrs. Mullen if you are interested in learning more about CBITS.
Girls' Group
This group is a small group experience for girls in 6th - 8th grade. The curriculum is adapted from the researched-based Girls in Real Life Situations curriculum and other discussion-based social/emotional curriculum.  

Girls Group gives young women a place to discuss and cope with issues girls often face in middle school. Topics include discovering self-identity/self-esteem, dealing with conflict, forming friendships, making choices, becoming academically and socially resilient, communicating with peers and adults, and working through tough emotions.

This group meets during lunch or Flex depending on scheduling and student needs. The group meets one day a week for 8 weeks each semester.

Please contact any counselor if you are interested in this group.
Boys' Group
Boys’ Group is a small group experience for young men in 6th grade - 8th grade. The purpose of Boys’ Group is to help young men discuss and cope with issues often faced in middle school. Lessons are adapted from the Building Champions and other research-based small group curriculums. Topics include discovering self-identity, dealing with conflicts, making positive choices, ignoring distractions, becoming academically and socially resilient when facing a setback, communicating effectively with peers and adults, and working through tough emotions.

This group meets during lunch or Flex, depending on scheduling and student needs. The group meets one day a week for 8 weeks each semester.

Please contact any counselor if you are interested in this group.
Staff - Student Mediation
Staff-student mediation helps both staff and students understand each others' perspectives. Both staff member and student are given equal time to share their perspectives and emotions after a conflict. This process allows students and staff to create plans together to avoid negative behaviors and to improve student's academic success in class. Mediation conversations are led by an unbiased Student Services staff member, so that both parties are allowed an equal voice in the conversation. Both parties must be willing to mediate before a conversation is scheduled. 

Contact Mrs. Mullen if you want to participate in a mediation with a staff member.

Peer Mediations

Similar to Staff-Student mediations, peer mediations allow students understand each others' perspectives. Mediations give two students equal time to share their emotions and perspectives after a conflict. Then students work together to plan what each party can agree to do in order to move forward and avoid future conflict. Mediation conversations are led by an unbiased Student Services staff member, so that both parties are allowed an equal voice in the conversation. Both parties must be willing to mediate before a conversation is scheduled. 

​Contact your counselor if you want to participate in a mediation with a peer.
Individual Counseling
Counselors, social workers, and the psychologist, are available for individual brief counseling. When a student presents a problem, they can request to see someone in students services. These meetings most often utilize solution focused brief counseling (SFBC) techniques that require 1 - 4 sessions depending on the nature of the student's presenting problem. Students (or teachers and parents on their behalf) can request an individual meeting with a Student Services staff member by using this form. If a student needs more in depth and long term counseling, the Response to Intervention (RTI) Tier III team may hold a problem solving meeting to assess needs, set up more detailed interventions, and offer outside referrals to community agencies.
Crisis Intervention
All counselors, social workers, and the school psychologist have been trained in crisis intervention. Once staff have been alerted that a student is in crisis, Student Services staff work as a team with parents and guardians to assess the threat level and needs of a student. The team creates a plan to ensure the student's safety and refers to outside mental health agencies if necessary. 

In the event of a school wide or community crisis, the Champaign Unit 4 Crisis Team helps connect staff and families with district and community resources. The crisis team ensures everyone impacted has access to the appropriate resources. 
24/7 State of Illinois CARES Crisis Line (For anyone under 21 with Medicaid) 
​800.345.9049
​24/7 Rosecrance Champaign Crisis Line (For any age and most types of insurance) 
​217.359.4141
24/7 Pavilion Behavioral Health (For any age and most types of insurance)
800.373.1700