Rainbows Grief and Loss Support Groups for Children

What is Rainbows?

Rainbows is a program that provides support groups, led by trained staff members at Sara Harp Minter Elementary, for children who have suffered a loss due to death, divorce or any other painful transition in their family. These losses have a profound impact on children who struggle to understand the conflicting emotions they are experiencing. The Rainbows curriculum helps children deal with their feelings such as grief and anger. The program gives children a brighter, clearer view of life after the storm of change in their family.

Where does Rainbows come from?

Rainbows first started in the Chicago public schools in 1983. Today there are over one quarter million participants in 45 states and in 13 foreign countries.

Who are Rainbows students?

The Rainbows groups will consist of up to five student participants and a trained facilitator. The groups will meet either during the school day or directly after school for six weeks in the Fall and six weeks in the Winter. The groups will be established after registration. If your child has suffered a loss due to death, divorce or abandonment and you would like for him/her to participate in a Rainbows group, please complete the registration form below and return it to your child's teacher by Friday, August 27, 2004.

**If you have further questions, please contact Angela Thomason, School Counselor, at Sara Harp Minter Elementary (770-716-3910).

Rainbows Registration Form

Child's Name ______________________ Teacher's Name___________________ Parent/Guardian's Name_________________________________

Type of loss    divorce_____ abandonment _____ separation_____ death:_____   relationship to your child _______________________________

How old was your child when the above occurred?__________________________

Does your child have any siblings at Sara Harp Minter Elementary School? ______ If so, what is the siblings' name/s and classroom teacher's name? __________________________________________

Is your child in the After School Program? ____yes   ___no What days?____________

My child is unable to meet after school _____________

Parent/Guardian Signature ___________________________________

Phone number -- Home__________________________ Work___________________________

                           Cellular________________________      Beeper­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­_________________________