Foothills Academy E-News
News from Estelle Siebens Community Services 
February 2016 

Psychology Month
FeatureArticleSurvivingFebruary is Psychology Awareness Month
Learn more about Psychological Services at Foothills Academy Society

Psychology Month is celebrated every February to teach Canadians how psychology works to help them live healthy and happy lives, help their communities flourish, help their employers create effective workplaces, and help their governments develop good policies.There are lots of resources available on their website including fact sheets on Learning Disabilities, ADHD and many other conditions that you would talk to a psychologist about.

Did you know that the Community Services area at Foothills Academy is a training centre for psychologists? We train approximately 10 to 12 individuals completing work in assessments and counselling to assist them in meeting the requirements of their Master's programs or their provisional hours to become fully Registered Psychologists. We provide a very sought after placement for students/provisionals looking to increase their knowledge of Learning Disabilities, ADHD and associated disorders

You can see some of our staff in action at our Parent Workshop when they present on the topic of Preparing Your Child for a Social World. Our Let's Be Social!, Survive and Thrive!, and Girls Only! programs are run by our psychology staff. If you'd like to learn more about the skills that build the foundation of our social skills programs and ways that you can reinforce these concepts at home, join us on Tuesday, Feb. 2nd at 6:30 pm.

CampCamp Amicus
Register Now 
Camp Amicus 2015 Registration for Camp Amicus 2016 has begun. Dates for overnight camp and day camp are now on our website.

Are you wondering what Camp Amicus is all about? Check out this video of camp that was made last summer by one of Foothills Academy's grade 12 students, Nick Hughes. It gives you a flavour of what camp is like.

ParentWorkshop
Parent Workshop - Tues., Feb. 2nd  

Foothills' Psychology staff will lead a discussion of the social challenges children with Learning Disabilities and associated disorders experience. The causes along with what parents and teachers can do to help children develop their social skills will be outlined. Hands-on activities will be presented based on the Social Skills program offered through Foothills Academy Society. To register for this workshop, click here.

Presenters: Melanie Reader, Shungu Mushayandebvu and Sarah Cadogan


Coming Up Next: Tuesday, March 8th - Understand Me: Living with ADHD


Les Redick knows what it's like to have ADHD. He grew up with ADHD; has raised a child with ADHD; and he has taught students with ADHD for over 20 years. Through Les' personal stories, parents will gain a clearer understanding of what it is like to be a child, as well as an adult, with ADHD. They will also gain insight into what ADHD is and how it reveals itself at home. Les shares examples of how children with ADHD struggle with Executive Functioning and share strategies to provide support at home. Be prepared to be teary one minute and laughing the next! To register for this workshop, click here.

SocialLet's Be Social Program
Registrations being accepted now for Spring 2016   

Do you have a child with a Learning Disability or ADHD who is struggling to make or keep friends? Our social skills group for 8 - 12 year olds may be able to help develop skills like: 
  • Communication skills
  • Reading Feelings
  • Friendship skills 
  • Problem solving skills
  • Dealing with Strong Emotions
  • Dealing with Teasing & Bullying
  • Positive Self-Talk
Read more about the Let's Be Social! Program.  
 
Dates:Saturdays, April 9 - June 11, 2016 (except May 21) 
Time: 10 am - 12:00 pm
Ages: 8 - 12 
Cost: $600 (may qualify as psychological services for some health care benefit packages. We are now able to direct bill for those with FSCD funding. Financial assistance available)
_______________________________________________ 
There is an intake process to ensure a good fit between participants' needs and the program. Financial assistance is available. For more information or to begin the registration process, call 403-270-9400 ext. 252 or email [email protected].
SurviveSurvive and Thrive in Junior High 
(formerly Transition to Junior High)    

Survive Junior High
Junior high school or middle school can be especially hard for students with Learning Disabilities/ADHD. In this nine-week program, a Foothills Academy provisional psychologist will facilitate a group for kids with LD/ADHD who are preparing to move up to junior high/middle school or are already there. A variety of topics related to challenges with executive functioning and social skill expectations at the junior high level are covered including:
  • study skills
  • time management
  • organization
  • peer relationships and bullying
  • goal setting
  • dealing with adolescence and self-esteem issues.
Read more about the Survive & Thrive in Junior High .  
 
Dates:Saturdays, April 9 - June 11, 2016 (except May 21)
Time: 1 pm - 3 pm
Ages: 10 - 14 
Cost: $600 (may qualify as psychological services for some health care benefit packages. Financial assistance available - please inquire.)
_______________________________________________ 
There is an intake process to ensure a good fit between participants' needs and the program. Financial assistance is available. For more information or to begin the registration process, call 403-270-9400 ext. 252 or email [email protected].
GirlsOnlyGirls Only! 
Empowering & Connecting Girls with LD/ADHD (formerly GLOW)    

Does your daughter with LD and/or ADHD benefit from a safe place to share her challenges and concerns?  Is she looking to meet other girls who are also struggling with similar experiences? Girls Only! (formerly GLOW) is offering a powerful 8 week program designed for girls between the ages of 9-12 & 13-16 with LD/ADHD. This program aims to engage girls in topics and issues pertaining to their social, emotional, behavioral, and biological development.  A particular focus of the program is to educate and enrich participants' understanding of their diagnosis(es), while also helping them to gain greater awareness of their strengths. Read more about the Girls Only! program.  
 
Dates:
Saturdays - April 9 to June 4 (except May 21)  
Time: 1 pm - 3 pm
Ages: 10 - 14 
Cost: $475 (may qualify as psychological services for some health care benefit packages. We are now able to direct bill for those with FSCD funding. Financial assistance available)
_______________________________________________ 
There is an intake process to ensure a good fit between participants' needs and the program. Financial assistance is available. For more information or to begin the registration process, call 403-270-9400 ext. 252 or email [email protected].
Read/Write & Math - Check out Spring Break and Summer dates 





OpenHouseFoothills Academy Open House
Thursday, Feb. 18th 10:00 - 11 am

Do you have a child entering grades 3 or 4 next year and you'd like to learn more about Foothills Academy? Come and see us at our Open House on Thursday, Feb. 19th.  Staff from both our school program and Community Services are available starting at 9:30 to answer questions. At 10 am, there is a short presentation and then tours of the school.
ResourcesAndLinks
RESOURCES AND LINKS
Workshops & Educational Opportunities
Community Education Service (Alberta Health Services)  has upcoming free workshops on topics of interest related to LD, ADHD and related disorders. 

Shire Canada ADHD Scholarship Program
Attention Grade 12's Going to Post-Secondary

The Shire Canada ADHD Scholarship Program supports people with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) who are pursuing higher education. The 2016 Program will award five scholarships, each providing $1,500 CA and one year of ADHD coaching from the Edge Foundation to assist in meeting the challenges of post-secondary education. Recipients will be selected based on two written essays-a personal essay (500 words) and an ADHD coaching essay (100 words). For complete rules and eligibility requirements, click here.
Support Groups
CHADD CalgaryFree Parent & Adult Support Meetings - First Wednesday of the month at (Alberta Children's Hospital, 4th Flr, 7-9 pm)

Strengths in ADHD
StrengthsInterested in Helping with ADHD Research?
Strengths in ADHD 

Researchers at the University of Calgary are looking for assistance with a research project that will help to better understand the children with ADHD. Specifically, we are looking for children with ADHD (ages 8-17 years) and their parents to participate in our study to help us understand factors that impact the well-being of these children. In appreciation of your time, families will receive a $25 gift card and children will select an age-appropriate prize. Participation in this study is completely voluntary and confidential and you may withdraw from participation at any time.  This study has been approved by the Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board at the University of Calgary.
 
If you are interested in participating in this study or would like more information please check out our website at www.ucalgary.ca/adhdkids or contact us at (403) 210-6726 or via email at [email protected].

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Contact
Foothills Academy Society
745 37 Street NW, Calgary, AB  T2N 4T1
403.270.9400
[email protected]
www.foothillsacademy.org 
555.555.5555