LCMS offers various SEL = Social Emotional Learning groups throughout the school year as a means of student prevention and intervention to social, emotional and behavioral issues.  This is a Multi-Tiered Support System – MTSS tier Level 1 support intervention.  Group Counseling allows for students to learn from their peers through group discussion and interpersonal interaction that allows for a safer place to share and disclose life experiences, Trauma, Stress and At-Risk Behaviors.  The Groups are Facilitated by the SEL Counselor, LCMS Counseling Department, School Probation Officer, Pacific Clinics, Desert Mountain Children’s Center and Partners Against Violence.  Grade Level Counselors Co-Facilitate and support as they can with various groups.   Groups are no more that 6-8 students max usually and are ran in room 19 or an available classroom (this year was room 13).  Groups are held one hour (1 period) per week and no longer than 8-week sessions.  There are 3 Calendar Times that Groups are available throughout the school year due to state assessment and testing in the months of April and May.  The time groups are available for support are: September – October, November – January and February – March.  Parent consent forms and/or phone/email permission is required for a student to participate in group counseling.  The Hope is for Students to explore PBIS – Positive Behavior Intervention Support as opposed to Negative and discover a Safe place to learn Coping Strategies and Problem-Solving Skills.  There are journals, activities, art, interactive games and play therapy used to help the students feel safe and interact on a personal level.  Here are the groups offered with a brief description of what the group supports:

Journey of Hope – Curriculum provided by Save the Children Foundation is facilitated by SEL Counselor and Co facilitated another counselor and/or LCMS Teaching Staff that covers Safety, Fear, Grief, Anger, Bullying, Stress, Self Esteem and Relationships.  8 Sessions.  M/W or F – Period 8

Guys Group – Curriculum provided by San Bernardino County Probation Boys Council – Journey into Respect is facilitated by SEL Counselor Mr. Hovey, Counselor Mr. Goddard and Officer Joel Camp, LCMS Probation officer.  6 Sessions. Fridays – Periods 2 and/or 3.

Girls Group – Curriculum provided by San Bernardino County Probation and is facilitated by Counselor Mrs. Maclean.  6 Sessions.   Thursdays – Period 4

Addictions – Both Pacific Clinics and DMCC Facilitate this group based on past and current addictions primarily from drugs and alcohol.  6 Sessions. T and/or Th Period 2 and/or 3.

Anger Group - Both Pacific Clinics and DMCC Facilitate this group based on learning anger management and results of poor decision making in the past with a short fuse.  Develop Conflict Resolution and Mediation Skills.   6 Sessions. T and/or Th Period 2 and/or 3.

Anxiety Group - Both Pacific Clinics and DMCC Facilitate this group based on poor self-esteem and social anxiety.  Learning to function independently and confidently and Develop Social Skills.  6 Sessions. T and/or Th Period 2 and/or 3.

Assertiveness – Both Pacific Clinics and DMCC Facilitate this group based on poor self-esteem and social anxiety.  6 Sessions. T and/or Th Period 2 and/or 3.

Codependency/Boundaries – learning how to be self sufficient and independent and not rely upon social media and internet resources.   

Cognitive Life Skills – Both Pacific Clinics and DMCC Facilitate this group based on developing the ability to Plan, Manage Time, Solve Problems and Develop Coping Strategies to refer to.   6 Sessions. T and/or Th Period 2 and/or 3.

LGBTQ+ - Pacific Clinics runs an ongoing support group, please contact (760) 228-9657 or Beckie Hollingshed at (626) 701-7859 for more information. 

Grief Group – Both Pacific Clinics and DMCC Facilitate this group based on loss of family/friends.  6 Sessions.  T and/or Th Period 2 and/or 3.

Mindfulness Group - Both Pacific Clinics and DMCC Facilitate this group based on not really aware of how to cope with individual and social challenges. 6 Sessions. T and/or Th Period 2 and/or 3.  

Relationships/Safe Dating – Curriculum provided by Partners Against Violence.  Preventative focus that talks about the Do’s and Don’ts in Dating relationships.  8 Sessions.   Tuesdays – Period 2 and/or 3

Social Skills – learning interpersonal communications, how to be selfless, with peers and how to address others appropriately.

? Please contact Mr. Tom Hovey, SEL Counselor at LCMS if interested in referring a student or getting a student started in one of these Support Groups ASAP via email or phone.   

Email = [email protected]

Phone = (760)228-1802 x 3589   

Individual Counseling is available for free in which clinicians visit the student weekly based on request and parent consent documented referral and intake through DMCC and Pacific Clinics.  Partners Against Violence provides individual counseling as well and especially for abuse, neglect and/or date rape.

Suite 360 is the MUSD, MTSS Tier 1 SEL lesson database available through the student portal app Portal -

CLEVER to support students in their social and emotional learning and development.  There are 38 Preventative Themed Lessons are assigned throughout the school year scope and sequence to help students make better choices that are assigned by grade level and according to CASEL’s Model of SEL Competency with: Self Awareness – Social Awareness – Responsible Decision Making – Self Management and – Relationship Skills.  A Pre and Post Assessment is assigned as well to measure what students have gained from this experience.  Specific Lessons may be assigned from over 1500 lessons available from time to time from the School Administration and/or Counseling to support students that may need further intervention support with various topical and thematic lesson plans.  This is provided to help students function more independently and make better and more informed choices.   

Conflict Mediation is also available as an MTSS Tier 2 intervention through the SEL Counselor and Counseling Department to help students come to a written agreement through counseling support. Mediations are kept on file in the SEL Counselors office and copies are sent to administration for the purpose of further intervention if the conflict continues.   

Risk Assessment – if there is ever a concern of a student at-risk of harming themselves through negative thinking and hopelessness, a student may be referred to a Counselor to evaluate the risk for further counseling support.   Parent and/or guardian involvement will be included for the safety of the student. Resources are always available through the counseling department within the community, including Free

24-Hour Hotlines and text/email sources.