You see, the thing about Mama Bears is that deep down, we long to control our universe so that we can protect the people we love... Read full article
Social & Emotional Counseling
The Counseling office at Fellowship Christian School works in concert with FCS faculty, administration, and parent community to ensure that each student feels supported, understood, and adjusted during his/her experience at FCS. In addition to offering a safe and confidential setting for students during periods of difficulty and transition, the office seeks to provide information and resources that will assist students and their families beyond the school day. Individual and/or group support, life skills and parent education are coordinated through this office.
Our counseling team is comprised of staff and faculty with a commitment and passion for helping to shape the lives of students. Our counselors bring knowledge and experience in different areas and provide our students with options in finding the right person with whom to connect. Our doors are always open to parents and students alike. As we move through the academic year, it is our hope that you will feel free to contact us with any concerns you have about your children. It is our sincere wish to get to know every student on campus and make certain each student finds his/her place at FCS.
The Counseling Department has two primary goals:

To Provide Support and Counseling to Students
We serve individual students as they seek some resolution to personal difficulties they might face during the school year. Though they often choose to explore their concern with teachers, coaches or staff they may prefer talking with a professional counselor.

To Serve as a Resource for Parents, Faculty & Staff
We love to inform and educate our FCS community about normal developmental behaviors as well as hot topic issues that the students may be experiencing.
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We work to reach these goals in four ways:
Counseling Sessions
Students may contact our counselors for an appointment or can simply stop by the Counseling Office. Confidentiality is maintained except in cases where the health and safety of the student, or another person, are in jeopardy. In cases where long-term weekly support for a student may be necessary, referrals are provided to off-campus counselors or psychologists.
Classroom Guidance Lessons
In-class guidance lessons introduce our young students to navigating common situations and the emotions that come with them. Topics such as anger management, kindness, manners & stress management are included in our curriculum.
Middle and high school Guidance Lessons include more mature topics such as digital citizenship, dangers of pornography, alcohol and drug issues as well as current and relevant social/cultural subjects.
Facilitating Guest Experts on Relevant topics
Large and Small Group Seminars
Meet Our Counseling Staff
Education:
The University of Alabama, BS Human Environmental Science
Vanderbilt University, M.Ed. Counseling
Phone:
770.641.6831
Gabrielle Fraunfelder
Undergraduate Degree:
BA Psychology Baylor University
Graduate Degree:
Masters of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy Fuller Seminary
At FCS since:
2011
Church Home
Stonecreek
Favorite Bible Verse
Peace, I leave with you. My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
What do you enjoy most about working in Education?
I love the newness of each day and what students will bring to the table. Everyday looks different.
Resources:
*Any links to external websites and/or non-Fellowship Christian School information provided on FCS pages or returned from FCS web search engines are provided as a courtesy. They should not be construed as an endorsement by Fellowship Christian School of the content or views of the linked materials.
- www.gotquestions.org is a great resource for any parent or student who has a Biblical based question, as it points straight to scripture.

We partner with Youscience, an aptitude and interest test, to help each student in their self-discovery. Knowing what they love and how they are gifted will empower them to find and fulfill the call of God on thier life. Learn more...


Mark your calendars!
North Point ministries is offering a 60 minute digital event on “A Grown-Up’s Guide to Kid’s Wiring” on October 7th at 8 pm!
This is a perfect way to explore your child’s temperament!
Parents- It’s not too late to sign up to join the free summit: Equipping Parents to tackle pornography in their homes.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please tell someone. Here’s a place to start:
5 Action Steps for Helping Someone in Emotional Pain
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please tell someone. Here’s a place to start...
KNOW the signs so you can SAVE a life! These are the major warning signs of suicide. If you notice someone displaying these warnings, don’t be afraid to ask “the question” and reach out for help!
September is National Suicide Prevention Day when mental health professionals, advocates, prevention organizations, suicide survivors, and allied community members come together to draw attention to the problem of this public health tragedy.
FCS Parents: As we settle into the rhythm of school that 2020 will allow, there may be added feelings of anxiousness or fear that pile on. Hopefully these ideas of how to respond to your child will spark other thoughts that will work in your home.
High School and Middle School parents, be aware of the new Snap Chat App called Hoop.
September is National Suicide Prevention Day when mental health professionals, advocates, prevention organizations, suicide survivors, and allied community members come together to draw attention to the problem of this public health tragedy.
There is a silent tragedy developing right now, in our homes, and it concerns our most precious jewels — our children. Through my work with hundreds of children and families as an occupational therapist, I have witnessed this tragedy unfolding right in front of my eyes. Our children are in a devastating emotional state!
Two weeks after a controversial school flyer about bullying angered parents at a Calhoun County school, counselors in another West Michigan district weighed in on the debate.
Turns out, a lot of schools are trying to help students differentiate between bullying and plain old rude or mean behavior.
“If everything’s bullying, I just fear (students) won’t learn how to help themselves, how to manage conflict,” explained Lori Koza, a mental health coordinator at Grandville Public Schools.
Koza collaborated with another school counselor at Grandville on a message published in the district’s October newsletter.
The front-page column is titled, “Managing Conflict” and subtitled “Bullying vs. Being Mean: What’s the Difference?”
A new study by the American Physiological Society significantly debunks the myth that e-cigarettes are safer than regular cigarettes.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among school age youth. However, suicide is preventable. Youth who are contemplating suicide frequently give warning signs of their distress. Parents, teachers, and friends are in a key position to pick up on these signs and get help. Most important is to never take these warning signs lightly or promise to keep them secret. When all adults and students in the school community are committed to making suicide prevention a priority-and are empowered to take the correct actions-we can help youth before they engage in behavior with irreversible consequences.
"One thing I’ve come to accept as my girls grow older is how my husband and I can’t meet all their needs. They need additional adults in their lives who believe in them and build them up.
Once kids start to realize how mom and dad have to say nice things, they long for external validation. They want someone with credibility – and impartial opinions – to notice them and see their potential...
“You’ve got to give your friends room to have a bad day. We all get moody and grumpy sometimes, and you have to create space for your friends to be themselves.”
If you're over 40, chances are good that you had scads of free time as a child—after school, on weekends, over the summer. And chances are also good that, if you were asked about it now, you'd go on and on about playing in the woods and riding your bike until the streetlights came on.