Sirius is the brightest star in our night sky. The star has prominence in Canis Major, one of the hunting dogs at Orion’s feet. It was important to many ancient cultures for navigation as well as to mark changing seasons and new beginnings. We chose it for both of these reasons, the link to Orion and the change it symbolizes.
Sirius Fun
The vision has always been there to create a program designed to teach social emotional learning skills to students in and around a school setting. In 2016 we began to work with the Granite Hill School, specifically in the Middle School program. The focus was on identifying emotions and the impact they have on relationships and group dynamics using the five elements laid out by the Coalition for Academic Social and Emotional Learning. Orion House benefitted through co-served clients as well as programming designed for the residential setting.
In 2022, with the support of a grant, we offered a “summer camp” program free of charge to vulnerable students in Sullivan County; again with the focus of social emotional learning (SEL) and developing positive self-concept. With the funding we were able to install four high ropes challenge elements, purchase recreation equipment and provide meals for the kids in attendance.
As the summer ended we kept the momentum going by increasing SEL education in the school with an advisory program in the high school and further development of wellness in both school programs. A more formalized program was put in place for the Orion House, staff training for both programs continues to grow, and we are looking to open the program to groups from outside schools and the community.
Sirius Fun 