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Kankakee District 111 families: opt-out form due Monday for “social-emotional arts therapy” groups

Kankakee School District 111 sent home a letter dated Sept. 15, 2026, from Rise & Thrive Wellness. The district is partnering with the practice to run social-emotional arts therapy groups during the school year.

The letter says the groups will be led by a licensed art therapist and will focus on emotion identification, self-regulation, and communication skills. It is offered as part of the district’s social-emotional learning and wellness work.

This is an opt-out form, not an opt-in.

If you do not want your child in the groups, you must fill out the slip (child’s name, grade, teacher, school, parent name and signature) and return it no later than Monday, September 21, 2026. If the form is not returned, the district’s letter indicates the student is included.

The letter tells parents they can follow up with the classroom teacher.

Who Rise & Thrive Wellness is

Rise & Thrive Wellness is a local group practice (Bradley and Kankakee locations) that provides art therapy and counseling. Owner Megan Campbell is a board-certified art therapist and licensed clinical professional counselor. The practice has worked with District 111 staff and is listed as a community partner.

On its own website, under “Promoting Inclusion,” the practice states it hires clinicians of “varying backgrounds, beliefs, and specialties” and that the office “promotes a foundation of diversity, equity, and inclusivity in its culture and practice.”

Its services page also describes the practice as “open and affirming” for LGBTQIA+ clients.

In November 2022, Rise & Thrive Wellness publicly posted about hosting an “LGBTQ+ 101” presentation with the Kankakee Area LGBTQ Network. The practice also appears in that network’s Rainbow Directory of affirming businesses.

None of that is hidden. It is on their site and social media.
What parents can do

1. Read the letter that came home.

2. Decide whether you want your child in these groups.

3. If you do not, complete and return the form by Monday, Sept. 21.

4. Ask the teacher or school what the sessions actually look like, who leads them, how often they meet, and whether any curriculum or materials will be shared with families.

5. Look at Rise & Thrive’s own site (riseandthrivewellness.net) and public posts so you are not relying on a summary.

Social-emotional skills matter. So does knowing who is delivering the program and what values they say they bring into the room. The form is sitting in backpacks and folders right now. The deadline is two days away.

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