Recent incidents of school violence demonstrate that bullying can have tragic consequences for individuals, families, schools and entire communities. Bullying is painful, lasting and related to low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, anger, and other mental and physical health problems. Because of the increased risk of suicide associated with bullying--for victims and perpetrators alike--open dialogue and support are crucial in ensuring safety for our children and teenagers. Click here to learn more.

Having grit is the quality or personal attribute that can help someone get through life’s tough or unexpected situations. Grit helps us to adapt with the changes life brings, to learn, and grow from them, rather than to stay stagnant or fall backwards. Some other words commonly associated with grit are tenacity, resiliency, and adaptability. The good news is that we are all capable of having grit and grit can be developed!

Palm Springs Unified School District’s motto is “Life Long Learning Starts Here.” We believe that every person can and should pursue their passions in order to develop their strengths and talents. Identifying our talents (natural skill) and developing our strengths (ability to consistently perform on a specific activity) to mastery involves hard work and dedication. Focusing on our strengths and the strengths of others results in genuine enjoyment as we commit to producing our best work.

How you feel can affect your ability to carry out everyday activities, your relationships, and your overall mental health. How you react to your experiences and feelings can change over time. Emotional wellness is the ability to successfully handle life’s stresses and adapt to change and difficult times. Flip each card below for checklists on how to improve your health in each area. Click on the images to read articles about each topic. You can also print the checklists separately or all together to share with others or as a reminder to yourself. Click here to learn more.

How to Help Teens Set Goals

In the last newsletter, we focused on grit which is a quality that aids in getting through life’s many challenges and a skill that can be developed over time. People with grit tend to have a growth mindset- a way of thinking that is positive, encourages self-awareness, and is goal oriented. Growth mindset is a frequently used term within the school community because of its importance in developing the mind. We want to encourage parents and families to use a growth mindset on a daily basis, in everything that we do.

Every child deserves a safe, stable and nurturing community which includes home and school environments. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month - a time when communities focus on becoming more aware of the types and signs of child abuse and how to prevent it. Sadly, children can become vulnerable to abuse and exploitation while online without ever meeting their abusers. This is why addressing internet safety is very important to prevent child abuse and is critical during this time when schools are closed and using remote learning systems. 

The Mental Health program of PSUSD seeks to provide competent and compassionate mental health services to children and their families significantly affected by mental health challenges. Clinicians are sent throughout the District visiting with students and families in an effort to help these students rebound from mental health issues that would otherwise affect their ability to function optimally at school, home, and in the community. Visit their site by clicking here. 

The RCOE Wellness Center is a place for students, staff, and families, to find resources and tools in order to practice strategies for coping during challenging times. Click here for more. 

In this time of COVID 19, we are challenged with our usual ability to connect with others and continue in the rituals of building and sustaining strong relationships with others. We can no longer engage in the normal rituals that we took for granted just two months ago, including hugs, kisses, pats on the back, and high fives. We are having to learn new ways to connect with people in our lives. At times, this brings a host of other issues including feelings of isolation, grief and loss for an old sense of normalcy, and possibly a host of other mental health symptoms. But as humans we are resilient, and have found other ways to connect and continue to maintain our relationships with others, such as zoom, skype, and old fashioned letters or cards. This week, we plan to intentionally work on relationships and communication with people you love including your parents, children, teachers and other loved ones.

Entertaining and instructional. Rocket shares important life-saving tips for the whole family. Click here to learn more. 

Everyone experiences big emotions such as: anger, worry and sadness. These emotions can be confusing and sometimes overwhelming. To better manage these emotions so that they do not lead to a poor self-concept, disruption in relationships, or a breakdown in our health and well-being; it is essential that we become aware of our emotions, monitor their impact on our thoughts & behaviors, and learn appropriate ways to positively express and handle these emotions. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 5 Americans will suffer from a debilitating mental illness in a given year (www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth). 

"Have you ever felt that taking care of yourself comes last? Many parents feel guilty when making time to take care of themselves because they think they should prioritize their family, job, and everything else before taking time for themselves. By the time everyone is fed, teeth are brushed, homework is done, bills are paid, and dishes are done, you may feel that you don’t have much energy left for taking care of yourself. You are not alone in feeling this way. This guide can help you find ways to take care of yourself and be less stressed."

The purpose of this Parent’s Guide is to help you increase resilience in yourself as well as in your children. The definition of resilience and the skills and attributes for developing it will become clear in future chapters. We know you’re busy. Raising a family is no easy task. So we’ve organized the chapters to make them easier to read – even skim if you need to. Click here to learn more.

Dealing with the stress of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is tough. People are getting sick and we are told to stay home. Our everyday lives have changed so much. So what do we know now? Click here to learn more.