Back to School and Mental Health: Supporting Our Children for a Successful Year Ahead
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is committed to promoting mental health and preventing substance misuse as a critical part of overall health and wellness. As part of this commitment, we want to equip parents, teachers, and students with resources and tools to foster a mentally healthy return to school.
Mental Health Matters
Often unseen and untreated, child and adolescent mental health challenges can significantly impact the ability to learn and develop. One in five children has a diagnosable mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder, yet many of them do not receive the help they need. Research tells us that there is a robust link between students’ mental health and their academic success. Therefore, awareness of mental health and potential for substance misuse should be a core part of every family's back-to-school preparation.
Promoting a Healthy Transition
The return to school can be a stressful time, whether it's a child’s first day of kindergarten, a transition to middle or high school, or just the end of the freedoms of summer. It's normal for children to feel anxious about these changes. Here’s how you can help ease their worries:
Communicate: Encourage your child to express their feelings about going back to school. Acknowledge their fears, make them feel understood, and reassure them that it's perfectly normal to feel anxious about these changes.
Continuing Support at School: The Role of Educators
Schools are crucial partners in supporting student mental health. Here are some ways educators can help:
Spot the signs: Regular training sessions for teachers on how to recognize the signs of mental health concerns in students are vital. Knowledge of how to respond in such situations can ensure that children in need receive the help they deserve.
Create safe spaces: Every child deserves a nurturing school environment where they feel safe to explore and express their feelings. Schools can promote this by establishing safe, caring spaces where students feel comfortable reaching out about their mental health without fear of judgement.
Integrate mental health into the curriculum: Incorporating mental health education into the curriculum is a powerful strategy to reduce the prejudice and discrimination associated with mental health and substance use conditions. This promotes understanding and empathy, fostering a supportive environment for all students.
Resources: Partners in Promoting Mental Health and Preventing Substance Use
The Department of Health and Human Services offers a wealth of resources for parents, teachers, and students alike:
Parenting and Caregiver and Youth Mental Health Resources — a collection of resources on parenting and addressing mental health needs of young people.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Concerns: Signs and Symptoms — a comprehensive guide for symptoms of mental health and substance use disorders in children and youth.
Back to School Resources for Success — a collection of resources for children, parents, and educators on ensuring a safe return to school by caring for both body and mind.
"Talk. They Hear You."® Campaign — a national youth substance use prevention campaign that helps parents and caregivers, educators, and community members.
Early Childhood Mental Health Programs — as a part of its mission to reduce the impact of substance use and mental illness on our communities, SAMHSA funds programs that promote and support the health and wellness of young children and their families.
StopBullying.Gov — parents, school staff, and other adults in the community can help kids prevent bullying by talking about it, building a safe school environment, and creating a community-wide bullying prevention strategy.
SchoolSafety.Gov — provides schools and districts with actionable recommendations to create a safe and supportive learning environment where students can thrive and grow.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline — 1-800-662-HELP (4357) is a confidential, free, 24/7, 365-day-a-year information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
FindSupport.gov — a user-friendly website, designed for the general public, to help people identify available resources, explore unbiased information about various treatment options, and learn how to reach out to get the support they need for issues related to mental health, drugs, or alcohol.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — If you or someone you know needs support now, you can contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Simply call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
New York State Health Department publication:
Parents: Fight Flu at Home and School.
https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/seasonal/child_care_and_schools/
If you have any questions please contact the NYSDOH Bureau of Immunization at immunize@health.ny.gov.
Two events going on Today !! So let's Swarm and get loud for The Yellowjackets home and away! We have x-country running on our home course against Tri-valley! As the lady Yellowjackets head to Port Jervis in Varsity Soccer ! Let's go Yellowjackets
Dear Eldred CSD Families and Community
I wanted to let you know that a search warrant was executed this morning and the suspect was taken into custody. Our #1 priority is our students and staff's safety. Schools will be operating on a normal schedule today. We will still have an increased presence of law enforcement personnel today. Thank you for your support and patience during this time.
Sincerely,
Traci Ferreira, Superintendent of Schools
Dear Eldred CSD Families & Community Members
I have received confirmation from the Sullivan County's Sheriff's Department that the posted threats on social media are unfounded and our schools, students and staff are safe.
First, I want to commend those students, both past and present, that reached out to me, Mr. Conklin, Mr. Carpentieri, and/or Anthony. These individuals shared with us important information that helped with this investigation. I also want to commend Deputy Grady for his constant communication during this entire process.
Regarding arrival tomorrow:
There will still be an increased security presence at both schools for the opening of school. Schools will be checked by law enforcement prior to students coming in. Both building principals, Mr. Conklin and Mr. Carpentieri will be meeting with their staff prior to the school day. Mr. Conklin will be meeting with the JSHS students to start off their day prior to reporting to their first period class. Counselors and school psychologists will be available throughout the day for students and staff members. I hope everyone has a great rest of the day and a wonderful start to the school year.
Sincerely,
Traci Ferreira, Superintendent of Schools
It is that Time of Year !!! Yellowjackets need the Hive to swarm to Tri-Valley as they take to the field for their first scrimmage of the 2023-2024 Season !
Let's GO Yellowjackets !
It is that Time of Year !!! Yellowjackets need the Hive to swarm to Tri-Valley as they take to the field for their first scrimmage of the 2023-2024 Season !
Let's GO Yellowjackets !
ATTENTION VARSITY FOOTBALL PLAYERS!! Todays practice!!
ATTENTION VARSITY FOOTBALL PLAYERS!! Todays practice!!
Practice for Varsity sports start Monday please sign up on Arbiter sports ( family Id ) today! Football practice will start at 4:00 pm Boys soccer will start at 5:00 pm at GRM Girls soccer will start at 9:00am at High school upper field Cross country will be at 7:30am at the high school
Ready to Wear GREEN and YELLOW! Sign up TODAY for FALL Sports!
Use the following link below to sign up on Arbiter Sport ( familyID) to have your athlete ready for the fall season. All Athletes need to be signed up on Arbiter Sports to be able to practice. All Varsity SPORTS will begin practice on August 21 . All Modified Sports will begin September 5th ( first day of school). Practice schedule will be posted by tomorrow for individual sports.
Link for Arbiter Sport.
https://www.familyid.com/eldred-junior-senior-high-school-athletics/eldred-fall-sports-2023
CONGRATULATIONS!
Class of 2023 Graduation
https://youtu.be/CdR7KLaTWEg
Let's Cheer on our little Yellowjackets Girls Serenity Perez is on the All star girls team from Eldred with our friends from Port Jervis ! tonight 6:00 Pinebush ! Let's go Girls !
Let's get loud and cheer on some Little Yellowjackets , major boys Gavin Gass, Jacob Tice and Ryman Martin. Minor boys Troxel and Robbie Donato. These boys that are playing along side our friends from Port little league as an All star teams the Major boys play tonight in Minisink Valley at 5:30 For a Big game !! And The minor Team plays in Pine Bush at 7:30! Let's go Boys !!
More pictures from ECS Graduation 2023
Graduation 2023
Congratulations to Josh Warming and Frankie Whitemore for making the Sullivan County All star team !!!
https://www.scdemocratonline.com/stories/sullivan-county-democrat-baseball-all-stars,100250?fbclid=IwAR3r6q2P23vjst2AKgN9zOQXqcyQ47RJAmtKNIoECT3bt1x0yk7PeZo0cYo_aem_AUz6QijruZXxlVAeE4icATY1PQRRTHaeJ90ojhVN56Kuuweiplq_2pOVdn0Z1a8BVz8&mibextid=Zxz2cZ
Class of 2023 Commencement Update:
Due to the possibility of the unstable forecast tonight, the Class of 2023 Commencement Ceremony will be inside in the JSHS Gymnasium. There is plenty of room in the gym for all to attend. Please note each graduate is given 6 assigned tickets, but more seats are available.
The Ceremony will begin at 6:00PM.
Thank you.
Congratulation to all the SENIORS! Here are some Spring Sports Season Accomplishments.Go Yellowjackets! Together we Swarm !
LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL REMINDER FOR MACKENZIE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!
School is closed on Monday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth. Tuesday, June 20-Thursday, June 22 is 1:00 early dismissal with Thursday, June 22 being our last day of classes. Have a great summer!
