Week 3/30-4/3

Welcome Back to School Grizzlies--Albeit Virtual!

I have missed you and I hope that you make some much-needed connections with your peers, teachers, administrators, and even me! Check your Google Classrooms and emails and I know that you will all feel the love. You all are my heroes and here is a little pep talk for all of you:

Mental Health Focus: Depression

3 million students experience depression—almost 12.5% of the U.S. population 12 to 17 years old, or about 3 or 4 students in a typical classroom of 30 students. Here are some things that you can do at home and at school:

• Use journaling activities (click here for more information)
• Build on strengths
• Facilitate discussions about mental health and coping
• Encourage collaborative exercises
• Incorporate positive coping strategies, or mindfulness, into class  and home activities

Click here for more information regarding depression. In addition, please watch "Everyday Mindfulness" below: 

App Spotlight: Inner Explorer

Inner Explorer has provided FSUSD with the FREE Mindfulness App for families during this time of uncertainty. Please click here for more information and to get started using Mindfulness at home: https://innerexplorer.org/compass/fairfield_onboarding.

Journal Spotlight: School Psychologist, Heather Toll 
During the school closures, I journaled about my days (it is a great way to reduce stress and ease anxiety--I hope you will join me and not only read about my day, but also start journaling for yourself). Since school starts tomorrow, today was my last entry:

Week 3/23-3/27

Be the Reason Someone Smiles Today
Please sign in to FlipGrid with your FSUSD Gmail and watch the videos and create one of your own to make someone smile!

Mental Health Focus: Depression

Depression is defined as a period of two or more weeks with either “depressed mood” or “loss of interest or pleasure” in things previously enjoyed, plus at least four other symptoms that show a change from how the person normally is:

• Sleeping: changes in amount of sleep or problems with falling or staying asleep
• Eating: changes in weight or appetite
• Energy: changes in activity level
• Concentration Difficulties
• Problems with Self-Image: feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
• Suicidal Thoughts and Feelings

Click here for more information regarding depression. In addition, please watch "5 Signs of Teenage Depression" below: 

App Spotlight: Teen Hotlines

In addition to the Teen Hotlines app, the CA Youth Crisis Line is another valuable resource. The California Youth Crisis Line (CYCL) operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week as the statewide emergency response system for youth (ages 12-24) and families in crisis. Professionally trained staff and volunteer counselors respond to 20,000 calls annually with crisis intervention counseling and resource referrals to service providers in the caller’s local community. They have access to more than 5,500 free or low-cost resources for youth and families across California.

Journal Spotlight: School Psychologist, Heather Toll 
During this time, I am going to journal about my day (it is a great way to reduce stress and ease anxiety--I hope you will join me and not only read about my day, but also start journaling for yourself):

Week 3/16-3/20

Dear Grizzly Students and Parents/Guardians,

Welcome to Grange Guidance for Grizzlies! This blog will serve as a place for information and a way to get in touch with me, Grange's School Psychologist to help problem solve and just check-in. If you have anything that you want to share, questions, or concerns, please feel free to reach out and I will get back to you as soon as I am able to (see my contact information to the left).

Check out some awesome apps that can help you achieve your mental and physical health goals (I love the Calm and MyFitnessPal apps):

In addition, due to the Coronavirus (check out this map that tracks cases across the United States and this comic that teaches about Coronavirus), there might be some anxiety and fear. Read this article on how to Manage Stress and Anxiety. The main takeaways to support yourself are the following:

1. Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media. Hearing about the pandemic repeatedly can be upsetting.
2. Take care of your body. Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate. Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs.
3. Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.

4. Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling. 

During this time, I am going to journal about my day (it is a great way to reduce stress and ease anxiety--I hope you will join me and not only read about my day, but also start journaling for yourself):