December Newsletter

    The Holiday Season is here.  I want to wish everyone a joyous season.  While you are enjoying your time with family and counting your blessings as you celebrate please be aware of each other.  The holidays aren’t joyous for all, and some of our loved ones need our support. Sometimes, hurtful of sad memories are triggered, it may even be the lack of daylight hours, but whatever it is for each individual, the holidays can be a tough time.
     Much like schools, our society is being challenged with a mental health crisis.  In school, we talk about social, emotional, behavioral, (SEB) or social, emotional learning (SEL) and its impact on students.    Whatever you call it, it boils down to our mental health. For students it’s not just depression and anxiety, its self regulation, physical stimulation, or connectedness.  From the National Association of School Psychologists, mental health is defined as: “Mental health is not simply the absence of mental illness but also encompasses social, emotional, and behavioral health and the ability to cope with life’s challenges”.  
     Your typical school staff receives very little training in dealing with the SEB issues they are faced with on a daily basis.  Gardiner Schools has made it an emphasis to provide training to teachers and other staff in dealing with SEB concerns. School wide training was provided in PAX, the Good Behavior Game, and Restorative Practices; multiple staff members attended a training last winter specifically for anxiety; the entire teaching staff had a nationally renowned speaker come to Gardiner to train them on anxiety; the elementary staff is actively developing a school wide system in helping to provide proper interventions to students in need, much like we do with RTI for students struggling in math and/or reading.  No matter the amount of training provided to school staff and how great of a job they can do, some students will need more. In that respect, last year the school wrote a grant, which we did not receive, to employ a school based therapist to have on hand to handle our daily crisis, to help develop interventions for our SEB students, and to train teachers as well. This is something we continue to pursue as we look for alternatives.  
     Some of the things schools naturally provide, such as structure and security allow kids to flourish.  While everyone needs a break from structure the long Holiday Break coupled with cold weather often keeping us indoors, and the darkest part of the year, all work against many of the students facing SEB problems.  Watch your student as they deal with the over excitement, and over stimulation that often comes with the Holiday season. What do you notice, how do they cope, is it healthy, what instruction may they need? All of these are signs of their overall mental health.  
     Here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatricians: 

• During the busy holiday time, try to keep household routines the same. Stick to your child's usual sleep and mealtime schedules when you can, which may reduce stress and help your family enjoy the holidays.
  
• Take care of yourself, both mentally and physically. Children and adolescents are affected by the emotional well-being of their parents and caregivers. Coping with stress successfully can help children learn how to handle stress better, too.
  
• Make a plan to focus on one thing at a time. Try a few ideas to balance the hustle and bustle of things like shopping, cooking, and family get-togethers during the holidays: Stop and pay attention to what is happening at the moment, focus your attention on one thing about it, and notice how you are feeling at the time. Withhold immediate judgment, and instead be curious about the experience.
  
• Give to others by making it an annual holiday tradition to share your time and talents with people who have less than you do. For example, if your child is old enough, encourage him or her to join you in volunteering to serve a holiday meal at your local food bank or shelter, or sing at a local nursing home. Help your child write a letter to members of the armed forces stationed abroad who can't be home with their own family during the holidays.
  
• Remember that many children and adults experience a sense of loss, sadness or isolation during the holidays. It is important to be sensitive to these feelings and ask for help for you, your children, family members or friends if needed.
  
• Don't feel pressured to over-spend on gifts. Consider making one or two gifts. Help your child make a gift for a parent, grandparent, or other important adults and friends. Chances are, those gifts will be the most treasured ones and will teach your child many important lessons.  
  
• Most important of all, enjoy the holidays for what they are--time to enjoy with your family. So, be a family, do things together like sledding or playing board games, and spend time visiting with relatives, neighbors and friends.
  

     Next to family, no one cares for your student more than we do.  Together, we can have a positive life long influence, not just in educating your child, but in making sure they can live a healthy, productive life.  With the utmost sincerity, as the last bullet point suggests, please enjoy your Holiday season with your family, it’s the greatest gift you can give.  

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