FALL 2018
HEALTHY SCHOOLS INITIATIVE 2018-19
Where funding goes A quick breakdown of our $4.3 million budget serving 28,000 students
$2.5million $840k $640k 28 Wellness Coordinators, nurses, and counselors
Dear HSI Community,
K-5 P.E. programs Grants awarded to 29 in 12 RCSD schools community partners for schoolbased health programs
PE+ program for grades K-5 in the Redwood
City School District I am pleased to introduce myself as the Nutrition education Director of School Health for the Sequoia The Parent Education Series Healthcare District (SHD). I am a retired Health Connected sexual health curriculum pediatrician and served seven years as Wellness The Neuroscience of Addiction curriculum Coordinator for the Sequoia Union High School Substance use prevention resources District, My goal is to lead our wellness team, CPR training for over 12,000 high school unifying our seven elementary school districts students and one high school district. Our team addresses common overarching health and Read ahead about one example of how we are safety objectives with a focus on prevention Initiating the Conversation through innovative and early intervention. programming and partnerships between your The Healthy Schools Initiative (HSI) was initially school district and our valuable partners. I look launched in 2010, and over the years has forward to future successes along with our become one of the SHD’s major investments in community’s ongoing support for the health of the community. With an annual HSI budget of our children. $4.3 million, SHD has partnered with our eight Sincerely, school districts to support key positions and programs such as: Wellness Coordinators School nurses On-campus mental health counseling
Karen E. Li, MD Director of School Health
services (including StarVista, Acknowledge Alliance, and Adolescent Counseling Services) The Green Folder Initiative (staff and parent mental health resource guides) 525 Veterans Blvd,
Redwood City, CA 94063
( 650)421-2155
www.seqhd.org
Introducing the HSI Wellness Team
Elizabeth Boldt
Maynell Palmer
Kim Staff
Kristen Shima
Belmont Redwood-Shores School District
Las Lomitas Elementary School District
Menlo Park City School District
Portola Valley School District
Initiating the Conversation In many ways, we are unique in that we are
This fall, Sequoia Union High School District’s
one of the few healthcare districts in California Wellness Advisory Council (WAC), in to provide a comprehensive level of support to
partnership with SHD and community allies
local school districts through our Healthy
Parent Venture, CHC/PEN (Children’s Health
Schools Initiative.
Council/Parent Education Network) and Palo
One major theme for Healthy Schools Initiative programming over this past year was continuing or, in many cases, starting the conversation about youth mental health. HSIfunded Wellness Coordinators (pictured above) are leading the conversation in each of their
Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF), launched evening community screenings of Angst, a documentary on anxiety. Each of the four comprehensive high schools also hosted daytime screenings for staff and students with a staff or student panel.
districts. We are pleased to welcome Javier
With an objective of furthering the
Gutierrez as the newest member to the team.
conversation at home, each of the Angst
The HSI Wellness Team meets monthly to work on shared objectives and collaborate on best practices. One over-arching objective this year is collecting mental health data so we can better assess the mental health needs of our students.
DID YOU KNOW? About 1 in 4 children experience clinical anxiety? Nearly one in three adolescents (31.9%) will meet criteria for an anxiety disorder by the age of 18.
screenings SHD provided Parent Green Folders, a resource guide for parents with a parent action plan to “See Something, Say Something, Do Something”. SHD is currently partnering on developing a Parent Green Folder app as well. You can view and download the Parent Green
Folder on seqhd.org. 12% of California youth reported at least one major depressive episode in the past year? Adolescent girls are more than twice as likely to experience depression than boys, 15.9% vs 7.7%. Anxiety is a treatable illness?
Andrea Garen
Mindy Hill
Javier Gutierrez
Abbe Keane
Redwood City School District
San Carlos School District
Sequoia Union High School District
Woodside Elementary School District
Our students deserve to have a safe platform for conversations on difficult topics that are pertinent to them, one of which is the topic of substance abuse. SHD has also been instrumental in ensuring that students have access to innovative health curriculum such as the Neuroscience of Addiction (NOA), which is currently taught in the Sequoia Union High School District. Additionally, through partnerships with Breathe California and the Tobacco Education Coalition, we will be piloting a peer-to-peer drug education program between the high school and feeder
For more information about the film, visit: ANGST - Tools and Resources
school districts, San Carlos and Redwood City School District. Please look for an upcoming Public Service Announcement from the SHD on the topic of vaping.
Worried? Take our 2-minute anxiety quiz: www.psycom.net/anxiety-test Organizations
Child-Mind Institute- For Families Children's Health Council - Anxiety and Depression National Institute of Mental Health Anxiety and Depression Association of America
Articles
How to Help a Child Overcome School Refusal What to Do (and Not DO) When Children Are Anxious What Does Childhood Anxiety Look Like? Probably Not What You Think YA Fiction John Green, Turtles All the Way Down
Understanding School Refusal What is school refusal? First and foremost, school refusal is a form of anxiety that demands treatment. School refusal is NOT a behavioral problem, nor is it the same as truancy (see chart below). You can’t discipline your child out of school refusal. School refusal peaks at several points of development: Kindergarten entry, between ages 7-9, and middle or high school entry. Boys and girls are equally affected.
By Psychology Today
What can parents do?
Meet with the school counselor, teacher, and staff. Talk to your child about their reasons for not wanting to go to school. Highlight the positive aspects of school. staff Help your child build a support system. Contact your pediatrician for a referral to a therapist.
A Personal Story: Anxiety Hits Home
By a local parent
Sitting in the parking lot of our child’s school, I cried so hard it was a struggle to catch my breath. I had been holding it together for 45 minutes and then the dam broke. As my body shook and my heart sank, I called my husband for support. You see, our 11-year-old son refused to get out of the car and go to school. Extremely upset, he was screaming and crying for me to take him home. I would like to say that this was a one-off, an isolated event, but it wasn’t. It was probably day 8 of the 13 days he wouldn’t make it to school that semester. Two years ago, our son, starting 6th grade at a new school, suffered from “school refusal”(1) triggered by academic anxiety. What we went through I don’t wish on any family. I walked around each day with a pit in my stomach. It was so difficult to see my son in pain. Not wanting to get out of bed, he would hide under the covers. One morning our son locked himself in his
bedroom and texted me that he wasn’t going to school. My sister, who had come to help, took the doorknob off so we could get to him. While this was an extreme situation, it demonstrates the tough situations we faced. (Read the full article here)
SCHOOL REFUSAL
TRUANCY
Severe emotional stress about attending school: may include anxiety, temper tantrums, depression or somatic issues
Lack of excessive anxiety or fear about attending school
Parent are aware of the absence or the child convinces parents to allow him or her to stay home
Children often attempt to conceal their absence from parents
Absence of significant behavioral or antisocial problems
Frequent antisocial behavior, often in the company of antisocial peers
During school hours, the child stays home because it is safe
During school hours, the child is somewhere other than home
A willingness to do homework and complies by completing work at home
Lack of willingness to do schoolwork or meet academic expectations
Understanding Anxiety How do I know if my child’s anxiety is outside of the normal range? The difference between normal worry and an anxiety disorder is severity. Although feeling anxious is a natural reaction to a stressful or dangerous situation, a child may need help if their anxiety is out of proportion, if it persists, or if it interferes with their daily functioning and healthy development.
How can I help my child today?
Try self-help methods and ways of relaxation, including breathing, music, meditating, yoga, and journaling. Talk with your child about feelings and fears which can help reduce them. Emphasize the positive aspects of school, such as playing at recess and seeing friends. Encourage hobbies and interests to help build self-confidence.
Interview with Dr. Annette Hwang Dr. Hwang has been a pediatrician for over twenty years. She is currently working at the Menlo Medical Clinic. I had the pleasure of speaking with her on the topic of child anxiety. Here is what she had to say:
Q: Are you seeing an increase in child anxiety? If so, why? A: Yes, I see more children suffering from anxiety and at younger ages. It is hard to pinpoint one specific cause. Reasons include: social media,
school pressure, college expectations, intensive after school activities, and living in Silicon Valley.
Q: What are the signs parents should be aware of? A: Symptoms include feeling tired, headaches, abdominal pain, and sleep issues. Pay attention if your child is avoiding things. Also, are they not getting over illnesses in a normal time frame?
By Stacey Holmes
Q; What is your treatment approach? A: I talk to the child. Some kids won’t talk in front of their parents so I will send parents out of the room. One of the first things I do is learn about their schedule/routine. My suggestions include: ensuring downtime, limiting social media, and looking at their sleep and nutrition. I encourage parents to give their children responsibilities at home, such as chores. Parents shouldn’t do everything for their children. Also, children should be given the opportunity to make choices/decisions, providing them with a sense of control. I will refer them to other resources, including the school counselor, a therapist, and/or psychiatrist. Q: Do you have anything else to add? A: I would like to mention the importance of addressing any concerns early. While anxiety can be hard to diagnose in children it is treatable.
Having a Conversation with an Anxious Child What to Say
What NOT to Say
Validate their feelings, and express your support Avoid using phrases that minimize or invalidate and confidence in your child: feelings: I know you’re scared, and that’s okay. I’m here, and I’m going to help you get through this.
Don’t worry. It’s no big deal. You will be fine. There is nothing to be afraid of.
Sequoia Healthcare Funding Makes a Huge Impact on Learning in SCSD Establishing the optimal conditions for learning requires constant effort and dedicated support from many facets of our school district and supporting organizations. In fact, one of the main things that drew our new SCSD Superintendent Michelle Harmeier to our district is the fact that Sequoia Healthcare District is partnering with us to create those optimal conditions. After all, how will she be able to reach her dream of creating the best possible educational experience for every child, without the robust community support of student wellness? The nearly $700,000 that Sequoia Healthcare District gives our district is absolutely essential in this state where education is severely underfunded.
The true fact of the matter is that without Sequoia Healthcare District, we wouldn’t have school counselors, a mental health coordinator, a specialized elementary PE program, school nurses, or a wellness coordinator. Imagine? In her 26+ years in education across many regions of the state, Dr. Harmeier has seen what can happen to kids without dedicated School Counselors to teach them foundational social emotional learning skills. Unfortunately, in such situations there tends to be more of a punitive, reactive approach to student behavior that often sets students up for a cycle of negative school experiences and difficulties with learning. Such a fragile system also strains educators and impacts their longevity with a school district. Whereas, with the school counselors, Mental Health Coordinator, and Marriage and Family Therapy Interns that Sequoia Healthcare District supports, we can build a proactive and
restorative environment where students stay engaged with learning and take responsibility for their behavior, and classroom teachers can build their own capacity to help all children succeed. Our new Assistant Superintendent, Hans Barber, says, “I was blown away by the depth and breadth of what our school counselors can accomplish here in SCSD!”
SCSD School Counselors (Left to right) Laura MacFarlane, Rachel Parker, Andrea Dimas, Julie Jobak, Vivian Garlick (Front) Kim Arasato
Throughout California, in the six school districts where she has worked, Dr. Harmeier has seen the growing number of students who come to school with serious medical conditions such as diabetes. Without Sequoia Healthcare District, SCSD would still have just one part-time roving nurse serving our eight schools. Fortunately, we have three wonderful School Nurses who not only share those demanding duties, but also provide health education for our Kindergarten, 2nd, and 5th graders. Strong physical education programs with specialized PE Coaches also make a huge difference in learning. Over the past five years, our 5th and 7th graders have consistently
improved in their Physical Fitness Test scores in all six measures of fitness. We attribute much of this improvement to our fantastic team of coaches and educators who give students the opportunity to learn from a standards-based program that emphasizes fitness and wellness. Our Wellness Coordinator’s role is to synergize and strategize with all of these personnel and programs, while also building the capacity of our parents through ongoing parent education. Four years ago Sequoia Healthcare District began sponsoring the Wellness Wing of the San Carlos Hometown Days celebration where more than 10,000 people visit to have fun being healthy. Staying connected with the county health and education systems helps our district build on the knowledge of others instead of operating in isolation, so we really appreciate that the Sequoia Healthcare District sponsors our county’s Mental Health Collaborative, Wellness Alliance, and many other county-wide initiatives.
Parent Education 2018 Contact Mindy Hill mhill@scsdk8.org My Digital Tat2-Social Media and Your Child Audience: Parents of students ages 9-15 Presenter: My Digital Tat2 Date: Nov. 14, 6:30-8:30pm Location: SCSD District Office Board Room, Unit 9B RSVP: http://evite.me/g8hPv7Fz1u
Healthy Family Habits: Starting Early to Build Happy Teens Audience: Parents of students of all ages Presenter: Dr. Jane Anderson Date: Mid-January or February Location: SCSD District Office Board Room, Unit 9B
Sexual Health Curriculum for 7th Grade Audience: Parents of 7th graders Presenter: Health Connected February 25, 2019 6:30-8:00pm Location SCSD District Office Board Room, Unit 9B RSVP: http://evite.me/FtcKCJstmn
Best Parenting for Early Childhood Media Use
We here in San Carlos School District know how truly fortunate we are to have the support of Sequoia Healthcare District. Their commitment to children of this region is visible to us every day!
Audience: Parents of students ages 3-8 Presenter: Dr. Aaron Nayfack Date: TBD
Drug and Alcohol Use Prevention Audience: Parents of 4th-8th graders Presenter: Being Adept Date: TBD