2020 Fall Healthy Schools Initiative Newsletter

MESSAGE FROM SEQUOIA HEALTHCARE DISTRICT

Dear Healthy Schools Initiative families, Estimadas familias de la iniciativa de escuelas saludable,

The Covid-19 pandemic has presented numerous challenges for our communities, but one that stands out is the toll it has taken on the mental health of our children and teens, as well as parents and educators. To address this challenge, Sequoia Healthcare District has ramped up support for our local school districts in a variety of ways.

We continue to fund student mental health services, parent/community education, and teacher/staff professional development such as Kognito's suicide prevention and trauma trainings and CircleUp Education's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) trainings. We also hosted an inaugural Town Hall meeting on September 17, which focused on “Mental Health Support in Schools During Covid-19” . Our team of health and wellness leads from our eight partner school districts joined a panel discussion along with mental health experts from four local mental health non-profit organizations. I invite you to view the recorded Town Hall.

We have a superb team of health and wellness leads (below), and I encourage you to read about the important and innovative work taking place in your child’ s school district during this uncertain time. The pandemic has highlighted how critical it is to be familiar with the services and support offered by your child's school and the community at large. Please refer to our Parent Green Folder for local mental health resources.

Covid-19 has impacted all of our lives but we're hoping that by coming together as a community we can overcome some of the difficulties faced by many families. Try staying healthy by wearing masks, physically distancing, washing hands, and getting your flu shots. San Mateo County also offers free Covid testing. We wish you the best as we navigate the 2020-21 school year together!

Yours truly, La pandemia de Covid-19 ha presentado numerosos desafíos para nuestras comunidades, pero uno que se destaca es el impacto que ha tenido en la salud mental de nuestros niños y adolescentes, así como la los padres y educadores. Para abordar este desafío, Sequoia Healthcare District ha aumentado el apoyo a nuestros distritos escolares locales en una variedad de formas.

Continuamos financiando servicios de salud mental para estudiantes, educación para padres/la comunidad, y desarrollo profesional para maestros/el personal, como las capacitaciones de prevención del suicidio y trauma de Kognito y las capitaciones de diversidad, equidad e inclusión (DEI, por sus siglas en ingles) de CircleUp Education. También organizamos una reunión inaugural de la alcaldía el 17 de septiembre, que se enfocó en “ apoyo de salud mental en las escuelas durante Covid-19” . Nuestro equipo de líderes de salud y bienestar de nuestros ocho distritos escolares socios se unieron a un panel de discusión junto con expertos en salud mental de cuatro organizaciones de salud mental sin fines de lucro. Los invito a ver la reunión de la alcaldía grabada.

Tenemos un excelente equipo de líderes de salud y bienestar (a continuación), y los animo a que lean sobre el trabajo importante e innovador llevándose a cabo en el distrito escolar de su hijo(a) durante este tiempo incierto. La pandemia ha destacado lo importante que es estar familiarizado con estos servicios y apoyo ofrecidos por la escuela de su hijo(a) y la comunidad en general. Por favor de referirse a nuestra Capeta Verde para Padres para obtener recursos de salud mental.

Covid-19 ha impactado todas nuestras vidas, pero esperamos que al unirnos como comunidad podamos superar algunas de las dificultades que enfrentan muchas familias. Intente mantenerse saludable al usar mascarillas, distanciamiento físico, lavándose la manos, y vacunándosecontra la gripe. El condado de San Mateo también ofreces pruebas de Covid gratuitas. ¡Les deseamos lo mejor mientras navegamos juntos el año escolar 2020-21!

HSI NEWSLETTER FALL 2020

Abbe Keane Woodside Elementary SD

Abbe has worked for nearly thirty years as a public health nurse as well as a school nurse and consultant to numerous schools along the Peninsula. Abbe has been involved in teaching science and health education classes and currently works as the school nurse for both the Woodside and Portola Valley districts.

Kristen Sevillia Belmont-Redwood Shores SD

Prior to her current role, Kristen served as Asst. Principal at Sandpiper School, having also spent the previous 4 years as a coordinator in Curriculum and Instruction at the San Mateo County Office of Ed. Kristen is devoted to supporting programs aimed at the whole

Andrea Garen Redwood City SD

Chris Arrington Menlo Park City SD

Prior to her role as Director of

Health and Wellness in RCSD,

Ms. Garen spent ten years leading marketing and health education projects for the

Dairy Council of California. She is passionate about promoting physical, mental and social well-being for all RCSD students and their families and supporting good health in our communities.

Kristen Shima Portola Valley SD

Kristen has worked for over 20 years in education as a teacher, counselor and an administrator. She has been a member of PVSD for 15 years and is currently the principal of Corte Madera School. In addition, she leads the Wellness Team where she helps to coordinate social emotional learning, health education, Positive Intervention and Support and staff/ student Chris has worked in education for 36-years and the last 30years as a school psychologist. He has been in MPCSD for 18years, providing socialemotional trainings for parents and staff. He has also been part of growing the districtwide PBIS programs and providing intensive behavioral/emotional support for special needs students.

Mindy Hill San Carlos SD

Mindy began working at SCSD December, 2013. Prior to becoming Wellness Director, Mindy pursued a career as a K8 educator and administrator. She also had the great pleasure of working as an Associate Director for a nonprofit organization that works to prevent drug and alcohol abuse using a community-

Javier Gutierrez Sequoia Union HSD

Javier coordinates health services, education programs, and proactive support for the students of SUHSD. As a former teacher and administrator, this position continues Javier ’ s efforts to develop the whole student while positively

child. wellness activities.

as Wellness Director in impacting academic success.

coalition model.

Nell Curran Las Lomitas Elementary SD

Nell is the Wellness Coordinator for Las Lomitas Elementary School District where she supports the needs of staff, students, and families while also building a culture of wellness across the district. Nell brings 15 years of public health education experience from her time at the Stanford School of Medicine.