SCSD HSI Newsletter Spring 2023

HEALTHY SCHOOLS INITIATIVE (HSI)

Dear Healthy Schools Initiative (HSI) community,

We are excited to introduce you to the new Director of School Health at Sequoia Healthcare District - Ann Wasson Ann has more than 25 years of experience in program development, fostering partnerships, community engagement, and cultivating collaborative advocacy in Los Angeles and Monterey County She was the Public Affairs Officer for the LA County Medical Association, a Director of the Violence Intervention Program at LAC+ USC Medical Center, the Director of Fiscal Sponsorship Programs and Grants Administration for the Action Council of Monterey County, and the Founder/Director of “Blue Crew,” a servicelearning program to address climate change through youth voice and leadership

Ann has made civic engagement and service to her community a priority She has served on the Boards of Young & Healthy, National Charity League and Junior League of Pasadena, Carmel River Elementary School Site Council, and Action Council of Monterey County, and in leadership positions for such organizations as Women in Public Affairs, Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect, California Service-Learning Leadership Institute, Monterey Bay Christ Child Society and Carmel Unified School District Social and Emotional Learning Team

In her role as SHD’s Director of School Health, Ann will identify health and safety needs, provide vision and leadership, and collaborate with school district wellness coordinators and community partners

Ann holds a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology / Industrial Organizational Psychology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science from California State University, Los Angeles, graduating Magna cum laude both times while swimming for the NCAA Division II Intercollegiate Swim Team She also holds a Service-Learning Certification from the California Department of Education

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING WORK

In 2020, San Carlos School District began working with Inclusion Counts to partner on our equity work. They worked with us to interview our community members and stakeholders to ensure everyone’s voice was heard. We are now completing our three year journey with this organization, and since then we have accomplished a lot within our subcommittees. These subcommittees include: Achievement, Discipline, Policies and Systems; Culture, Climate, and Caregiver Education; Diverse Staff; and Curriculum, Content and Professional Learning Each subcommittee is made up of teachers, parents, leadership, staff, and even former students! Some recent accomplishments include a new social studies curriculum adoption, increased holidays being honored in the classroom, leadership going through an LGBTQ+ training, and so much more And, as we all know, this work is forever unfolding and never finished We look forward to keeping you posted on our next steps to increase accessibility and justice for all in the San Carlos School District community.

SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH AND TRAUMA IN THE CLASSROOM

Our Mental Health Lead, Kiersten Daniel-Baca, and myself, Wellness Director Ilana Yakubovich, have been to each school site to train all teachers, including paraeducators, on “Supporting Mental Health and Trauma in the Classroom ” We crafted this presentation to ensure that all of our educators have a baseline understanding of mental health diagnoses, how they present in the classroom, and tangible strategies folks can implement in their classrooms to ensure their teaching and spaces are trauma-informed and focused on restorative practices. This learning supports teachers in supporting their students, AND allows them to focus on supporting themselves, as well, because well-taken care of students lead to well taken care of educators

Lunar New Year Celebration at Arroyo Upper Elementary School

It’s Cool to Be Kind” Wall at Arundel Elementary School

CAREGIVER EDUCATION: SPOTLIGHT ON KINDFUL BODY

February is National Eating Disorder Awareness Month, and research shows that 80% of girls have been on a diet before the age of 8 in the United States Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, and eating disorders and diet culture are not frequently discussed in our schools Therefore, we have partnered with Kindful Body, an eating disorder therapy and nutrition program in San Carlos, to provide education to caregivers They presented a parent education session all about busting dieting myths, and provided psychoeducation on how caregivers can create a safe and supportive household free of diet culture and body shaming, and provided resources and ideas for preventing eating disorders and knowing what to do if your student exhibits signs Kindful Body is going to be doing assemblies for our middle school students next, all about eating disorder prevention We are so grateful to this program for their support in medically accurate guidance and support

PARENT EDUCATION

How to Give Advice Your Children

(Might) Listen To

Eran Magen, PhD, Founder, Parenting for Humans

Friday, April 28, 2023

12:00pm – 1:00pm PT

Online Event (Live)

How can you give advice that your child or teen (might) listen to? We want to educate and inform our kids, but what's the best way to make sure your message is well received?

Join us for a new Parent Forum (English) with Eran Magen, PhD, parent-child communication expert and founder of Parenting for Humans Register here

Cultivating Mindfulness: How to Bring Gratitude and Positive Practices into Your Home (Spanish)

Karen Allen, Mindful Educator, Mission Be

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

5:30pm – 6:30pm PT

Online Event (Live)

In this webinar, Karen Allen, Mindful Educator with Mission Be, a mindfulness-based nonprofit organization, will guide you on how to cultivate mindfulness, including gratitude and positivity in your lives, homes, and families Register here

EDUCACIÓN PARA PADRES

Cómo dar consejos que sus hijos (podrían) escuchar

Eran Magen, PhD, fundador, Parenting for Humans

Viernes, 28 de abril de 2023

12:00pm – 1:00pm PT evento en línea (en vivo)

¿Cómo puede dar consejos que su hijo o adolescente (podría) escuchar? Queremos educar e informar a nuestros hijos, pero ¿cuál es la mejor manera de asegurarnos de que su mensaje sea bien recibido?

Únase a nosotros para un nuevo Foro de Padres (inglés) con Eran Magen, PhD, experto en comunicación entre padres e hijos y fundador de Parenting for Humans Registrese aquí

Cultivando la atención plena: cómo llevar gratitud y prácticas positivas a su hogar (español)

Karen Allen, educadora consciente, Mission Be

Miércoles 3 de mayo de 2023

5:30pm – 6:30pm PT evento en línea (en vivo)

En este seminario web, Karen Allen, educadora consciente de Mission Be, una organización sin fines de lucro basada en la atención plena, lo guiará sobre cómo cultivar la atención plena, incluyendo la gratitud y la positividad en sus vidas, hogares y familias Registrese aquí

INICIATIVA ESCUELAS SALUDABLES (IES)

Estimada comunidad de la Iniciativa de Escuelas Saludables (IES), Nos complace presentarle a la nueva Directora de Salud Escolar en el Distrito de Salud de Sequoia: Ann Wasson Ann tiene más de 25 años de experiencia en el desarrollo de programas, el fomento de asociaciones, la participación comunitaria y el cultivo de la defensa colaborativa en Los Ángeles y el condado de Monterey Fue Oficial de Asuntos Públicos de la Asociación Médica del Condado de Los Ángeles, Directora del Programa de Intervención de Violencia en LAC+ USC Medical Center, Directora de Programas de Patrocinio Fiscal y Administración de Subvenciones para el Consejo de Acción del Condado de Monterey, y Fundadora/Directora de "Blue Crew", un programa de aprendizaje de servicio para abordar el cambio climático a través de la voz y el liderazgo de los jóvenes

Ann ha hecho del compromiso cívico y el servicio a su comunidad una prioridad Ha servido en las Juntas de Young & Healthy, National Charity League y Junior League of Pasadena, Carmel River Elementary School Site Council y Action Council of Monterey County, y en posiciones de liderazgo para organizaciones como Women in Public Affairs, Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect, California Service-Learning Leadership Institute, Monterey Bay Christ Child Society y Carmel Unified School District Social y Emotional Learning Team

En su papel como Directora de Salud Escolar de SHD, Ann identificará las necesidades de salud y seguridad, proporcionará visión y liderazgo, y colaborará con los coordinadores de bienestar del distrito escolar y los socios comunitarios

Ann tiene una Maestría en Ciencias en Psicología Clínica / Psicología Organizacional Industrial y una Licenciatura en Ciencias del Ejercicio de la Universidad Estatal de California, Los Ángeles, graduándose Magna cum laude ambas veces mientras nadaba para el Equipo de Natación Intercolegial de la División II de la NCAA También tiene una Certificación de Aprendizaje de Servicio del Departamento de Educación de California