Redwood High Newsletter
October 2019
Upstanding
"The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty… but the silence over that by the good people."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
One of the key features of this work is upstanding. Upstanding is the opposite of bystanding. Upstanding is being active, not passive. Upstanding is standing up and saying something or doing something when we see or can prevent wrong or hurt. It is the opposite of "letting it go," "looking away" and "turning a blind eye." Upstanding is saying something when a racist, insensitive or stereotyping comment is made. Upstanding is helping someone who is being picked on or bullied or attacked. Upstanding is reporting a problem to an adult in our school or confidentially letting us know through our confidential tip line. Anti-racism, anti-hate and anti-bias work requires us to upstand if we are to make a positive difference to our school culture and community. If we want to appreciate each other and embrace and celebrate our differences, we need to upstand when we see or experience racism, hate or bias.
Upstanding is important in other areas as well as anti-racist work. It is important when we see sexual harassment, bullying and other mistreatment of others whether in person or online. Sometimes upstanding means saying something to others (always in a respectful and appropriate way). Other times, upstanding means sharing your concerns with a school staff member. Either way, the difference between upstanding and bystanding is the difference between doing something to make our school culture better for everyone at Redwood and ignoring the type of behavior that can hurt others, emotionally and/or physically.
Is it easy to upstand? Not always, but we know that some of our most important actions are not always easy. Put yourself in the shoes of others and, if you would want someone to upstand if you were in their shoes, then it's time to upstand.
Below are some resources related to upstanding you may find useful/interesting to discuss with your friends, students and parents.
6 Reasons Why Bystanders Choose Not To Intervene To Stop Bullying
Collection of Upstanding Strategies
Thank you for your support. It is only through the work of each one of us that we can ensure Redwood is great for all our students, not just some of our students.
Thanks,
David
Club Days/Sign Ups
Club Days were very successful last week. Students who were unable to join a club can still do so. Check the Redwood website or Room 107 for a list of all the RHS clubs! Get involved, get to know others and have fun with one of your interests.
Stop The Bleed
We are excited to announce that we we will soon have Stop The Bleed bandage/tourniquet kits in each of our classrooms at RHS thanks to a Marin County Office of Education grant. Stop the Bleed is a national campaign (bleedingcontrol.org) to encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives. Stop the Bleed kits provide us with the ability of stopping life-threatening bleeding in the event of serious injury. In the coming weeks, all staff will be trained to use the Stop The Bleed kits. Thank you, Marin County Office of Education!
Thanks, PTSA!
TUHSD Budget Update
Please come to a forum on October 30 at 6:00 pm in the Redwood Library for a parent meeting with District CFO Corbett Elsen and Superintendent Tara Taupier to hear an update on District finances and a potential parcel tax renewal.
Upcoming Calendar/Schedule Items
- Week of 9/30 - Minimum Day Wednesday
- Foundation Kick Off Event, October 1, 6:30 - 9:00 PM, Marin Art and Garden Center
- RHS Counselors Financial Aid Night, October 3, 6:30 - 7:30 PM, Small Gym
- Week of 10/7 - No School on Wednesday
- Redwood Night Live - Dodgeball Tourney, October 11, 7:30 - 10:00 PM, Main Gym
- Financial Aid Workshop, October 12, 9:00 AM - Noon, Library
- Dance-a-Thon, October 12, 4:00 - 10:00 PM, Theater
- PTSA Parent Ed - Executive Function Skill Building: How to Help Your Child Complete Tasks Independently, October 15, 8:30 - 10:00 AM
- HIGH Free Community Event with Authors David and Nic Sheff, 7:00 PM, Angelico Hall at Dominican University
- PSAT Exam, October 19, 7:45 - 11:00 a.m.
- Homecoming Football Game, October 26, 2:00 PM
- Homecoming Dance, October 26, 8:00 - 10:30 PM
- Veteran's Holiday, Monday, November 11
Information/Announcements
Mental Health Wellness
In an effort to further increase awareness and understanding of mental health wellness, the Marin County Office of Education, in partnership American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, is offering teachers, parents, and community members an opportunity to discuss this issue. The forums will address topics related to the causes and risk factors for suicide, detecting the warning signs of suicide, and strategies for suicide prevention. We believe suicide is preventable, and want to do all that we can to keep ourselves and loved ones well.
During the month of October and November, the following opportunities will be offered for free to all participants. Please see information below and flyer attached for more information specific to the event.
This Talk Saves Lives presentation will cover what we know about this leading cause of death, the most up-to-date research on prevention, and what we can all do to fight suicide.
For Educators: October 1, 2019, 3:30- 4:30 PM, Marin County Office of Education Register here
For Family and Community Members: October 30, 2019, 9:00 - 10:00 AM, Marin County Office of Education, Register Here
For Educators: November 12, 2019, 3:30 - 4:30 PM, Marin County Office of Education, Register Here
Resilient Families – Navigating Substance Use and Abuse During the Teen Years
October 22, 2019, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., Kreps Conference Center
February 4, 2019, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., Kreps Conference Center
There will be two presentations this year to introduce families to the landscape of teen substance use and abuse in Marin County (see attached flyer). These presentations are for parents/caregivers and teens.
Fentanyl Information for Parents
In an effort to keep our parents and community informed about the recent trend in overdoses related to Fentanyl in the Bay Area, including Marin County, please see the attached message. We are grateful to the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services efforts to keep our students, families and community safe.
About Us
Email: rhswebmaster@tamdistrict.org
Website: www.redwood.org
Location: 395 Doherty Drive, Larkspur, CA, USA 94939
Phone: (415) 924-6200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Redwood-High-School-355847257835858/
Twitter: @RHSGiants411