Mindful Pathways
College and Career Readiness and Social Emotional Learning
March is Women's History Month
As we celebrate Women's History Month this March, it's the perfect opportunity to reflect on and honor the remarkable contributions of women in various careers. Throughout history, women have played pivotal roles in shaping industries, breaking barriers, and paving the way for future generations. This month, let's shine a spotlight on the incredible achievements of women across diverse professional fields.
We celebrate the immense contributions of women across various careers and industries. Their achievements, resilience, and dedication have shaped the past and continue to inspire future generations.
Enjoy this edition of Mindful Pathways,
Daryl Beebe
Executive Director of College & Career Readiness and Social-Emotional Learning
College and Career Happenings
Newest Upward Bound Scholars
We are thrilled to introduce our newest Upward Bound Scholars! In February, after a four-month competitive application process, we announced our successful applicants. Congratulations to these terrific students for their persistence, work ethic, and future college goals!
McDonald's Scholarship Winner Marcia Payne
Wayne Memorial student Marcia Payne was awarded a $1,000 Scholarship from the McDonald's Michigan Black History Makers of Tomorrow scholarship program Monday March 4th.
Attention High School Juniors and Seniors, Classes of 2024 and 2025!
*This event is for students who would be otherwise unable to afford senior pictures.
FAFSA Game and Gain Event at WMHS
WM students attending the first ever FAFSA Game & Gain event where they had the opportunity to create FSA IDs, fill out FAFSA forms, college applications, enjoy snacks, and Nintendo Switch games once they completed their checklist.
JGHS Visits MIAT/UTI Trade School
JGHS learning about Diesel Engines
Aviation workshop Propeller Component
Aviation workshop
College Rep Visits
WM students participating in Washtenaw Community College Rep Visit & RESA career chat.
What's new with the 2024-25 FAFSA? Keep up with all of the latest updates and resources related to the 2024-25 FAFSA at michigan.gov/fafsainfo. The information available includes: We will continue to share helpful FAFSA updates and reminders as this information is updated.
888-447-2687
Scholarships
Social and Emotional Learning
March is Self-Harm Awareness Month
March is Self-Harm Awareness Month. If a student has been hurting themselves on purpose, the real hurt is inside. Self-harm is used to cope in the moment but can end up becoming a dangerous cycle. Here are some signs that your student is vulnerable and may be self-injuring:
- Symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress
- Visible cuts, scratches, or unexplained wounds
- Covering their bodies with bandages, long sleeves, or long pants
If your student needs intervention and support for self-harm and its root causes, contact Care Solace. Care Solace will navigate the mental health care system, explain options, and quickly find available providers in our local community. Care Solace is a complimentary and confidential care coordination service provided by Wayne-Westland Community School District.
- Call 888-515-0595. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365.
- Visit caresolace.com/wwcsd and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
As always, we are committed to promoting and protecting our students’ total wellbeing.
As we celebrate Women's History Month, it is crucial to recognize the influential leaders who have impacted mental health. From enriching clinical practice to challenging public perceptions, these women have been at the forefront of normalizing conversations around mental wellness.
Women's History Month is a month to study, observe, and celebrate the vital role women play in American life and history. We will continue to encourage girls and young women to speak up, challenge expectations, and become trailblazers, pioneers, innovators, and leaders. And that includes encouraging them to advocate for their own mental health.
Dorthea Dix (1802 - 1887)
Dorothea’s advocacy resulted in drastic changes in the mental health field, changing the perception that people with mental disturbances could not be cured or helped.
Inez Beverly Prosser (1897 - 1934)
Inez was the first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in Psychology and is recognized for her work in educational psychology and desegregation.
Reiko Homma True (1933 - present)
Reiko is the first POC woman to be director of the San Francisco Community Mental Health Services, and advances mental health treatment for Asian Americans.
Angela Neal-Barnett (1960 - present)
Neal-Barnett is a leading expert in Black mental health, emphasizing anxiety disorders among Black women and girls. Her latest efforts center around expectant mothers who suffer from PTSD.
Simone Biles (1997 - present)
Simone helped destigmatize mental health by sharing her story and withdrawing from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and continues to share advice for young athletes
Naomi Osaka (1997 - present)
Naomi opened up about her mental health struggles and the pressure of expectations at the 2021 French Open, inspiring many young athletes to share their own stories.
Safety Reminder!
All students and members of our school communities deserve to feel safe, welcomed, and included. It is on all of us to work together to prevent firearm violence and to avoid the harm and tragedy that shootings of any kind can cause in the spaces in which we live, learn, work, and play.
Safe firearm storage is one of many preventative actions that you can take to keep our school community and school buildings and grounds safe. When firearms are stored safely, it can help prevent them from getting into the hands of children and teens, who may use them to, intentionally or unintentionally, harm themselves or others. Safe storage can go a long way in preventing lives from being lost or permanently altered. If you have firearms in your home or if your child spends time in a space where firearms are present, there are essential steps to keep firearms secured and out of reach of unintended users. Please see this letter from Superintendent Dr. John Dignan, about resources and ways to keep our homes and communities safe from firearm-related injuries and death.
Compassion Project Winners
On March 4th, Wayne-Westland Community Schools Social Emotional Learning Department presented 3 students at the Westland City Council meeting to be recognized for random acts of kindness, as a part of the Compassion Project.
Stevenson Middle School
Student: Sylvia Holdwick
Random Act of Kindness: Helping other students with academic and social challenges.
Franklin Middle School
Student: Rylee McCree
Act of Kindness: "Rylee made (homemade) 30 candy-filled pumpkins for her volleyball teammates and then made an entire class set for Mr. Jack's group of students. She is such a positive light at Franklin, everyone should get to know her!"
Adams Middle School
Student: Jackson Vincent-Fowler
Random Act of Kindness: Jackson is always the first to help others. Without asking or prompting, Jackson always tidies up the classroom. He makes sure materials are put away and that the floor is clean. Jackson is definitely deserving of some appreciation!
International Social Emotional Learning Day, March 8th
International Social Emotional Learning Day on March 8th is a way to celebrate the way SEL is “Today's Students, Tomorrow's Leaders.” Studies show SEL reduces stress and promotes self-regulation, self-awareness, social awareness, decision-making, and relationship building. Here are some specific examples of how SEL can positively impacts students:
- Higher levels of empathy
- Increased social confidence
- Better attitude about school
- More responsible decisions
- Better recognition of emotions
When your student is recognizing difficult emotions and would like help finding a mental health care provider for them, use Care Solace, a complimentary and confidential care coordination service provided by Wayne-Westland Community School District:
- Call 888-515-0595. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365.
- Visit caresolace.com/wwcsd and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
Our goal is for our students to have uplifted hearts and connected minds!International Social Emotional Learning Day on March 8th is a way to celebrate the way SEL is “Today's Students, Tomorrow's Leaders.” Studies show SEL reduces stress and promotes self-regulation, self-awareness, social awareness, decision-making, and relationship building. Here are some specific examples of how SEL can positively impacts students:
- Higher levels of empathy
- Increased social confidence
- Better attitude about school
- More responsible decisions
- Better recognition of emotions
When your student is recognizing difficult emotions and would like help finding a mental health care provider for them, use Care Solace, a complimentary and confidential care coordination service provided by Wayne-Westland Community School District:
- Call 888-515-0595. Multilingual support is available 24/7/365.
- Visit caresolace.com/wwcsd and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.
Our goal is for our students to have uplifted hearts and connected minds!
Wayne Rotary Presents Students with Dictionaries
Thank you to the Wayne Rotary for donating dictionaries to several of our elementary schools! Also, thank you to Wayne Police and Fire Departments for being on hand for the distribution!
College & Career Readiness & Social Emotional Learning TikTok Channel
Check out our College and Career Readiness & Social Emotional Learning Department TikTok, where we will feature some of the fantastic initiatives we have to support and prepare students and their families. Our latest video features our students in the Digital Photography and Media Class, as they become CAREER ready. Students are introduced to a variety of digital media used in fine art and commercial photography, social media marketing and website implementation.
To follow our CCR/SEL TikTok Channel, please scan the following QR code (TikTok will not work in school buildings, FYI) or search "WWCSD_CCR_SEL" in the search bar on TikTok (at the top).
Wayne-Westland Community Schools has a Family Resource Center (FRC), which provides services to any student/family enrolled in our District, free of cost. Some of the services they provide are: basic need assistance, access to over 700 local resources, Laundry Assistance Program and material items for those unable to afford them (emergency toiletries, socks/underwear, hats/gloves/scarves, etc.) They are also able to supply school supplies and backpacks year round for any WWCS student. Please contact our Family Resource Center at: 734-419-2709 or FRC@wwcsd.net. Our FRC also has a Digital Request for Services Form, which can be used to request assistance by filling out a simple form. Please contact the Family Resource Center directly with any additional questions regarding their services.
Classroom Activity Breaks to Support Social Emotional Learning
Taking a classroom activity break can be a great way to redirect attention and antsy behavior to a fun, interactive activity or game. These games can also be used at home. Sometimes all students need is a short opportunity to analyze their current situation, reflect and responsibly choose their next action. Physical activity breaks in the classroom provide students an opportunity to practice these skills, while increasing to energize the brain. Last month, we shared some different activity break ideas. We are adding to that list this month, with new activity break ideas. Please check out the links below!
Source: Source: InPACT at School
Upward Bound Happenings
Operation Opportunity
We hosted a virtual alumni panel with Operation Opportunity with several past participants, and it was wonderful to see our alumni dedication to WWCSD, as well as their success in the medical field.
Lastly, we are grateful that Upward Bound Seminar has a new home, Room 202. With increased participation in tutoring and events, as well as an ever-growing amount of supplies, we are fortunate that the supportive administration at Wayne was able to house us in a wonderful new classroom.