School Psychologist Newsletter
Self-care, Mental Health, & Community Resources
Welcome!
ASSET - Our Social Emotional Learning Curriculum at DMHS
This year may be interesting and challenging for a lot of reasons, and one thing that is very important to us is supporting all of our DMHS students in managing their stress. This year, we are implementing weekly social emotional learning lessons during advisement using a curriculum called ASSET. This program is designed to teach students stress-reduction techniques and improve emotional well-being through 3 modules: mindfulness, positive psychology, and positive self-talk. We encourage you to take a look at the free "At-Home Toolkit" to get a taste of what some of these tools look like!
Here are some video resources that will support your student in further developing the skills they have already learned about and practiced:
The Brain Science of Stress:
Learning Brain vs. Survival Brain (5mins)
Dr. Daniel Siegel - The “Hand Model” of the Brain (2mins)Deep Breathing Technique:
Triangle Breathing (1min)
Breathe in Breathe Out Bubble (2 mins)
Guided breathing video (3 mins)Mindful Body Scans:
FREE Meals for all kids during the week!
DPS received a waiver from the USDA this week to allow us to once again provide free breakfast and lunch meals to all kids 18 years and younger through Dec. 31. Families can pick up breakfast and lunch meals Monday through Friday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at curbside pickup sites throughout DPS. We’re also providing weekday meal delivery service to schools and community locations across the city. Yellow school buses will stop at each delivery site for 20 minutes to hand out breakfast and lunch meals.
Students do not need to be present for adults to pick up their meals, and families can visit any school site regardless of which school they attend. Breakfast and lunch meals for adults are also available for purchase at a small cost.
All families are encouraged to complete an application for meal benefits here. Please visit our Food Distribution site for the most up-to-date information.
DPS Resources
- Food Distribution: https://www.dpsk12.org/coronavirus/food-distribution/
- WIFI, Chromebooks, & Hotspots: https://www.dpsk12.org/coronavirus/family-resources/
- ClothesToKids Denver (contact Lauren for a referral): http://clothestokidsdenver.org/
COVID -19 Resources
- City of Denver Information & Resources: https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/covid-19.html
- Relief Support and Services: https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/covid-19/support-services.html
- Hunger Free Colorado: https://www.hungerfreecolorado.org/covid-19/
- Text FOOD or COMIDA to 877-877 to receive food distribution centers for kids 18 & up - DPS - COVID19 Health & Safety Resources: https://www.dpsk12.org/wp-content/uploads/COVID-19-Health-and-Safety-Resources_10-21.pdf
Mental Health Crisis Supports
*Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
*National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hour English and Spanish
1-800-273-8255
- *Colorado Crisis Services
Visit a walk-in center
Call 1-844-493-8255
Text "TALK" to 38255
- *Safe2Tell: For anonymously reporting safety concerns
1-877-542-7233
Or, download the Safe2Tell App
- *Trevor Project for LGBTQ youth that are suicidal (and for other LGBTQ youth resources)
1-866-488-7386
Text “START” to 678678
- CU Denver - $10 Counseling Sessions for DPS Students and Families
303-315-7270
- Second Wind Fund
- An organization that pays for up to 12 FREE therapy sessions for students experiencing suicidal ideation. Please contact Lauren, the school psychologist, if you think your child may qualify for this service.
Lauren Lyon, Ed.S., NCSP
School Psychologist
Denver Montessori Junior/Senior HS
Extras!
The Window of Tolerance We all have a different window of tolerance. How big or small is your window of tolerance? What experiences have you had that make your window the size that it is? | How to Feel your Feelings... It is actually healthy to feel your feelings! Many of us have learned that feelings and emotions are something to "get rid of" or to "try to control". If you are having big feelings, your mind is trying to tell you something! Try tuning in to your emotions and see what they might be trying to tell you. | Coping Skills - In English and Spanish Help improve your well-being and widen your window of tolerance by practicing healthy coping skills! |