Happy Sunday!

As we head into Fall and the weather changes it reminds me of how quickly our own moods (and the moods of our children) can change! Just a few weeks ago it was 100 degrees….and now, it’s cool and 72 degrees—with some light rain! Our moods are sometimes just like the weather in how quickly they change!

Of course, it’s a good lesson in itself that things that we are experiencing RIGHT NOW can change in (relatively) little time. One day we’re doing all we can to stay indoors with AC and the next (relatively speaking) we’re soaking up the rain and (with cooler weather) putting on a sweater. One day we’re all stressed about something we’re going through and the next (or within a small period of time) we’re on to the next thing and have (almost) forgotten all about that LAST THING we couldn’t stop thinking about. I guess that’s what it is to be human.

Our children (and sometimes us!!) don’t always have that “long view” that today’s difficulties will soon be replaced by something different (and hopefully better). As we get older we learn that life has its seasons…it has its ups and downs, and that as we get new skills to deal with life’s stressors, we find new ways to cope and new reasons to believe that hope is right around the corner.

I guess that’s called resilience. And resilience is something that we all need to have to be successful—not just in school but in LIFE!

I’ve read resiliency studies (from the field of education) that suggest that if young people have just one adult person to whom they can confide what they’re going through (emotionally, socially, physically) that they report less stress, more stability, and feel more connected to the idea that hope and better days are ahead.

Every family is different, but a lot of times that one person is you—or some other adult in your family or extended family! I know from my own experience with my own kids (especially as they were teenagers) that sometimes I was in and out of “being that one person”! Sometimes it was my wife…sometimes it was neither of us! Gratefully, that wasn’t most of the time!! My point is that trusted adults can have a big impact on how our children weather the storms of life. And a lot of time, an adult in the family (be it mom & dad or an older sibling or an aunt or uncle) can be THAT person. The important thing is that they have that person!!

The school doesn’t take the place of the family. We do our best, however, to provide different people who students can talk to, and to help them get through some of the tough times, and to feel connected.

Two of our staff that help a lot students are:

Gina Siez, School Social Worker. (rsiez@tvusd.us)

Kristen Rice, School Counselor (krice1@tuvsd.us)

Both Ms. Siez and Ms. Rice work with students everyday. Some students who need extra support check in with them every morning before going to class. And, of course, they see students and help kids all day long. If your student needs extra support Ms. Siez and Ms. Rice are important connections to make here at school. Feel free to reach out to them.

Additionally, as part of our school schedule, we have a shortened day on Wednesdays, that includes a 45 minute long “Coaching Class”. Each student (including yours) is assigned to a teacher for that 45 minute period who acts as a “Coach”. (Students were given an opportunity to choose their “Coach” at the beginning of the school year—and most received the Coach of their choice). In addition to facilitating school announcements and guiding students through discussions of school wide interest, the Coach also acts as a resource to your child if she/he has questions about their schedule, their attendance, or has other concerns that they’d like answers to. We all know that we can’t force a connection to develop between any two people, but this “Coach” could also be a trusted adult here at school! And the more trusted adults—the better!

Most of our students know Ms. Siez and Ms. Rice, and they certainly know their Coach! But we wanted to make sure that you know about them, too! They are invaluable in working with our students to help them thrive “as the weather changes”; and are excellent resources to assist in their development into resilient young adults!!! And resilient young adults make for successful young adults!

Here’s to a great week ahead!

David Schlottman

Principal

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  951-294-6302