2/3/23
Counseling Corner
Ms. Baker and Mr. Maddox, School Social Workers
Mrs. Koulentes, School Counselor
Mrs. Leverentz, School Psychologist
Depression is a multifaceted disorder that can occur at any time during a person’s life. Trauma, significant life changes, and stress can trigger the onset of depression. Recent nationwide mental health surveys have indicated that approximately 15% of teens aged 12-17 report having at least one depressive episode in the last year (Mental Health America, 2022). Depressive episodes may be marked by persistent sadness, discouragement, loss of self-worth, and loss of interest in usual activities.
Depression is different for every person, but a child suffering from depression may show multiple signs of the following:
Loss of interest in activities that they normally like to do Feelings of sadness or irritability
Feeling guilty or hopeless Feeling angry
Feeling tense or worrying a lot Crying a lot
Spending a lot of time alone A change in eating habits
Sleeping too much or too little Feeling tired
Having low energy or restless feelings Missing school
Having trouble paying attention Thinking of death or suicide
A small percentage of teens also suffer from seasonal depression or seasonal affective disorder. This disorder is a form of depression that appears at the same time each year. Typically a person experiences SAD in the winter months, but some people are affected during the summer. Children with a family history of depression and females, in general, are more likely to develop this disorder.
Doctors and mental health professionals can make a diagnosis of depression or SAD after careful evaluation. A medical checkup may be necessary to ensure that symptoms are not due to another medical condition that needs treatment. Counseling, medication, exercise, and light therapy are some treatments that may be recommended to help address symptoms of depression and seasonal affective disorder.
Simple at-home routines and self-care adjustments can also help support student mental health. The Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center has recommended 7 tips to help teens beat the seasonal blues:
1. Exposure to as much sunlight as possible. Encourage your student to take a walk outside or sit close to a window. Turning lights on in the house at night may even be helpful to keep students more alert during the evening hours.
2. Eat healthy foods to help improve your mood. Focus on vegetables, fruit, and proteins. Be careful with eating too many carbohydrates. Although carbohydrates are comforting while eating them, they may make students feel sluggish afterward.
3. Exercise can help prevent depression. Even short periods of exercise have been proven to help improve people’s moods. Find some free exercise classes on YouTube, bundle up, and go for a walk outside, check to see if the Recreation Center in the area has open gym times and your student can play basketball with some friends, etc.
4. Listen to some uplifting music. Encourage your student to create a playlist of upbeat music that puts them in a good mood.
5. Do something kind for others. The generosity of time and spirit can help improve a student’s mood and keep them motivated to participate in different activities.
6. Stay social. Encourage your student to remain social over the winter months. If exposure to illness is a concern, encourage your student to do things outside with friends or wear a mask.
7. Encourage your student to do hobbies and activities that they enjoy and find relaxing.
Please don’t hesitate to consult with your family doctor and private or school counseling staff if you worry that your child may be experiencing these challenges. It is powerful for students to know that they are not alone and that there is help available to support them in feeling better.
Valentine’s Day Staff Appreciation
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! We would love to express how thankful we are for our Colt’s staff by throwing them a Coffee and Candy Bar on Valentine’s Day!
Thanks a latte!
LINK TREE
SHS Math Circle
We are excited to announce that Stevenson is hosting our annual Math Circle on April 8 and 15 from 9 AM to 12 PM! The Math Circle is a great opportunity for students to explore math ideas, solve problems, and compete with their friends in a fun environment. In the past, guest speakers for the Math Circle have included Professor Po-Shen Loh and 3blue1brown, as well as Stevenson alumni with careers in mathematics. Registration costs $35, which covers a custom t-shirt and practice materials for the first 80 students that sign up using the link below. Historically, this number has been filled VERY fast, so we urge students and parents to sign up as soon as possible to ensure a spot at the Math Circle. The deadline to sign up is March 17. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Kim at [email protected].
Link: https://shsmathteam.com/stevenson-consortium-math-circle/
NEW *5Essentials Student Survey*
Beginning the week of February 6th, District 96 students in 4th-8th grade will be administered the Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This 25-minute survey is based on 20 years of research at the University of Chicago and asks students about their experiences in school with the purpose of providing school leaders with critical student input to help develop school improvement plans. Students’ identities will be completely confidential, and teachers and administrators will never see individual responses to survey questions and will only receive aggregated information.
Please be aware that under the Protection of Pupil Rights Act. 20 U.S.C. Section 1232(c) (1) (A), you have the right to review a copy of the questions asked of your student(s). Survey questions can be found on the UChicago Impact Support Center (https://impactsurveyshelp.force.com/s/article/illinois-5essentials-survey-questions).
If you do not want your child’s input to be considered for school improvement purposes, please contact Jessica Barnes at [email protected] by February 3rd.
NEW *5Essentials Survey for Parents/Guardians*
Beginning January 24 through April 2nd, District 96 invites you to share your thoughts on the inner workings of your child’s school. On behalf of the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be administered online by UChicago Impact at the University of Chicago.
As a parent, this opportunity will allow you to share your thoughts on the important elements of school effectiveness in a survey about your child’s school. Your participation will help us understand the conditions at your child’s school and guide our improvement. Parent identity and survey responses will be kept completely confidential and will never be connected to you or your child.
Please visit http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/ to begin the parent survey. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact UChicago Impact Client Services at 1-866-440-1874 or [email protected].
NEW *D96 Dual Language Program*
Do you have an entering kindergartner or know of a D96 resident who does? Are you interested in your child having a bilingual school experience?
The District 96 Spanish/English Dual Language Program was designed several years ago to implement instruction across the curriculum that provides an opportunity for students to develop a deep academic proficiency in two languages. In the Dual Language Program, 50 percent of the academic curriculum is delivered in Spanish, and 50 percent of the academic curriculum is delivered in English.
Families interested in enrolling their incoming kindergartners in the Spanish/English Dual Language Program can indicate so on the registration form while completing the kindergarten registration process that begins March 1, 2023. This process should be completed by April 15, 2023, to be entered into the Dual Language Lottery. Please note that indicating interest in the Dual Language Program does not guarantee acceptance into the Dual Language program.
Please visit our District 96 Website to learn more about the optional Spanish/English Dual Language Program (https://www.kcsd96.org/curriculum/dual-language) and our Dual Language Lottery (https://www.kcsd96.org/curriculum/dual-language-lottery).
**District 96 will be hosting a Virtual Parent Night at 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. on MARCH 8 for parents of incoming Kindergarten students who are interested in learning more about the Dual Language Program.**
PTO
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Daily Announcements
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