2/2/24
Upcoming Dates:
2/16- Half Day 11:10 AM Dismissal
2/19- No School
2/27- Early Release 1:30 PM Dismissal
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 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.
6th Grade Dental Forms Needed
Dear Parents/Guardians of District 96 6th Grade Students:
Please note that your child’s completed dental examination is now due, per Illinois school law. The deadline for the dental examination is no later than May 15 of the current school year. Proof of this required dental examination must have been completed within eighteen months prior to the May 15 deadline.
If you haven’t already done so, please make an appointment with your child’s dentist for a dental examination, have him and/or her complete the required form, and return it to your child’s school nurse.
State of Illinois Proof of Dental Examination Form
In the event that you are unable to fulfill this requirement, the state of Illinois does permit a waiver of the examination.
State of Illinois Dental Waiver Form
Dental examination forms, as well as dental waiver forms, can be downloaded from the District’s website.
If you have any questions, please contact Cindy Borzych at [email protected] or call the Twin Groves office at 847-821-8946.
Thank you for your prompt cooperation.
NEW *5Essentials Student Survey*
Beginning the week of February 12th, District 96 students in 4th-8th grade will be administered the Illinois 5Essentials Survey. This 25-minute survey is based on over 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 at the UChicago Impact Support Center. (https://impactsurveys.my.site.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 9th.
NEW *5Essentials Survey for Parents/Guardians*
Beginning January 30th through March 29th, 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].
Registered Yet? Addressing Toxic Achievement Culture
On February 7, District 96 co-hosts the Parent Network Program "Addressing Toxic Achievement Culture." This session features author Jennifer Wallace talking about how we can "teach our kids to strive toward excellence without crushing them.”
This virtual session begins at 7 p.m.
To register, visit http://tinyurl.com/VAPLDToxicAchievementCulture.
This session is hosted in collaboration with District 102, District 103, and District 125, and the Vernon Area Library.
Daily Announcements
Please see the Twin Groves website for up-to-date school announcements. The announcements let you know what exciting activities and clubs are going on at Twin Groves. Please click HERE to access the Daily Announcements.
Twin Groves Athletics
Please click HERE to access the Twin Groves Athletics site.
This site will be updated frequently.