Details for Dragons

Spring break is quickly approaching and with that comes many fun events around the school that students are excited for. The student support team has continued classroom lessons supporting student's social, emotional, and mental health.

A parent–teacher conference is a great opportunity to:

• discuss your child's progress
• share your child's strengths and needs
• work with the teacher to help your child do well in school

TIPS FOR FAMILIES:

When families become partners with their child’s teachers, children are more successful.

Ask these questions at parent-conferences to help build that partnership. Time is limited, so pick 2-3 questions that are most important to you.

• How does my child learn? What are my child’s strengths?
• Is my child meeting current grade level expectations? (Ask about test and assessment scores)
  
• Are there areas where my child is struggling?
• Are these expectations for classroom participation? Is my child meeting them?
• Are there ways we can help at home with learning?
• What is the best way and time to communicate with you?

Additional topics you can discuss with the teacher:

• Skills that your child can work on during the summer
• Resources or community programs to support learning at home including: summer camp, afterschool programs or tutoring and mentoring programs

Mental Health is Health - this is something that us mental health professionals emphasize with families. Just as we care for our physical health, it's important to care for our mental health by learning how to handle uncomfortable emotions, work through conflict, and focus on positive self-talk. One example of how to understand what happens in our brains when we feel strong emotions is the "hand brain model". Here's a video that explains this:

At the most recent PTO meeting, parents expressed a desire to have more resources pertaining to mental health services. Communities Healing Adolescent Depression and Suicide (CHADS) is one option for counseling services. The Family Support Counseling Program provides targeted, short-term counseling support to children and adolescents who are struggling with symptoms of anxiety, depression, or suicidal ideation. CHADS licensed counselors and social workers utilize evidence-based Brief Solution-Focused Therapy interventions to help their clients set goals, develop coping skills, and find hope for the future.

Please click here for more information: https://www.chadscoalition.org/family-support

Kids Vision for Life will be at Mason on March 10th. They will be providing vision screenings for every student. Kids who need further examination will receive consent forms to take home.

As we move into the Spring, seasonal allergies are starting for some kids. Please be mindful of this if your kid normally takes medication at home to help with allergies.

The YMCA Literacy Program provides one hour tutoring sessions two days a week at a St. Louis Public Library location. Please call (314) 776-7102 for more information.

The library also has a free drop-in, first-come, first-served homework help program for K-12th grade students. For more information, please call (314) 241-2288.

Website: https://www.slps.org/Domain/1139
Location: 6031 Southwest Avenue, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: 314-645-1201