
Stress Less!
April 2025
April is Stress Awareness Month, a time to recognize the impact that stress has on our lives and take steps to manage it effectively. Learning to cope with our stress and finding healthy ways to deal with these situations can go a long way in living a healthy and positive life!
Stand Up to Stress!
The National Institute of Mental Health offers a free coloring and activity book for kids ages 8-12 that teaches children about stress and anxiety and recommends healthy tips for coping.
Self-Love Rainbow has a free mandala to color for stress relief. Invite peace and creativity into your life through this meditative activity.
Summer Programs 🌞
Honolulu Family's 2025 Summer Programs Guide
https://www.honolulumagazine.com/summer-programs-guide-hawaii/
Plan ahead if you want your kids to get spots in the summer programs of their choice.
Brush up on art, enhance your academics, or learn how to play an instrument or a new sport this summer.
Parks and Recreation Summer Fun Program
https://www.honolulu.gov/index.php/cms-dpr-menu/site-dpr-sitearticles/1761-summer-fun.html/
The 2025 Summer Fun Program will be offered on weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. from June 9 through July 25 (not including holidays on June 11 and July 4). Please refer to website for registration dates.
Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow! 🎓
FINISH STRONG!
We are already in the 4th quarter of school, can you believe it? Let's work together to FINISH STRONG! Here are some tips to support your family’s attendance journey:
Set Clear Expectations: Establish a family expectation that school attendance is a priority, similar to other important commitments.
Establish Routines: Create a consistent bedtime routine to ensure children are well-rested for school and prepare school supplies and outfits the night before to reduce morning stress.
Open Communication: Maintain regular contact with teachers and school administrators. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you’re facing challenges that impact attendance.
Manage Health Issues: Develop a plan with healthcare providers to manage chronic illnesses and minimize absences.
Transportation: Ensure reliable transportation to and from school.
Family Time: Schedule fun family activities on days when there is no school to make attendance more desirable.
Set Goals: Help your child set attendance goals and track their progress.
Encourage Responsibility: Discuss the consequences of missing school and the importance of being accountable.
Remember: Consistent and supportive communication with the school is key to addressing attendance issues effectively. If you’re facing significant challenges, don’t hesitate to seek additional support from school counselors, social workers, or community organizations.
This newsletter is a joint collaboration of the DOE Central District's School Social Workers and Human Services Professionals. The purpose is to highlight information that you may find useful, and does not serve as a comprehensive list. We do not endorse any specific organization. Mahalo!