Hello Panthers!

May is mental health awareness month! It's a great time to make sure your paying attention to yours and your students mental health.

Scroll through this months newsletter for great information about your health as well as some other good community info.

We hope that the information in this newsletter is useful. We’d love to hear from you if you have any feedback. Feel free to email us at any time.

Please remember there is an RN in the District daily. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. You can find more health related information on the school website. Go to Panthernet.net ,departments and select School Nurse.

Hopefully all of those April showers will bring May Flowers!

Jen and Tracie

Some of the early signs and symptoms of mental illness can include:

• Eating too much or to little

• Sleeping too much or to little

• Having low energy

• Feeling numb or like nothing matters

• Unexplained aches and pains

• Feeling of helplessness or hopelessness

• Using substances such as tobacco and alcohol more than usual

• Feeling confused, forgetful, on edge, worried, or scared

• Conflict with family members

• Severe mood swings that cause problems with relationships

• Persistent thoughts and memories you can’t let go of

• Hearing voices or believing in things that are not true

• Thinking of harming yourself or others

• Difficulty performing daily activities such as showering and going to work.

If you are struggling with these ongoing symptoms, it might be time to talk to your doctor.

If you are diagnosed with a mental health condition there are many tools and treatments out there for support. Some of these tips and strategies can help.

• Stick to your treatment plan

• Make sure to update your physician regularly

• Learn about your condition, knowledge is power

• Practice good self care

• Don’t go through it alone, reach out to family and friends

• Develop healthy coping skills

• Get enough sleep

• Eat well and get daily exercise.

We have seen ongoing issues with pink eye in our schools during the month of April. We are seeing both bacterial and viral pink eye. Pink eye is spread easily among children. Please reinforce good hand hygiene practices with your kiddos and keep them home if needed. Follow these guidelines regarding conjuctivitis (pink eye).

Please watch your child for the following symptoms. Conjunctivitis can be bacterial, viral or allergic, so it is very important to address symptoms. If your child has the symptoms below you should call their healthcare provider for guidance.

• Redness in the white of the eye or inner eyelid

• Increased amount of tears

• White, yellow or green eye discharge

• Itchy eyes

• Burning eyes

• Increased sensitivity to light

• Gritty feeling in the eye

Who We Serve

Stockbridge Community Outreach Association was established in the early 1980’s as a food pantry, crisis and referral center for the residents of Stockbridge Community School District. Many of our food programs require no registration and are offered to anyone who needs food.

Those needing help with utilities, rent, prescription costs or other basic needs can register as a client with Outreach. To become a client, Outreach needs proof of residency in the district and proof that income is less than 200% of the federal poverty level. Our clothing room is free to anyone—no registration required!

305 W. Elizabeth St, back parking lot off Cherry St.

(Old Middle School, Door #20)

Rooms 120 & 121

Stockbridge, MI 49285

Clothing Room- Outreach operates a free clothing and small household goods room where anyone is welcome to shop during our open hours

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Addressing Food Insecurity Throughout Stockbridge Community School Districtts.

One Big Connection is generously provided to our community through funding from the 5 Healthy Towns Wellness Coalitions, and content is provided by 5 Healthy Towns Foundation, 5 Healthy Towns Wellness Coalitions, Michigan Medicine, Chelsea Hospital, Washtenaw County Community Mental Health and many different partners and work groups.

https://www.onebigconnection.org/

200 Wood Street
P.O. Box 245
Stockbridge, Michigan 49285

517.851.7810

Mon: 10a.m. - 6p.m.
Tues: 10a.m. - 6p.m.
Wed: 10a.m. - 7p.m.
Thur: 10a.m. - 6p.m.
Fri: 10a.m. - 6p.m.
Sat: 10a.m. - 4p.m.

https://www.cadl.org/about/our-locations/stockbridge

Ingham County Community Mental Health
812 Jolly Rd Lansing MI 48910
517-346-8200

Jackson County Community Mental Health, Lifeways
1200 N W Ave Jackson MI 49202
1-800-284-8288

Livingston County Community Mental Health Services
2280 E Grand River Ave, Howell MI 48843
517-546-4126

Washtenaw County Community Mental Health
555 Towner Ypsilanti, MI 48198
734-544-3035

Jennifer Matthews, a Registered Nurse since 2011, has worked as community nurse for the last 8 years, Also has had an active role as a volunteer within the Jackson county foster care system. This included fostering 10 children in her home. Jen has a true passion for helping others realize their full potential, and helping individuals find their voice in regards to their health and the healthcare system. Jennifer can be found primarily at the Jr/SR High school, but you will see her floating around Smith and Heritage, as she is the district's full time RN.

Tracie Lentz, a Registered Nurse since 2011, works at the University of Michigan Hospital in the Adult Surgical ICU. Tracie has also worked at stockbridge schools off and on over the last 5 years providing nursing support. She has been an active member of the Panther Cubs PTO since 2016 and thrives on seeing the school community flourish. Tracie is employed part time and is seen mostly at Smith and Heritage schools. She does go to the Jr/Sr High school when needed.

Email: Jennifer Matthews matthewsj@panthernet.net

Tracie Lentz lentzt@panthernet.net
Website: panthernet.net
Location: 100 Price Road, Stockbridge, MI, USA
Phone: Jennifer 517-851-7770 6317