Welcome back to the Parent Outreach Team’s family newsletter! We are excited to share this resource with you as part of our ongoing effort to build strong, meaningful connections between home and school. Together, we can ensure every student thrives—both academically and emotionally—through open communication, active partnerships, and shared support.

In each edition, you’ll find helpful tips for supporting your child's success at home, updates on family events, and opportunities for you to get involved in our school community. We’ll also highlight available resources for families, such as mental health services, community resources, and programs that enhance your family’s well-being.

Our goal is to make this newsletter an essential guide to all things related to family engagement at Holly Area Schools. Whether it’s offering parenting tips and advice, showcasing success stories from our school community, or inviting you to join one of our upcoming family events, we hope this newsletter will help you feel more connected and supported.

We’re always looking for ways to improve, so if you have feedback or ideas on what you’d like to see, please let us know! Together, we can build the best possible environment for our students to succeed.

Thank you for being such an important part of our school community!

Warmly,
Cheryl Price and Sydney Sinclair, The Holly Area Schools Parent Outreach Team

Hello Holly Families,

My name is Trisha Crotteau and I am excited to join Holly Area Schools as the new Early Childhood Outreach Specialist.

I have spent many years in early education, as a GSRP Lead Teacher, Early On Services Coordinator, and most recently, with the Child Care Network as a Family Child Care Network Specialist.

I am excited to connect with Holly families through our early learning programs and look forward to supporting you as your children grow.

You can contact me by email: trisha.crotteau@hask12.org

Stay tuned for a monthly update from our Early Childhood Programs!

Welcome back to the Family Wellness Spotlight, a recurring series where we’ll explore key insights from various sources on parenting best practices! Currently, we are reading the book Raising Good Humans by Hunter Clarke-Fields. Over the coming months, we’ll dive into practical strategies from the book to help cultivate mindful parenting, strengthen family relationships, and raise kind, confident children. Join us as we unpack these lessons and apply them to everyday life!

In this edition of our spotlight, we explore how to understand and disarm our own triggers. “The best predictor of a child’s well-being is the parent’s self-understanding,” says Dr. Dan Siegel, as quoted in Raising Good Humans by Hunter Clarke-Field. This profound insight underscores the importance of self-awareness in our parenting journey. It’s easy to focus on managing our children’s behavior, but much of our reactivity stems from unresolved issues within ourselves. When a child’s actions provoke a strong emotional response, it often reveals deeper feelings—perhaps about not being heard, respected, or valued—that trace back to our own childhood experiences. Recognizing these triggers offers an opportunity for healing and growth, allowing us to break cycles of reactive parenting.

Parenting is not about perfection but progress. As Clarke-Field reminds us, “When we understand why we are so reactive—what old patterns and wounds are being triggered for us—we can begin to heal and choose a different way of being.” This mindful shift helps us model emotional regulation for our children, fostering their emotional intelligence. Taking small, consistent steps—like practicing meditation or reframing moments of anger as opportunities to pause—can make a significant difference. Remember, it’s okay to parent with a mix of awareness and instinct. Every effort toward greater self-understanding benefits both you and your child.

Finally, self-care is a cornerstone of calm and connected parenting. “When we’re not meeting our own needs, we have nothing to give,” Clarke-Field writes. Prioritizing sleep, exercise, and moments of relaxation replenishes our emotional reserves, enabling us to approach parenting challenges with empathy and patience. By living what we want our children to learn—healthy boundaries, self-compassion, and resilience—we offer them not just guidance, but a powerful example of how to navigate life with grace.

Thank you to all of the families who attended our Mental Health Resource Fair!

Below is a list of all the agencies who hosted a table at our event. They are always willing and able to partner with families in support of mental health!

• Balance Life Counseling
• Common Ground Crisis & Resource Helpline
• Giesken Counseling Services
• Holly Area Community Coalition
• Holly Area Youth Assistance
• HAS Early Childhood Program
• HAS Special Education PAC
• Holly HS Counseling
• Holly MS Counseling
• LifeStance Health
• New Oakland Family Centers
• Oakland Community Health Network
• Oakland County Health Division
• Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency
• Pure Psychiatry of Michigan

See the message below from Pure Psychiatry of Michigan about the impact of gratitude!

Thank you to all of the families who attended our Raising a Child with Anxiety and Depression Workshop hosted by EasterSeals! We were so happy to learn alongside you.

If you are looking for information from our workshop, check out the slides below!

We will be partnering with our HAS Early Childhood Programs for a December event - more information to come.

Stay tuned for more events in the in the new year!

In an effort to ease the burden of finding the mental health and substance use services you need, Holly Area Schools has formed a new partnership with Care Solace, your central hub of care.

With a network of over 350,000 providers and services, Care Solace will help you find the right help at the right time, 24/7/365, at no cost to you. They will connect you with providers accepting all medical insurances, including Medicaid, Medicare, and sliding scale options for those without insurance.

You can access Care Solace services in three ways:

1. Call 888-515-0595 to connect with a Care Companion who will guide you through the process
2. Search anonymously to get matched with an extensive list of care providers here
3. Contact your school counselor or social worker and they will submit a referral on your behalf

Please reach out to Cheryl Price with any questions: 248-328-3230, cheryl.price@hask12.org

Click the link below to apply!

Listen to therapists from Ellie Mental Health in Clarkston explore common stressors for parents & share practical stress-relief tips.

Learn how to:

• balance personal needs with parenting demands
• model healthy stress management
• set realistic expectations to reduce guilt

You’re not alone - listen for actionable advice and relatable conversations!

Click the link below to access the podcast!

The holiday season, while often filled with joy and connection, can also bring stress, fatigue, and emotional challenges. Prioritizing mental wellness during this time is essential to maintaining balance and enjoying the festivities. Start by setting realistic expectations for yourself and others. It’s okay to say no to invitations or tasks that feel overwhelming, and it’s important to focus on what matters most to you and your family. Simplify where possible—whether that means scaling back on decorations or delegating responsibilities—and allow yourself to embrace imperfections.

Another critical aspect of mental wellness during the holidays is taking time for self-care. Amidst the busy schedule of shopping, cooking, and socializing, carve out moments to relax and recharge. This might include engaging in activities that bring you joy, such as reading, walking, or practicing mindfulness. Maintaining a routine with proper sleep, balanced meals, and regular exercise can also help reduce stress and boost mood. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling emotionally, don’t hesitate to reach out for support from friends, family, or a mental health professional.

Lastly, remember that the holidays can be a time of mixed emotions, especially for those who have experienced loss or are facing challenges. Allow yourself to feel and process these emotions, and find ways to honor your feelings, such as journaling or creating new traditions. Focusing on gratitude and staying present in small, meaningful moments can also help foster a sense of peace and connection during the season. By being kind to yourself and prioritizing your mental wellness, you can create a holiday experience that feels more manageable and fulfilling.

Welcome back to the Health and Safety section of our newsletter! This section focuses on adolescent physical health, covering topics like nutrition, exercise, and the impact of substances on growing bodies. Our aim is to provide families with valuable information to support the health and well-being of our youth.

This month we want to share some information on the impacts of alcohol use on our young people. Underage drinking poses serious risks to the health and development of adolescents. According to the CDC, alcohol is the most commonly used substance among youth in the United States, with nearly 30% of high school students reporting they have consumed alcohol in the past month. Alcohol use during adolescence can disrupt brain development, impair judgment, and increase the likelihood of risky behaviors, including drunk driving. Long-term consequences include an increased risk of developing alcohol dependence and health issues like liver damage and heart problems. Adolescents who start drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol addiction later in life compared to those who wait until adulthood.

Parents and guardians play a pivotal role in preventing underage drinking. Open, honest communication is key. Start by discussing the health risks and legal consequences of underage drinking, and make it clear that your priority is their safety. Encourage your child to share their thoughts and experiences, listening without judgment to foster trust. Set clear family rules about alcohol use and explain the reasons behind them. Finally, model healthy behaviors and avoid glorifying alcohol use at home. By staying engaged and proactive, you can help your child navigate peer pressure and make responsible choices.

Click the pictures below to learn more about the impacts of alcohol use and how to talk to your kids about it!

Please reach out to Sydney Sinclair with any questions: 248-328-3417, sydney.sinclair@hask12.org

Attending school every day is essential for academic success and well-being. Students who attend regularly are more likely to stay on track in their classes, build strong relationships, and develop important life skills. Research shows that students who miss just two days per month (about 18 days per year) are significantly more at risk of falling behind and facing challenges from kindergarten through high school graduation.

In fact, chronic absenteeism can lead to a decrease in literacy skills in the early years and lower graduation rates in high school.

We want to partner with you to support positive attendance for every student! If you need assistance with transportation, morning routines, or other concerns, please reach out to your child’s school counselor or social worker—they’re here to help.

Remember: Every Day Counts, Every Broncho Matters!

Check out the information from Attendance Works below!

Let us know your thoughts and what you want to hear about next!

At Holly Area Schools we believe that families aren't just a part of our team, but the heart of it. Thank you for partnering with us in support of your students!

Cheryl Price: 248-328-3230, cheryl.price@hask12.org

Sydney Sinclair: 248-328-3417, sydney.sinclair@hask12.org