S.O.S. Care Inbox

Summer is often a time for vacations, slowing down and enjoying time away from day to day stressors. We encourage you to take time to relax this summer. Consider unplugging from technology and connecting with nature — taking a walk or sitting under a tree and just “being” in nature. Connect with your loved ones, including your pets. Resting your body and mind can benefit your health, reduce your stress levels, help you feel better and renew your energy, so give yourself grace to take a break!

Recently, we meet with Judge Lang and her team. I was so impressed with her/their approach to our children and young adults who are involved with the Juvenile court system. Her and her team are working on more of a holistic approach when it comes to dealing with the issues that come up in the juvenile courts. There seems to be more of a transformative approach, examples of this is finding resources for adolescents, supporting families, and getting down to the "why" of it all. While there is a punitive aspect to the courts, Judge Lang is trying to educate not just punish our youth. Another quality that impressed me was despite her busyness, she still took time out to listen to community members. Thank you also to her team Mattie, Anthony, and Allison.

Summitted Anonymously.

The S.O.S Committee will be holding drawings for gift card prizes to those who submit their Kudos for our newsletter. Please consider supporting your fellow community members by using the Kudos file below to create a note for those who deserve encouragement, acknowledgement and thanks.

Thank you for sharing your pet photos!

We are asking you to please contribute to our fall edition by sharing childhood photos of yourself dressed in your Halloween Costume. Please send your photos to Brittany Collins, bcollins@newarkcityschools.org by September 18.

This is Jessica Toth’s cat, Fievel! He’s a flame point Siamese.

Rizzo, Rey and Elphaba Friel enjoying the fire.

Riki Vandagriff’s puppy who just turned 1 in May! Her name is Chantilly Lace, they call her Tilly.

Because it was colt outside.

Because they live in the meow.

I love relaxing with some sand paper. It really takes the edge off!

A patient in the dentist’s chair was quite apprehensive about the procedure he was going to undergo and asked a lot of questions. The dentist reassuringly says, “Relax, it’s not brain surgery…. Unless I slip.”

I come in different shapes and sizes. Parts of me are curved, other parts are straight. You can put me anywhere you like, but there is only one right place for me. What am I?

• Members: Sylvia Friel, Kay Spergel, Kelsey Weisenstein, Ronni Bowyer, Ashley Washburn, Tiffany Myers, Kathleen Burkhard, Jennifer Kasson, Courtney Stires and Brittany Collins.

Committee Email Contact: Sylvia.friel@jfs.ohio.gov