Susan H Nelson Newsletter

Happy Sunday!

It's hard to believe it's almost November!! The school year is well underway, and I hope it's going well for you and your family!

I just wanted to encourage all of you as we are knee-deep in the school year to HANG IN THERE and keep on keeping on with your studies! Your hard work WILL PAY OFF!!

As I mentioned last week, the INDEPENDENT part of INDEPENDENT studies can be the most difficult part of your time at SHNS! Like last week, I encourage you to connect with your teacher and get the help that you need--either through emails and texts or actually coming in to meet! The time spent "in person" with your teacher can be extremely valuable.

Another thing I'd like all of us to keep in mind as we participate in an Independent Studies school is the many different effects of social media on mental health. I bring this up because in reviewing applications for Susan Nelson, many families have noted the role of anxiety in looking for a different educational environment for their children.

In May 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, issued a General Advisory about "Social Media and Youth Mental Health". The advisory says that while there are positive aspects of social media there are also areas of concern. Some of the positive things about social media are: a place for youth to form/maintain friendships online and develop social connections, a safe space to look for help in tough times, and opportunities to express creativity.

On the negative side, a recent study cited in the Advisory found that "adolescents who spent more than 3 hours per day on social media faced double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes including symptoms of depression and anxiety". The Advisory also notes that the average 10th grader in the U.S. already spends 3.5 hours per day on social media.

Reading that outcome and knowing that a chunk of our families come to Susan Nelson due to concerns about anxiety at school, I felt that I had to at least bring this up in one of our newsletters.

In a school such as ours where most of the student time is spent at home, it might stand to reason that students are also--or possibly COULD BE---on social media more each day. If that's the case, then there could also be the possibility of increased anxiety and depression. And that's EXACTLY the opposite of what our families (and students themselves) actually want.

I'm not an expert on the effects of social media, and I DO HAVE SOCIAL MEDIA myself, so I'm not someone who is advocating that we do away with it. I just wanted to make sure that families had the opportunity to hear a warning from the nation's "top doctor" about some possible negative effects of excessive time on social media. Check out the linked "Advisory" (above) and see what you think.

At the end of the "Advisory" there are several sections about what each of us can do as this subject continues to be studied.

Some of the take-aways for parents are:

-Create a family media plan (expectations about healthy boundaries of media use)

-Create tech-free zones and encourage children to foster in-person friendships

-Model responsible social media behavior

-Teach kids about technology and empower them to be responsible online participants at the

appropriate age

-Report cyberbullying and online abuse and exploitation

Some of the take-aways for Children and Adolescents are:

-Reach out for help if they are being negatively impacted by social media

-Create boundaries to help balance online and offline activities

-Develop protective strategies and healthy online practices

-Be cautious about what is shared

-Protect yourself and others (don't keep online harassment or abuse a secret)

-And...don't take part in online harassment or abuse

I'm a parent just like you are...and I care for all our students and want the best for them in an age that is completely different than the one I grew up in!!!

The Surgeon General mentions in his Advisory that although the research into the effects of social media is ongoing, our kids are GROWING UP NOW! And we can't afford to just wait for the results of studies that might take years to complete. The bottom line is that there is enough evidence that parents should start to take action now--if they haven't already!

My advice is probably what you're already doing: be aware of what our kids are doing online, setting some boundaries for their online activities, and realizing that although there may be some big advantages to social media use, there are also equally big downsides to our kids' participation in the online world. And young people may not always be able to recognize the differences between something that is healthy--and something that isn't. Which is why they have parents, guardians and extended family (like you!) to help them out!

Thanks for reading!!

Sincerely,

David Schlottman

Principal

PS: If you haven't done so already, please take the annual TVUSD Parent/Family Survey linked below! We really want to hear from you: what works, what doesn't, and how we can serve you and your children better as a district! - D

💭 TVUSD Wants to Hear From You!

Every year, we ask our TVUSD families to complete a brief survey. The survey, which will run from October 16th through November 3rd, assists the governing board and district as we strive to continue to provide high-quality, rigorous learning experiences that meet the needs of all our learners, and prepare students for college and career readiness.

Come to the Dollars For Scholars Application Information Night!! November 4, 2023 6:00PM @ TVUSD District Office

From Wetumka, Oklahoma, to the final frontier, John Herrington has been everywhere. John grew up to be a U.S. Naval aviator and an astronaut for NASA. He became the first enrolled citizen of a First American tribe to fly in space.

From small beginnings he went on to conquer formations on Earth and then braved the solitude of space. Very proud of his background, John carried the Chickasaw Nation flag on his 13-day trip in space. Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby presented the flag to Herrington for his flight.

Born in 1958, Herrington’s coming-of-age story happened during the golden years of space exploration. This formed his desire to venture into space and be a part of something special.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in 1983. He then received his commission into the U.S. Navy in 1984.

After excelling in the Navy, Herrington reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1996. There he completed two years of training and evaluation before being qualified for flight assignment as a mission specialist. His voyage began Nov. 23, 2002, to deliver a new crew to the International Space Station.

During his career, he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbons. Herrington retired from the Navy and NASA in July 2005.

After retiring, John began to work hard elsewhere. In 2008, he took part in a cross-country bicycle ride from Cape Flattery, Washington, to Cape Canaveral, Florida. Now he spends much of his free time serving as a motivational speaker to young people, encouraging them to continue their pursuit of excellence in education.

He is a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation, and is glad to share his story and his tribal background with anyone and everyone who will listen.

The Importance of Starting Your College Search in Junior Year

Transitioning from high school to college is a significant life milestone that benefits from early preparation. Despite the seeming prematurity, beginning a comprehensive college search during your junior year of high school is crucial. This proactive approach not only streamlines the application process but also enhances your chances of discovering the ideal college fit.

Junior year offers a valuable window to explore your interests and career aspirations. It facilitates the evaluation of your college preferences, including major, campus size, location, and culture, thereby aiding informed decisions for your future.

Junior year is also pivotal for ensuring you meet college admission requirements. Commencing the college search early permits planning of senior-year courses aligned with your desired major. Addressing academic weaknesses, considering extra courses, or seeking tutoring can significantly enhance your academic credentials.

Creating a well-balanced list of prospective colleges is a critical aspect of the college search. Starting in junior year enables thorough research, allowing you to identify colleges matching your academic and personal preferences.

Standardized Testing and Test Prep: Standardized tests, like the SAT or ACT, are often essential for college applications. Initiating your college search during junior year provides ample time for test planning and preparation. You can take practice tests, enroll in test prep courses, and retake exams if necessary, increasing the likelihood of stronger application profiles and access to a broader range of colleges.

The Susan Nelson High School Guidance Department emailed a power point presentation to all juniors and their parents/guardians this past week. The power point is titled: MASTERING THE COLLEGE SEARCH PROCESS and is a must read for all juniors who are planning on attending a four-year college or university directly after high school, or attending a two-year college, then transferring to a four-year college or university.

Juniors and their parents/guardians are encouraged to view the power point then schedule an appointment with Mr. Blanchfield, counselor, to discuss their college search process in depth. In order to schedule an appointment, simply go to Mr. Blanchfield’s appointment scheduler at http://www.calendly.com/dblanchfield and schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience.

Dan Blanchfield

Counselor, Susan H. Nelson Independent Study High School

(951) 695-7360 ext. 24605

David Schlottman - Sparkman Alternative Education Center Principal - 951-695-7320

Gloria Dixon - Susan H Nelson Secretary -951-695-7360

Laura Witz - TDAP - 951-294-6512

32225 Pio Pico Rd. Temecula, CA 92592

Susan H Nelson School