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How the Interconnected Systems Framework Transforms School Mental Health Support for Students
Effective mental health practices in schools are essential for student well-being. Still, without a solid, unified structure, they can fall short. When mental health interventions operate in isolation, they risk being inconsistent and less effective. For example, suppose counselors work independently without coordination with teachers or other staff. In that case, gaps in care can…
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Create a Safe and Supportive Environment to Improve Mental Health
When mental health is ultimately recognized as essential to physical health, not an extraneous element of it, then we will have access to true, complete, modern medicine.” – John Campo, 2017 Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in the U.S. since 1949. It is a significant opportunity to raise awareness about mental health issues,…
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How to Build a Suicide Prevention and Risk Management Program in Your School
It’s that time in Michigan. I’ve heard it lovingly referred to as fake spring. You know, the spring that comes before the third winter, only after which we finally arrive in actual Spring. The glorious time of year when the days get a bit longer and the weather a bit milder. Students (and many educators) can see the finish line and dial it in…
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Substance Abuse in Kent County: What Educators and Parents Need to Know
You might be aware of vaping, but what do you know about dab pens or pressed fentanyl pills? Do you know both are present in our communities and schools? In Kent County between 2021 and 2022, there were close to 200 drug overdose deaths. Opioids were involved in 77% of these overdose deaths. We read…
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Educators (Like You) Find Benefits in Practicing Social Emotional Learning
We often talk about social-emotional learning for students, but what about us? What about our social and emotional wellness? According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), social and emotional learning are integral parts of human development. Through this process, we develop healthy identities, learn to manage our emotions, achieve both personal…
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How Can School Leaders Engage Families? Easy, Make a Podcast.
After hosting parent nights and publishing a digital newsletter, Hudsonville Public Schools decided to take an innovative approach to engaging with their families. The process was surprisingly easy.
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Understanding and Healing Racial Trauma in Our Classrooms
February is known as Black History month. As we embrace and honor the rich, and sometimes painful, history of African Americans, we are forced to recognize that one month of recognition is not nearly enough time to dive into the contributions, teachings, and leadership of past, present and future Black leaders. Exploring Black History means recognizing…
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Create Buy-In for a Culturally Competent Education
Written by: Sommer Jabbar, Kent ISD Project Coordinator of Equity and Student Success Happy New Year! New year, new you- right? Or maybe, new year, better you. Let’s go with new year, better informed, and more knowledgeable you! In education it often seems that every school year we are asked to be a new you.…
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Create Simple Next Level SEL Check-Ins
Welcome back! As you start to get your class settled after break and a few snow days, have you checked-in on your students? Now is a great time to check-in with your students’ social- emotional health and learning (SEL). By doing an SEL check-in with your students it will provide both you and your students…
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How Leaders Can Cultivate Emotional Resilience
In October, you were introduced to the concept of mental health hygiene and how caring for your mental health can fall into different categories (remember the self-care wheel). This month I want to continue the conversation, but switch gears to what administrators can do to help teachers improve their mental health hygiene. Administrators can help…