Wellness Wednesday: #Tools2Thrive

Do You Know Your Tools 2 Thrive?

While 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health.

The good news is there are practical tools that everyone can use to improve their mental health and increase resiliency - and there are ways that everyone can be supportive of friends, family, and co-workers who are struggling with life’s challenges or their mental health.

This May is Mental Health Month and we will be highlighting #Tools2Thrive - exploring topics that can help you build your own set of #Tools2Thrive - recognizing and owning your feelings; creating healthy routines; and supporting others - all as ways to boost the mental health and general wellness of you and your loved ones.

Self-Care Tip:
One of the easiest tools anyone can use is taking a mental health screen at mhascreening.org when they need answers.

It’s a quick, free, and private way for people to assess their mental health and recognize signs of mental health concerns.

Kindness Challenge:
Write a letter by hand to someone who’s made a difference in your life. Showing gratitude is good for your wellness, as well as the wellness of those you interact with.

Need to check-in with your counselor? Our emails can be found here:

https://suhicounseling.blogspot.com/p/staff.html

Most recent updates from the counseling center:www.SUHiCounseling.com

More information on Mental Health Month:https://www.mhanational.org/mental-health-month

Click here for SUHSD Covid-19 updates:http://www.sweetwaterschools.org/covid-19-information/

Let's keep in touch via social media using #BeWellRedDevils. We'd love to see your wellness activities!

Take care Red Devils,
SUHi Counselors

Thrively for Freshman

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Attention Freshman! The Sweetwater Union High School District is providing a dynamic program for our 9th grade students to help find their passion in life and hone in on their career goals. @thrive.ly a web based program, will help you gain interests information regarding your character strengths and get a more detailed view of your potential career interests. In order to prepare for our Thrively lesson, we are asking all 9th graders to complete the Thrively Pre-Survey, link is in our profile. Thank you!

A post shared by SUHi Counseling Ctr (@suhicounseling) on Apr 27, 2020 at 3:42pm PDT

Link to survey here: https://forms.gle/3uivFmLeapT8Gc586

College Search Tools

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Juniors and sophomores! The counselors are sending you some resources to help you search for colleges and other post-secondary options! These are great websites to use! Check your email for more details! @cappex @collegeboard @racc_enroll

A post shared by SUHi Counseling Ctr (@suhicounseling) on Apr 27, 2020 at 3:37pm PDT

SUHi Counseling Distance Learning Updates - April 27th

Senior Updates from SUHi Counseling

Hi Red Devils! It's your SUHi Counselors dropping by to say hello!

Our hope is that you and your family are well and in good spirits.  As the end of the school year nears, we would like to encourage students to continue to do well in all your classes.  

We understand distance learning can have some challenges, so it’s important that you maintain contact with all your teachers, they are always available to support you, and counselors continue to be available to all students/parents who have any questions or concerns. 

You may have already heard that our district recently adjusted graduation requirements for the class of 2020. This adjustment is not meant to affect the graduation status of any senior.  If we discover any issue connected to this change, your counselor will personally reach out to you. 

  

In addition, we would also like to encourage all seniors to take a minute to answer a few questions on our SUHi Counseling Senior Exit Questionnaire which is linked below.  

By filling out this questionnaire you will have a chance to sign-up for our Virtual Signing Day activities. We plan to recognize the awesome accomplishments and commitments you all have worked toward in the last few years.

The deadline to fill out the SUHi Counseling Senior Exit Questionnaire will be MAY 11th.  

SUHi Counseling Senior Exit Questionnaire:   https://forms.gle/JEX7tguvuQ1KfaPQ9

IMPORTANT REMINDERS :

*MAY 1st: Deadline to submit your intent to enroll for seniors who have been accepted to a 4 year university.  

*If you have not completed your FAFSA/Dream Act, it is NOT too late to submit.    

For FAFSA: https://studentaid.gov   or   For CA Dream Act:  dream.csac.ca.gov

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your counselor with any questions or concerns.

Student Last Name	Assigned Counselor	Phone Number
A – CAM	Brenda.Chavez-Casas@sweetwaterschools.org	619-474-9721
CAN - FER	Nancy.Garcia@sweetwaterschools.org	619-474-9754
FES - HERN	Marivel.Arroyo@sweetwaterschools.org	619-474-9733
HERO - MEN	Marco.Garcia@sweetwaterschools.org	619-474-9723
MEO - PL	Christine.Barragan@sweetwaterschools.org (sub. for Eleina.Vallejo-Paez@sweetwaterschools.org)	619-474-9722
PM - SAN	Lysabeth.Luansing-Garcia@sweetwaterschools.org	619-474-9771
SAO - Z	Michael.Briney@sweetwaterschools.org	619-474-9719

Once a Red Devil, Always a Red Devil!

Your SUHi Counselors

SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH IS A CIVIL RIGHT CONTEST

California Association of School Counselors are launching a contest to provide a platform for students to express their feelings about mental health services in school. Students can submit essays, poetry, visual art, songs, videos, or any form of expression. 

Here are some ideas and facts to guide your creations. 

You can also answer this guiding question: 

Why/How is mental health and well-being critical to student success?

• Discuss your thoughts or feelings on school closures and their impact on student mental health, stress, and trauma.
• If the California legislature reopens soon, lawmakers will vote on ACR 172 to declare May 4-8 Student Mental Health Week. This is historic, but not enough. Review the language of the legislation. Share your thoughts or creative interpretation of it.
• California is 48th in the nation when comes to access to school counselors. Here there is only one counselor for every 600 students although experts recommend at least one counselor for every 250 students. Almost 400,000 California students are in schools that lack a counselor but have a police officer. How does this limited counselor access impact students?
• California’s students are among the least likely in the nation to have a social worker in their school. Currently, there are over twice as many police in schools as social workers in California.
• Most of California’s schools do not have a full-time nurse. California has more security guards in schools than nurses who provide physical and mental health support. Thoughts? 
• Many California school psychologist serve over 1,000 students. As a result, many students are not able to receive the supports, interventions, testing/assessments, and more that they deserve.
• Our recent report published with youth leaders found over 40% of school districts are illegally spending money on police and security that should spend on staff like counselors and nurses. Thoughts?

Entries will be publicized on social media and will be shared with the public, including with CA education leaders.

DIRECTIONS: Email your entry to acluca.yls@gmail.com by 8pm on Friday, May 1st. Winners will be announced by May 5th and will be welcome to join us in a Zoom meeting/webinar on May 8th at 11:00 AM.

PRIZES: Amazon gift cards ranging from $50 to $100.

RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS

• California Department of Education Resources for Student Mental Health
• Student Wellness Resources
• COVID19 Guide for Students and Parents
• #CREATEATHOME resources to create art at home
• Crisis Text Line- Need some support? Text “Home” to 741741. It lets you connect with a trained crisis counselor without having to talk on the phone.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness- They’ve put together a helpful PDF guide with coronavirus-related questions and resources.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline- Call 800-273-8255 or text “Hope” to 916-668-ICAN. They offer free, confidential 24/7 help.
• Covid19K-12counseling.org

Summer Paid Training Program

Wellness Wednesday: Reflect What You Desire

Happy Wellness Wednesday Red Devils!

Virtual high fives to everyone for our first week of distance learning. These times are a testament to our ability to be flexible and resilient! We are all doing the best we can! We appreciate you Red Devils!

Feeling good about the future is important for our happiness. Although much of the future is unknown right now, you do have control over some aspects of your life, like creating goals for yourself.

We all need goals to motivate us and these need to be challenging enough to excite us and keep us going every day.

Choosing ambitious but realistic goals gives our lives direction and brings a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when we achieve them.

How to get started? Here is a great guide to create your wellness vision and goal setting:
shorturl.at/msIM5
Feeling lost? Reach out to your counselor and we can help guide you!

Self-Care Tip:Make a list of three goals for the next few weeks and the steps you can take to achieve them.

Kindness Challenge:Create a poster with an uplifting saying and post it on social media. Tag @SUHiCounseling and use #BeWellRedDevils

If you haven’t competed the Counselor Student Check-in Survey, please do so: https://forms.gle/zWYRKgUHwHYgS6ud6

Click here for SUHSD Covid-19 updates:
http://www.sweetwaterschools.org/covid-19-information/

Let's keep in touch via social media using #BeWellRedDevils. We'd love to see your wellness activities!

Be Well Red Devils,
SUHi Counselors
www.SUHiCounseling.com

Boston University Summer Journalism Institute

Last week, Boston University made a difficult decision to suspend all in-person summer programming on campus to keep students and staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our hearts were saddened by the thought of not teaching journalism to high school students this summer. Then, we thought: if journalists can keep reporting, then, why can't we?

With the help of Zoom and other technology, we decided to offer our Boston University Summer Journalism Institute as an online non-credit course. Students will still have the opportunity to:

• Work with award-winning journalists, such as Pulitzer Prize winners (and BU alumna) Lara Salahi and Rochelle Sharpe, who show them how to follow facts and get to the heart of stories affecting communities
• Hear from guest speakers in the field while learning important journalism tips when covering a crisis
• Connect with students in different parts of the world and time zones
• Have at least one article published to our Terrier website to showcase their work

Our photojournalism session, taught by veteran photojournalist and COM professor Stephen Haines, will also be online. Haines worked as a staff photographer, assignment, and photo editor for the Boston Globe. In this special session, he will help students sharpen their camera skills to teach them the basics of visual storytelling.

New Dates and a New Time:
Now that we switched over to an online format, the program tuition was reduced to $1,200. We also have changed the dates of our sessions to the following:

Session 1a: July 6 to July 17
Session 1b: July 6 to July 17 (Photojournalism)
Session 2: July 20 to July 31

Our online classes will start at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time (9:30 a.m. Pacific Time) to accommodate our students in different time zones. We will also record the sessions to make them available to students who may need to see them at a later time.

If your student is ready for a challenge and ready to get a taste of reporting during a crisis, encourage them to learn more by visiting our website, and apply soon, as spots are limited. The final deadline for submitting an application for admission is June 1, 2020.

SDSU Virtual Presentations

SDSU Admissions is conducting live virtual Zoom presentations Monday - Friday at 9:30 AM for all admitted students. They can register for them at sdsu.edu/campustours

In addition to these events. I will be conducting afternoon presentations for students in my recruitment territories. Please share the RSVP form with your students and families.

They can also RSVP using this link: https://forms.gle/vcDmu9xwPzZ135SKA

Virtual Explore SDSU Open House

We invite you and your students to join us at Virtual Explore SDSU Open House: Beyond the Classroom on Saturday, April 18. This event will be a combination of live and recorded information sessions, which will include topics like student life, financial aid, representation and inclusion at SDSU, disability services, academic programs, and more!

Please encourage your students to register today!

FREE "Virtual College Exploration Week"

Strive is hosting a FREE "Virtual College Exploration Week" April 20-23. Please share with your students and families. This is great for all ages and many of the panel presentations could serve as guidance lesson topics. 

• 300+ colleges from 44 states and 10 countries
• College Admission Officers share important tips
• 96 sessions over 4 days
• Day and evening options
• Panel presentations on a range of topics for juniors and underclassmen
• Free and open to students nationwide

https://www.strivescan.com/virtual/

Wellness Wednesday: Happiness is Contagious

Happy Wellness Wednesday Red Devils!

We've all been home for a few weeks now, practicing social distancing, trying to avoid the contagious Covid-19. You know what else is contagious? Happiness! Studies have showed that happiness spreads through social networks, sort of like a virus, meaning that your happiness could influence the happiness of someone you've never even met. So, be kind to those you share your space with, send a nice message to someone, or simply say 'have a nice day' to that person you walk by during your daily walks.

Self-Care Tip:Who do you want to be during Covid-19? See attached image.

I believe we all started in the dark blue. Our goal is to be in the growth zone. Write down what you can do to be in the growth zone. I believe there is a better-than-good chance that our behaviors change for the positive as a result of this pandemic.

Kindness Challenge:Email a former teacher that impacted you.

Students, if you have not yet completed our counselor check in form, you can do so here: https://forms.gle/X9yQzbe9fWWm8SaK7

Teachers and counselors are working together and doing what we can do to make the transition to distance learning as easy and enjoyable for all. Take it one day at a time and make sure you reach out if you have any questions or concerns. We are here for YOU!

Click here for SUHSD Covid-19 updates:
http://www.sweetwaterschools.org/covid-19-information/

Let's keep in touch via social media using #BeWellRedDevils. We'd love to see your wellness activities!

Take care Red Devils,
SUHi Counselors

Did You Miss Your Class Selection Appointment With Your Counselor?

Hello Red Devils!

Your SUHi Counselors hope this email finds you safe and healthy.  We understand you may have lots of questions during this difficult and uncertain time.  As we receive information we will make sure to share it with you, for now please check your school email regularly for updates.

Haven’t seen your counselor to select your courses for next year?
Do not fear you are not too late!

Make sure to complete the Course Selection Form below.
 https://forms.gle/1qq8HKQUnFKUvvpc7

Deadline is April 24th.

Should you have any questions or would like to change a course you selected with your counselor, please reach out to your assigned counselor below:

Student Last Name A – CAM
Brenda.Chavez-Casas@sweetwaterschools.org
619-474-9721

Student Last Name CAN - FER
Nancy.Garcia@sweetwaterschools.org
619-474-9754

Student Last Name FES - HERN
Marivel.Arroyo@sweetwaterschools.org
619-474-9733

Student Last Name HERO - MEN
Marco.Garcia@sweetwaterschools.org
619-474-9723

Student Last Name MEO - PL
Christine.Barragan@sweetwaterschools.org
(sub. for Eleina.Vallejo-Paez@sweetwaterschools.org)
619-474-9722

Student Last Name PM - SAN
Lysabeth.Luansing-Garcia@sweetwaterschools.org
619-474-9771

Student Last Name SAO - Z
Michael.Briney@sweetwaterschools.org
619-474-9719

April 2020 Scholarships

Class of 2020 - April 2020 Scholarships

Letter from SUHi Counseling

Happy Friday Red Devils! 

We hope you and your family are safe, healthy, and in high spirits!  Your SUHi counselors want to assure you that we are here to support you during this unprecedented time. We have been working with our leaders to prepare information, resources, and creative ways to stay connected.

Please click letters below for more information and resources for you to use at home.

Wellness Wednesday: Shine Bright

Happy Wellness Wednesday Red Devils!

We are thinking of you all as we start to re-connect online this week. Students, please make sure you are responding to your teachers' messages. We hope to have 100% response from all of you to ensure you're logged in and ready to learn. Please reach out if you are having trouble connecting online with your teachers.

You will receive a message from the counselors soon with details about grades, credits, graduation, and more. Thank you for your patience as we wait for administration and district guidance on these topics.

During this time, let’s remember that it is important to create a safe physical and emotional environment by practicing the 3 R’s: Reassurance, Routines, and Regulation.

1. Reassure each other about our safety and the resources available for help.

2. We should maintain routines to provide ourselves a sense of safety and predictability (e.g., bedtimes and meals, daily schedules for learning and play).

3. We should support each other’s development of regulation and the practice of self-control through exercise, deep breathing, mindfulness or meditation activities, regular routines for sleeping and eating regularly.

Kindness Challenge
Set up a virtual dance party with friends. Every Saturday night DJ Mel hosts a fun living room dance party with music from across genres. Invite a friend or two, turn on Zoom or Facetime, and dance the night away! https://dola.com/dj-mel-living-room-dance-party

Self-Care Tip
Don’t ever be afraid to shine. The sun isn’t, and it rises brightly every day. Imagine what owning your own light in the same way can do for you.

The counselors send our best wishes and good vibes to our Red Devil family. We are thinking of you all during this time!

Click here for SUHSD Covid-19 updates:
http://www.sweetwaterschools.org/covid-19-information/

Let's keep in touch via social media using #BeWellRedDevils. 

We'd love to see your wellness activities!

College Board Free AP Online Courses

The College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) Program is working to adapt quickly to the new challenges presented by the pandemic and making changes to help students, including those who may have connectivity challenges. There are now free, live, and on-demand AP courses for students, and the AP Program is developing a new at-home testing option.

For each AP subject, there will be two different testing dates. The full exam schedule, specific free-response question types that will be on each AP exam, and additional testing information will be available by April 3. Visit the AP Students webpage to learn more and access the available resources.

Wellness Wednesday: Routines Help with Wellness

Happy Wellness Wednesday Red Devils!

I'm sure we all are feeling some cabin-fever with having to stay at home and practice social distancing. In a few weeks, we all may have to begin new routines with distance learning. In all these changes, it is important to maintain routines in our every day schedules.

Are routines the key to better physical and mental health? Not only can certain repetitive actions benefit your physical health, they can also improve your mental health by reducing your stress levels.

Here are some great tips on how to set new routines for staying home:
coronavirus.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/home/covid-19-checklists/setting-a-new-routine-covid-19-checklist

Self-Care Tip:Set a timer at two minutes. Stand in front of a mirror. Place your fists on your hips, spread your legs, lifted your chest, and gazed to the heavens. Strike your best the Super-Hero pose. Tell yourself you are strong and confident, ready to meet whatever challenges come your way!

Kindness Challenge:Leave a nice note for your mail carrier. A quick note that simply says 'thanks for delivering our mail each day!' would be very appreciated.

The counselors send our best wishes and good vibes to our Red Devil family. We are thinking of you all during this time!

Click here for SUHSD Covid-19 updates:
www.sweetwaterschools.org/covid-19-information/

Let's keep in touch via social media using #BeWellRedDevils. We'd love to see your wellness activities!

Take care and Be Well Red Devils!