Wellness Center

This Tuesday, Acalanes Union High School District will be hosting a parent education night on supporting your student through grief and loss. This webinar will be held on Zoom from 6:30-7:30pm and you can access it through the link in this flyer. Hospice of the East Bay and Contra Costa Crisis Center will be available to provide information, resources, and answer questions about this invaluable topic. Please join us to learn more about the grief process and how it affects teens.

In light of the recent tragedies within our school community and across the entire district, the Wellness Center will be offering programming and intentional spaces designed to bring students closer together in the upcoming weeks. It is important for students to know that they are not alone during these difficult times. All are welcome! The schedule of events is as follows:

• Monday– Those visiting the Wellness Center will be instructed to participate in their choice of mindfulness activities including coloring, origami, puzzles or tile painting.
• Tuesday– Every 30 minutes the Wellness Center team will lead guided meditation.
• Party Wednesday– Stop by the Wellness Center at any point in the day to relax and watch a live stream of cute animals like pandas, jellyfish, and sea otters.
• Thursday– Join in group discussions processing emotions and learning new self-care strategies.
• Friday– The Wellness Center will be showing a funny movie during lunch.

In light of the recent tragedies within our school community and across the entire district, the Wellness Center will be offering programming and intentional spaces designed to bring students closer together in the upcoming weeks. It is important for students to know that they are not alone during these difficult times. All are welcome!

The schedule of events is as follows:
Monday– Those visiting the Wellness center will be instructed to participate in their choice of mindfulness activities including coloring, origami, puzzles or tile painting.
Tuesday– Every 30 minutes the Wellness Center team will lead guided meditation.
Party Wednesday– Stop by the Wellness Center at any point in the day to relax and watch a live stream of cute animals like pandas, jellyfish, and sea otters.
Thursday– Join in group discussions processing emotions and learning new self-care strategies.
Friday– The Wellness Center will be showing a funny movie during lunch.

SENIOR WEEK IN THE WELLNESS CENTER
From April 20 through May 2, the Acalanes Wellness Center will be hosting our first ever Senior Week! Going from high school to the real world can be scary, but we’ve got our seniors covered. For this week, the Wellness Center will offer a variety of programming and resources geared toward seniors transitioning from high school to their next stage in life. Some of the topics that we will be covering include self-care, CA state resources, consent and healthy relationships, and harm reduction. No matter which path your AHS student takes after high school, learning more about these topics can better prepare them for life as a young adult. Stay tuned for a schedule of events in next week’s newsletter!

Together to Save Lives: Fentanyl Awareness & Overdose Rescue Training
The Contra Costa County Office of Education’s Friday Night Live Partnership, the Contra Costa MEDS Coalition, and the CourAGE Youth Health Coalition are hosting this hybrid event on Tuesday, Mar 18, 2025, from 6-7:30pm. This event is designed for educators, parents, and community members who want to make a difference. Don’t miss this opportunity to become a part of the solution. There is no cost to attend, although due to limited space, pre-registration is required. Secure your in-person or virtual spot now.
 
Hybrid Format (in-person & virtual)

• 5:30pm: Doors open and light refreshments
• 6pm: Presentation
• 7pm: Naloxone distribution

Learn about the opioid epidemic and the dangers of fentanyl.

• Expert Insights: Hear from local youth and adult experts about the impact of the opioid crisis and the specific risks associated with fentanyl.
• Overdose Intervention Training: Learn how to identify the signs of an overdose and the steps to take to intervene effectively.
• Free Naloxone Distribution: Attendees will receive training on how to use naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Those attending in person will have the option to receive free naloxone kits.

Why Attend?

• Empower Yourself: Gain the knowledge and skills needed to respond to an overdose and potentially save a life.
• Community Support: Connect with others who are passionate about combating the opioid epidemic and supporting those affected.
• Free Resources: Access valuable information and resources at no cost.

Did you know there is a difference between regular listening and active listening? Active listening differs from passive listening in the fact that you are intentionally going out of your way to show the speaker that they are being heard. Mastering the art of active listening can greatly improve all of your relationships, especially your relationship with your student. Instead of listening to your child intending to respond, try to listen to your child intending to understand what, exactly, they are trying to convey. Here are a few tips that might help you improve your active listening skills:

• Face the speaker and make eye contact while they are speaking.
• Pay attention to body language as well as verbal language.
• Listen without interrupting, judging or jumping to conclusions.
• Ask questions if you need clarification.
• Reflect back what is being said so the speaker knows you are understanding.
• Stay focused and don’t multitask.
• Don’t insert your opinions or solutions unless asked.

Most people, including your child, just want to be heard and supported. Taking the time to practice active listening and employ your skills with your student not only models good listening behaviors but supports the idea that you are a safe and trustworthy person for them to confide in.

Did you know there is a difference between regular listening and active listening? Active listening differs from passive listening in the fact that you are intentionally going out of your way to show the speaker that they are being heard. Mastering the art of active listening can greatly improve all of your relationships, especially your relationship with your student. Instead of listening to your child intending to respond, try to listen to your child intending to understand what, exactly, they are trying to convey. Here are a few tips that might help you improve your active listening skills:

• Face the speaker and make eye contact while they are speaking.
• Pay attention to body language as well as verbal language.
• Listen without interrupting, judging or jumping to conclusions.
• Ask questions if you need clarification.
• Reflect back what is being said so the speaker knows you are understanding.
• Stay focused and don’t multitask.
• Don’t insert your opinions or solutions unless asked.

Most people, including your child, just want to be heard and supported. Taking the time to practice active listening and employ your skills with your student not only models good listening behaviors but supports the idea that you are a safe and trustworthy person for them to confide in.

Did you know there is a difference between regular listening and active listening? Active listening differs from passive listening in the fact that you are intentionally going out of your way to show the speaker that they are being heard. Mastering the art of active listening can greatly improve all of your relationships, especially your relationship with your student. Instead of listening to your child intending to respond, try to listen to your child intending to understand what, exactly, they are trying to convey. Here are a few tips that might help you improve your active listening skills:

• Face the speaker and make eye contact while they are speaking.
• Pay attention to body language as well as verbal language.
• Listen without interrupting, judging or jumping to conclusions.
• Ask questions if you need clarification.
• Reflect back what is being said so the speaker knows you are understanding.
• Stay focused and don’t multitask.
• Don’t insert your opinions or solutions unless asked.

Most people, including your child, just want to be heard and supported. Taking the time to practice active listening and employ your skills with your student not only models good listening behaviors but supports the idea that you are a safe and trustworthy person for them to confide in.

Mindfulness and meditation are both invaluable skills to develop during a mental health journey. Mindfulness based interventions have been shown to reduce anxiety and depression. There’s also evidence that mindfulness can lower blood pressure and improve sleep. It may even help people cope with physical pain.

The Wellness Center is now hosting Tranquil Tuesdays every week during lunch to practice meditation and mindfulness as well as encourage students to prioritize their self-care. Encourage your AHS student to drop by the Wellness Center to learn more about mindfulness and reap the benefits that mindfulness can offer.
 
Source: NIH.gov

Are you or someone you know interested in quitting tobacco use? Kick It California is a free program that helps Californians kick smoking, vaping, and smokeless tobacco with the help of proven, science-based strategies. Clinically proven, culturally sensitive, and trusted, Kick It California, formerly the California Smokers’ Helpline, opened in 1992 as the first publicly funded statewide quitline. They now offer individual telephone counseling, a texting program, online chat, a smart phone app, Alexa Skill for quit smoking tips, and self-help materials. Take the first step toward quitting by visiting https://kickitca.org/. In Contra Costa County, you can also call 2-1-1 for a direct referral to Kick It California.