Wellness Center

The Wellness Center is starting up a couple of new groups. Check in with your AHS student and submit a referral if they are interested in participating.
 
The Wellness Center is starting up a couple of new groups. Check in with your AHS student and submit a referral if they are interested in participating.
 
Wellness Wednesdays started last week during academy: Is your student feeling stressed, overwhelmed or just wants to improve their understanding of mental health? They can join us during academy on Wednesdays to connect with others in a safe and supportive space. We will discuss various mental health topics in the hope of destigmatizing mental health challenges and improving our coping skills. Space is limited. Sign up for “Wellness Center” academy on Teachmore.
 
Expression Through Dance and Movement- starting Friday, Feb 24 during lunch: A program created to focus on increasing student confidence by using body movement to gain insight into behavior patterns and gaining the ability to express themselves through dance. This will allow individuals to create new ways of coping with stressors. This program also provides an opportunity to make friends, try new activities and develop new coping skills. Stop by the Wellness Center for more info or to sign up.
 
Last but not least, the Contra Costa County Office of Education and their Tobacco Use Prevention and Education program needs your help in preventing  tobacco and cannabis usage by students. They are looking to gather parent feedback through this survey. Your feedback is extremely valuable to us so that we can best support our students. Your responses are highly encouraged and greatly appreciated!
 
Kiara Thomas- Wellness Intake Specialist

The Wellness Center is starting up a couple of new groups. Check in with your AHS student and submit a referral if they are interested in participating.
 
Wellness Wednesdays starting Feb 15 during academy: Is your student feeling stressed, overwhelmed or just wants to improve their understanding of mental health? They can join us during academy starting this Wednesday to connect with others in a safe and supportive space. We will discuss various mental health topics in the hope of destigmatizing mental health challenges and improving our coping skills. Space is limited. Sign up for “Wellness Center” academy on Teachmore.
 
Expression Through Dance and Movement- starting Friday, Feb 24 during lunch: A program created to focus on increasing student confidence by using body movement to gain insight into behavior patterns and gaining the ability to express themselves through dance. This will allow individuals to create new ways of coping with stressors. This program also provides an opportunity to make friends, try new activities and develop new coping skills. Stop by the Wellness Center for more info or to sign up.
 
Last but not least, the Contra Costa County Office of Education and their Tobacco Use Prevention and Education program needs your help in preventing  tobacco and cannabis usage by students. They are looking to gather parent feedback through this survey. Your feedback is extremely valuable to us so that we can best support our students. Your responses are highly encouraged and greatly appreciated!
 
Kiara Thomas- Wellness Intake Specialist

Resilience is defined by the Oxford dictionary as the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties. Let’s be honest, this is one of the most valuable skills that one can have in life. While suffering in life is inevitable, resilience allows us to move past it, and even capitalize on it, by fostering personal growth. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are hoping to develop resilience within your AHS student or yourself:

Self Awareness – being in tune with oneself increases our ability to understand our emotions and act in accordance with what aligns with our values. Ultimately, this reduces inner conflict which reduces suffering.
Mindfulness – taking in the present moment for solely what it is creates a space in which we may feel more in control of ourselves. Instead of passing judgment, take a deep breath and consider what decisions can be made to achieve our desired outcome.
Self Care – if we are not taking care of ourselves (exercising, eating, recreating, etc.) suffering increases. Consider the fact that sleep is now viewed as one of the strongest health indicators.
Community – humans are extremely social creatures. Creating meaningful, healthy connections with others can help lessen the negative effects of suffering. Sharing personal experiences with people you trust can increase resilience.
Purpose – this point goes along with self-awareness. Finding purpose in what we do with our lives has the potential to be grounding  when times get tough.
 
Kiara Thomas-Wellness Intake Specialist

Resilience is defined by the Oxford dictionary as the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties. Let’s be honest, this is one of the most valuable skills that one can have in life. While suffering in life is inevitable, resilience allows us to move past it, and even capitalize on it, by fostering personal growth. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are hoping to develop resilience within your AHS student or yourself:

Self Awareness – being in tune with oneself increases our ability to understand our emotions and act in accordance with what aligns with our values. Ultimately, this reduces inner conflict which reduces suffering.

Mindfulness – taking in the present moment for solely what it is creates a space in which we may feel more in control of ourselves. Instead of passing judgment, take a deep breath and consider what decisions can be made to achieve our desired outcome.

Self Care – if we are not taking care of ourselves (exercising, eating, recreating, etc.) suffering increases. Consider the fact that sleep is now viewed as one of the strongest health indicators.

Community – humans are extremely social creatures. Creating meaningful, healthy connections with others can help lessen the negative effects of suffering. Sharing personal experiences with people you trust can increase resilience.

Purpose – this point goes along with self-awareness. Finding purpose in what we do with our lives has the potential to be grounding  when times get tough.
 
Kiara Thomas-Wellness Intake Specialist

We are so excited to have students back to start the new year! It’s very common for people to use this time to set new goals for the upcoming year. Goal setting is a great way to set up yourself, and your student, for success. Discuss setting SMART goals with your student:

• Specific– narrow goals are more efficient for planning and execution.
• Measurable– how will you know that you are making progress toward reaching your goal?
• Attainable– it’s important that goals are realistic and can actually be achieved.
• Relevant– be sure that your goals align with what you find important in the short and long-term.
• Time based– when setting an end date to assess whether you have met your goal, the date should be both motivating and achievable. 

Setting, working toward and achieving SMART goals is extremely beneficial to mental health. Everyone likes to feel capable and accomplished. This can help improve self esteem as well as fostering an internal locus of control.
 
Finally, the next AUHSD Wellness Parent Education opportunity is taking place via Zoom this week on Tuesday, Jan 24 from 6-7:30pm. While these webinars are free to attend, we do ask that you register here prior to attending.
 
Kiara Thomas- Wellness Intake Specialist

We are so excited to have students back to start the new year! It’s very common for people to use this time to set new goals for the upcoming year. Goal setting is a great way to set up yourself, and your student, for success. Discuss setting SMART goals with your student:

• Specific– narrow goals are more efficient for planning and execution.
• Measurable– how will you know that you are making progress toward reaching your goal?
• Attainable– it’s important that goals are realistic and can actually be achieved.
• Relevant– be sure that your goals align with what you find important in the short and long-term.
• Time based– when setting an end date to assess whether you have met your goal, the date should be both motivating and achievable. 

Setting, working toward and achieving SMART goals is extremely beneficial to mental health. Everyone likes to feel capable and accomplished. This can help improve self esteem as well as fostering an internal locus of control.
 
Finally, the next AUHSD Wellness Parent Education opportunity is taking place via Zoom on Tuesday, Jan 24 from 6-7:30pm. While these webinars are free to attend, we do ask that you register here prior to attending.
 
Happy New Year!
Kiara Thomas- Wellness Intake Specialist

Winter Wellness – Drop in at the Lafayette Library SWELL CENTER!
Open Monday, Dec 19 – Friday, Dec 30, from 10am-2pm. Closed Monday, Dec 26.
Open to all 6th – 12th Graders! 


Tips for Test Anxiety
With finals right around the corner, it may be beneficial to discuss test anxiety with your AHS student. Test anxiety is actually a form of performance anxiety which affects 25-40% of students. While it’s perfectly normal  for a student to feel nervous before a test, test anxiety can be overwhelming for students and disrupt their concentration and ability. Here are a couple steps you can take to support your student in combating their test anxiety:

• Positive self talk can go a long way in altering one’s perception of their ability. Encourage your student to talk to themselves how they would talk to a friend or loved one experiencing the same anxiety. We are often our own worst critic and in many instances, we talk to ourselves more negatively than we would ever talk to someone else.
• Acceptance of mistakes can also shift your student’s mindset around their ability. First, remind your student that trying their best is realistically the most they can do. Even when trying our absolute best, people still make mistakes. Second, model this behavior for your students. Are you shaming your student when their best effort isn’t “good enough” or beating yourself up when you make a mistake? Offer grace in the face of mistakes. We’re all human after all.
• Teach test taking basics to your student so they might feel more confident when the time comes to take a test. Believe it or not, study skills and test taking strategies are learned. Just because students have to take tests, doesn’t mean they are actually equipped to do so successfully.

AUHSD Wellness has planned a fantastic Parent Education series covering multiple mental health and wellness topics. The next webinar takes place on Tuesday, Dec. 6 from 6-7pm via Zoom. Hosted by Contra Costa Crisis Center, the presentation focuses on Suicide Prevention. While these education opportunities are free to attend, we do ask that you register here prior to the webinar.
 
If you missed the previous Parent Education webinars, they have been recorded and placed on this website for easy access. You can find future webinars outlined there as well.

AUHSD Wellness has planned a fantastic Parent Education series covering multiple mental health and wellness topics. The next webinar takes place on Tuesday, Dec. 6 from 6-7pm via Zoom. Hosted by Contra Costa Crisis Center, the presentation focuses on Suicide Prevention. While these education opportunities are free to attend, we do ask that you register here prior to the webinar.
 
If you missed the previous Parent Education webinars, they have been recorded and placed on this website for easy access. You can find future webinars outlined there as well.

As we approach the Thanksgiving break, the Wellness Center will offer a couple of workshops for students interested in expanding their coping and self-regulation skills. If you think that your student might be interested in participating, they can use this link to sign up (must be accessed from your student’s school email address). We will reach out to all students regarding interest and workshop details no later than Tuesday, Nov 15.
 
AUHSD Wellness has put together a fantastic Parent Education series covering multiple mental health and wellness topics. The next webinar takes place on Tuesday, Nov 15 from 6-7pm via Zoom. Hosted by Counseling Options & Parent Education (COPE), the presentation focuses on Recognizing Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Yourself and Your Child. While these education opportunities are free to attend, we do ask that you register here prior to the webinar.
 
Finally, if you missed any of our previous Parent Education webinars, they have been recorded and placed on this website for easy access. You can find future webinars outlined there as well.