Snowballs or Avalanches: Which ones are more dangerous?
Dr. Yanni Rho, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
Parent and Member of the Contra Costa County Suicide Prevention Coalition
The answer: Both can be! Avalanches are obvious; you see a sign while driving through the hills and are aware that there is danger and that your car could be covered in seconds.
Snowballs individually may not be a problem. But if you are thrown snowball after snowball after snowball, your car may be covered, maybe not in seconds, but it could be if the conditions are just right. And sometimes, what you think is a snowball can feel like an avalanche to your child/teen.
As parents and guardians, it’s important to watch for both avalanches and snowballs for ourselves as well in our teens’ lives as certain times in their lives may be more risky. Transitions or significant life events/traumas are a known factor that plays into depression and increases suicide risk for children and teens. Some examples are breakups, losing friend groups, family transitions, being bullied, etc.
Other things to notice that can increase risk are drug and alcohol use, depression and anxiety, poor sleep and eating habits, etc.
Make sure to touch base with your teens, and remember to respect their space and not be intrusive as well. This is easier said than done, but something that you can say (when your child/teen wants to be left alone) is “I just want to check in with you because I love you and want you to know that you can come to me when you are ready to talk. If you can’t talk to me, please make sure you are talking with someone who will support you.” And if they are willing to talk, validate their feelings and try not to minimize (eg. “Everything will be okay” or “it’s not a big deal”). Empathic and active listening can help open doors to deeper conversations.
Remember that even if they look or seem happy, they may be struggling inside, so watch for signs such as talking about suicide or death, feeling hopeless or guilty, pulling away from friends and family, losing desire to do their favorite activities, changes in personality, etc.
Fortunately, we have access to mental health/well-being resources, such as the Wellness centers at school, counselors, nurses, community providers such as pediatricians and therapists, psychiatrists, etc. Some of us may also have access to traditional healers, religious or spiritual leaders, and other communities of support. But we also have access to 988 Lifeline (text or call), the California Parent and Youth helpline (text, chat, or call), or Youthline peer support line in Oregon (open to all teens- call, text, chat, email). So feel free to utilize and share with others and your children. If you have questions or would like more support, feel free to reach out to parented@acalanesparentsclub.com.
Parent Education
|
|
Parent Education
|
|
Parents Club Pro-Tip
Encourage your student to show up and participate in all the fun planned for homecoming week. There are so many different ways to get involved and its a great opportunity to make new friends or spend time with old friends. Go Dons!
Parent Education
SONG FOR CHARLIE - VIDEO
Last week Acalanes Administration hosted an impactful presentation with Song for Charlie (family-run nonprofit) and local First Responders on the topic of Fentanyl and “Fake Pills”. It was great to see so many parents and caregivers in attendance. This was not the old drug presentations we saw as kids. The information is new and important for all to see. We highly recommend parents sit down with their students to view the video!
Song for Charlie Website and Presentation
HOW TO NAVIGATE LIFE - EVENT REMINDER
Campo DEIB Presents: “How to Navigate Life" Book Discussion
Wednesday, Oct 11 at 7pm
Campolindo High School Performing Arts Center
RSVP Now at Event Create.
Acalanes High School and APC present
INTERNET SAFETY NIGHT
Tuesday, Oct 24 at 6:30pm
Acalanes Performing Arts Center
Event is free for all parents/guardian.
Parent Education
Campus and Gun Safety Event • Tuesday, Oct 3 from 7-8pm
Acalanes Performing Arts Center (PAC)
Lafayette parents with students in grades K-12 can join us for a presentation and panel discussion on the important topic of campus and gun safety. Speakers include:
- City of Lafayette Mayor Carl Anduri
- Police Chief Ben Alldritt
- Lafayette School District Superintendent Dr. Brent Stephens
- Acalanes Unified High School District Superintendent Dr. John Nickerson
- Acalanes High School Principal Eric Shawn
We will hear about our city’s work to keep students and families safe from gun violence, and parents will learn how they can stay informed and do their part to keep our community safe.
Parents Club Pro-Tip
GRADING WINDOWS AND REMINDERS
Parents/guardians should have received an email Friday morning from Parent Square with a Progress Report for your student(s). Note, the Progress Report shows just a snapshot of the grading status on Friday, Sep 15 and may already show something different in Canvas now.
1st Semester Grading Window:
- Q1 Progress Report: Sep 15
- Q1 Ends: Oct 13
- Q2 Progress Report: Nov 9
- Semester 1 Ends: Dec 22
The best way to support our students academically is not necessarily through these report cards but more so by being an "Observer" in Canvas and encouraging and assisting our students with self advocacy.
The Acalanes educational philosophy reinforces the learning over the points. When reviewing Canvas with your students please help your students keep this in mind.
For more detailed information on grading please refer to the Dons Dialogue slides or recording from Friday. Many parents found the discussion very helpful
Parent Education
Community Parent Education Night: What Everyone Needs to Know About the Drug Landscape Today
Presented by Song For Charlie, local law enforcement agencies, and the Acalanes administration
Thursday, Sep 28 • Acalanes Performing Arts Center (PAC)
- 5:30-6:30pm: Community Programming with Wellness, Counselors, AHS Admin and Lafayette Community Responders
- 6:30-8pm: Fentanyl Presentation by Song for Charlie
- RSVP here
See General Administration Announcements above for more details.
Campus and Gun Safety,
Tuesday, Oct 3 from 7-8pm, Acalanes Performing Arts Center (PAC)
Lafayette parents with students in grades K-12 can join us for a presentation and panel discussion on the important topic of campus and gun safety. Speakers include:
- City of Lafayette Mayor Carl Anduri
- Police Chief Ben Alldritt
- Lafayette School District Superintendent Dr. Brent Stephens
- Acalanes Unified High School District Superintendent Dr. John Nickerson
- Acalanes High School Principal Eric Shawn
We will hear about our city’s work to keep students and families safe from gun violence, and parents will learn how they can stay informed and do their part to keep our community safe.
Parent Education
ACALANES HIGH SCHOOL HOSTS A COMMUNITY PARENT EDUCATION NIGHT:
What Everyone Needs to Know about the Drug Landscape Today
Thursday, Sep 28 at 5:30pm
Acalanes Performing Arts Center (PAC)
RSVP Here
Join Song For Charlie, Local Law Enforcement Agencies, and the Acalanes Administration as they present What Everyone Needs to Know About the Drug Landscape Today. This is an opportunity for our parent community to come together to learn the facts about fentanyl and take empowered action to protect yourself and your loved ones.
We will host a student presentation with this content for our Juniors and Seniors on Friday, Sep 29 during Academy.
CAMPUS AND GUN SAFETY EVENT
Tuesday, Oct 3 from 7-8pm
Acalanes Performing Arts Center (PAC)
Lafayette parents with students in grades K-12, are invited to an upcoming presentation and panel discussion on the important topic of campus and gun safety. Speakers include:
- City of Lafayette Mayor Carl Anduri
- Police Chief Ben Alldritt
- Lafayette School District Superintendent Dr. Brent Stephens
- Acalanes Unified High School District Superintendent Dr. John Nickerson
- Acalanes High School Principal Eric Shawn
We will hear about our city’s work to keep students and families safe from gun violence, and parents will learn how they can stay informed and do their part to keep our community safe. Please join us!
Parents Club Pro-Tip
ACADEMY WITH A PURPOSE
Our students attend Academy on Wednesday and Friday mornings from 10:10-11:05am. Students use TeachMore (an online platform) to select where they would like to go for Academy or teachers can also tag a student to attend their Academy for test make-ups or targeted support.
Ask your student(s) where they are going for Academy each week and encourage them to make a good selection. These periods are a great time to get homework completed, work on group projects or participate in enrichment activities. Peer Tutoring is always a valuable option during the Academy periods as well.
Parent Education
Acalanes High School Hosts
A Community Parent Education Night
Thursday, Sep 28, 2023
Acalanes Performing Arts Center
Join Song For Charlie, Local Law Enforcement Agencies, and the Acalanes Administration as they present What Everyone Needs to Know About the Drug Landscape Today. This is an opportunity for our parent community to come together to learn the facts about fentanyl and take empowered action to protect yourself and your loved ones.
