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
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.
Parents Club Pro-Tip
MEET OUR ATTENDANCE CLERKS
Tina Gullberg, Attendance & Health Clerk
Tina joined the Acalanes office team five years ago. She moved to the Bay Area from Utah nine years ago with her husband Trig, their son Ethan and daughter Eliza. Ethan graduated from Acalanes in 2021 and Eliza is now a junior at Acalanes.
Marcus Payton, Attendance Clerk
Marcus is new to Acalanes and just joined the Attendance team this summer. Be sure to stop by and give Marcus a warm Acalanes welcome.
ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES Q&A
How do I report absences or late arrivals?
Parents/Guardians need to report absences, late arrivals or early dismissals to the 24-hour attendance line (925-980-3973) or send an email to ahsattendance@auhsdschools.org. Absences not excused after 24 hours will be turned to cuts.
How do I excuse my student for an appointment or early release during the day?
Please report any early releases as soon as possible so the office can have your student's pass ready to go. Call the 24-hour attendance line and leave a message or send an email. The messages are checked frequently. But if your student needs to leave right away, please call the office directly at 925-280-3970 ext. 7126. If your student does not know about the appointment please let us know so we can make arrangements to have the student sent to the office.
How does my student sign out once I have called the attendance line/email?
Your student needs to come to the attendance office before the class they are leaving early from to pick up an off-campus pass. This is their ticket to get out of class. Once they have their pass they can leave class at the designated time, come back to the attendance office to scan the QR code and sign out. If they return the same day, they will return to the attendance office to sign in and pick up a re-admit slip. Signing in/out from the office is mandatory for safety reasons.
Can tardies be excused? Yes, with a medical or dental note and a student sign in. Otherwise, parents cannot excuse tardiness.
For more detailed information, visit the District website attendance reporting here.
Parent Education
Navigating Teen Behaviors
Hosted by SEED High School
Monday, Sep 11 at 7pm
Acalanes Library
This workshop is designed for parents of teens with learning differences and/or disabilities, from your ADHD teen to your ASD teen and everything in between.
If you’d like to receive SEED High School invites, sign up at seedlagayette.org and select High School.
Parents Club Pro-Tip
If you are dropping off your student in the morning, save yourself the hassle and avoid pulling into the parking lot. There are multiple areas around Acalanes where you can safely drop your student and they can walk on to campus. You will not only provide relief to the parking lot traffic but to yourself and your student!
Check back next week for Attendance Reporting tips.
Please reach out to APC here with any questions.
Parent Education
Navigating Teen Behaviors
Hosted by SEED High School
Monday, Sep 11 at 7pm
Acalanes Library
This workshop is designed for parents of teens with learning differences and/or disabilities, from your ADHD teen to your ASD teen and everything in between.
If you’d like to receive SEED High School invites, sign up at seedlagayette.org and select High School.
