Wellness Center

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.

Did you know there is a difference between regular listening and active listening? Active listeners differ from passive listeners, in that they are intentionally going out of their 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 and intending to respond, try listening 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 employing your skills with your student not only models good listening behavior, but also supports the idea that you are a safe and trustworthy person for them to confide in.Taking the time to practice active listening and employing your skills with your student not only models good listening behavior, but also 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 listeners differ from passive listeners, in that they are intentionally going out of their 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 and intending to respond, try listening 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 employing your skills with your student not only models good listening behavior, but also supports the idea that you are a safe and trustworthy person for them to confide in.

AUHSD Wellness is hosting a monthly Zoom parent education series on numerous topics surrounding mental health and wellness in your student. The goal of these educational opportunities is to help parents feel equipped in supporting their child to the best of their ability. This flyer outlines topics, dates and times, as well as links for registration. We hope to see you there!

Follow us on Instagram @acalaneswellness to keep up with what’s going on with the AHS Wellness Center and all of our parent and student opportunities

AUHSD Wellness will be hosting a monthly Zoom parent education series on numerous topics surrounding mental health and wellness in your student. The goal of these education opportunities is to help parents feel equipped in supporting their child to the best of their ability. This flyer outlines topics, dates and times, as well as links for registration. We hope to see you there!

Follow us on Instagram @acalaneswellness to keep up with what’s going on with the AHS Wellness Center and all of our parent and student opportunities.