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
Preparing for a Teen Driver – Free Parent Information Night
We know that the process of teaching your teen how to drive and earn their license can feel daunting. That’s why we are excited to offer an informative presentation by driving experts and Greenlight Simulation founders Jason Zimmerman and Josh Hurley. They will lay out the steps to acquire a license and provide some foundational tips on how to approach behind-the-wheel driver training with your teen.
- What: Parent Pit Stop - A Guide To Getting Your Teen Behind The Wheel
- When: Thursday, Feb 6 - 6:30-7:30pm
- Where: Acalanes High School Library
Click here for more information and to RSVP (space is limited).
Parents Club Pro-Tip
Here are some valuable pro-tips from seasoned student leaders that we want to share:
- Check in with your students about finals. Encourage them to take advantage of the many resources available to help study and de-stress. Visit the APC website for a reminder of resources available. You can even print the handy exam schedule here.
- Encourage your student to visit the RogerHub website to utilize their Final Grade Calculator. Some students find it helpful to calculate what score they need to achieve on their final exam in order to get the semester grade they desire in the class.
Let’s face it, finals can be a stressful time not only for our students, but also us parents, so hang in there!
Parents Club Pro-Tip
Yield at the "Shark's Teeth" for Dons
This fall, the city installed a raised crosswalk by the school entrance to improve safety. Please give pedestrians space by stopping at the "Shark's Teeth". These triangles indicate where vehicles (autos and bikes) must stop when there are pedestrians crossing. Please also pass this tip on to any Dons who are new to driving.
Thanks for your help in keeping our students safe!
Parent Education
Virtual Parent Education Night: Song for Charlie- Fentanyl Awareness
Thursday, Nov 7 from 6:30-9pm
Parents Club Pro-Tip
STUDENTS SHOULD CHECK OUT THE CAFETERIA!
Did you know that Acalanes offers free breakfast, brunch and lunch for all students? Our amazing cafeteria staff prepares a variety of tasty baked goods and meals from scratch every day, making it easy for our students to stay fueled for success. As a reminder, Acalanes is a closed campus, so students are not allowed to leave during lunch. Encourage your students to take full advantage of the free meals on campus - or take a few extra minutes to pack a lunch in the morning.
If you’d like to see the cafeteria in action, please sign up here to come help out at lunch. We have a fun new volunteer opportunity available on Mon, Wed and Fri at lunch. Sign up here.
Parents Club Pro-Tip
ATTENDANCE Q&A - PART 2
What does my student do if they are marked absent by their teacher and it is an error?
Have the student come into the attendance office to get a teacher correction form.
Do I need to excuse my student if they already have an early dismissal for sports?
No. Early sports dismissals are included in the Daily Don (email and/or text) sent from the office each morning.
If my student returns with a medical/dental note, do I still need to call the attendance line?
Yes, the absence still needs to be verified by a parent. Please call the 24-hour attendance line at 925-280-3973.
Parent Education
Song for Charlie - Educational Presentation about the Dangers of Fentanyl
This is a district wide Parent Education Night on fentanyl awareness. Join us on Oct 8 from 6:30-8pm at Los Lomas High School Theatre to view a documentary produced by the nonprofit organization Song for Charlie followed by a Q & A panel.
Parents Club Pro-Tip
GRADING WINDOWS AND REMINDERS
Parents/guardians should have received an email last week 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 20 and may already show something different in Canvas now.
1st Semester Grading Window:
- Q1 Progress Report: Sep 20
- Q1 Ends: Oct 11
- Q2 Progress Report: Nov 8
- Semester 1 Ends: Dec 20
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.
If you have questions about grading or resources for students please attend our next Dons Dialogue (Oct 18) for open discussion on topics like this and more.
Parents Club Pro-Tip
MEET OUR OFFICE ATTENDANCE TEAM!
Tina Gullberg, Attendance & Health Clerk
Tina joined the Acalanes office team six 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 senior at Acalanes.
Anisa Stanton, Attendance Clerk
Anisa is new to Acalanes and just joined the team this summer. She’s lived in the Bay Area her whole life and started dancing at the age of 3! She did many productions, including the Nutcracker, and loved seeing the joy in her community! She started working in the school district in January 2020 with transition students at Del Valle as an instructional aide. She worked at Miramonte briefly in the Wellness Center and at Campolindo for the last 3 years in the Special Education program. She’s greatly enjoyed working with students and focusing on getting her BA in psychology as well. Be sure to stop by and give Anisa 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 become 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/sent an 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.
Parent Education
SEED High School Presents: Understanding and Supporting Teen Behavior with Peter J. Alter: A Guide for Parents. Tuesday, Sep 24 at 7pm in the Acalanes High School Library. This workshop provides an in-depth exploration of behavioral challenges faced by teenagers with disabilities, utilizing the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Tailored for parents and caregivers, the session focuses on practical strategies for understanding, assessing, and addressing various behavioral issues within this demographic. Click here to register!
