Page 1 In the Loop Student Support Services Newsletter Child Abuse Prevention Month STAR Family and Community Engagement Summit Stress Awareness Month School News Autism Awareness Month Student Support Services Spotlight - FAFSA Community News In this Issue April 2023 How well do you know your Social Worker? Can you match the following Social Workers with their baby pictures? Kim Baker Sonja Hairston Dawn Holmes Erica Hoskins Diamond Jacobs Jessalyn Pedone Katie Stephenson A B C D E F G
In the Loop Student Support Services Newsletter April 2023 Child Abuse Prevention Month Page 2 Click here to check out the free resource materials!
In the Loop Student Support Services Newsletter April 2023 Family and Community Engagement Summit at STAR Page 3 On March 16th and 17th, STAR Academy hosted a Family and Community Engagement Summit for middle and high school students, respectively. Thursday, the 16th, focused on the middle school students, and the 17th was focused on the high school students. The Family Engagement team invited parents and community members to the summit to take part in a variety of activities. The first activity of the day was a walk for those interested in getting outside and stretching their legs. This was followed by coffee and treats hosted in Yolanda McDowell and Victoria Lewis’s cozy and comfortably decorated office. Next, our guests joined in a “getting to know each other" circle to find out a little more about each other and learn about what connects us to each other. Then it was off to the cafeteria to meet with the students to review and discuss their report cards. This activity gave the parents and the community members a chance to sit down and encourage the students to keep up the hard work and help them with goal setting. Then we broke for lunch and more networking. After lunch our guests had another chance to sit and talk to our students in small groups about their different career fields and share their experiences with the students.Then we closed the day with a circle to discuss how the day went and see if our guests enjoyed themselves and what suggestions they had for us for the next summit. Many connections were made between staff, community members, family members, and students. aWe look forward to hosting more events like this one so we can continue to show our STAR students all the support they do have to help them be successful. Submitted by: Kim Winslow, Lead Family Engagement Specialist and Katie Cooney-Schofield, Admin Assistant Student Support Services
In the Loop Student Support Services Newsletter April 2023 Health Services Page 4 Submitted by: Holly Price, Health Services Specialist
DMS has planted blue pinwheels around our school to show our support and commitment to the protection of our families and children. "Shining in the sun, the pinwheel is reflective of the bright future all children deserve and our belief that getting it right early is less costly than trying to fix it later." In the Loop Student Support Services Newsletter April 2023 School News Page 5 Our Guidance Department planted 100 blue pinwheels around our school for child abuse prevention month.We are also having a 'Purple Up' Day on Wednesday April 19th for the month of the military child. Staff and students will be encouraged to wear purple. Submitted by: Miya Thomas, School Counselor It is never ok for someone to HARM you in anyway. SPEAK up for yourself and for others. There are SAFE people here to help you. Here are some SAFE people to talk to… Mrs. Baker and Mrs. Williams Mrs. Koerner Mrs. Smith Ms. Drake Deputy Warren School Social Worker Guidance Counselor School Nurse Principal Asst. Principal School Resource Officer You can also TELL your teacher, bus driver, librarian, office or cafeteria staff, custodians or any staff if you need HELP. Submitted by: Kim Baker, School Social Worker
In the Loop Student Support Services Newsletter April 2023 Page 6 School News Submitted by: Grace Rooney, School Counselor How well do you know your Social Worker? (Answers from page 1) A. Diamond Jacobs B. Kim Baker C. Erica Hoskins D. Dawn Holmes E. Katie Stephenson F. Sonja Hairston G. Jessalyn Pedone 3/31/23, 12:29 PM Profesional Yellow Home Sale Promo Flyer.png https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=rm&ogbl#search/military+shirt/FMfcgzGrcjKPrhrtVnkkGGHFCBjXqsNq?compose=GTvVlcSGLdnZTfDpXNhNjlJhNZpXgg… 1/1
In the Loop Student Support Services Newsletter April 2023 Page 7 Mental Health Spotlight As a former Special Education Teacher, children living with a disability have been a population I loved serving as well as learning from. In recognition of our students with Autism, here are some ways you can celebrate Autism Awareness Month. 1) Be an advocate for a person with Autism. If you see bullying or hear bullying, say something. 2) Create a club at your school that is inclusive of all students. 3) Amplify their voices. The best way to learn about Autism is to listen to Autistic voices. When learning about Autism, listen to those who HAVE Autism about their experiences. 4) Celebrate diversity in the classroom with these two books; “What If Everybody Thought That?” by: Ellen Javernick and “I Am Me” by: Tristan Towns & Lacey Howard. 5) Find a local family and ask them directly in what ways you can assist them. 6) If you own a business, you can hire someone on the Autism Spectrum. 7) A kind note or letter from a well-meaning neighbor, preparing a nice meal for a family, inviting a child with autism to birthday parties or play dates are all great ways to show these families that they are not alone. 8) Be a friend. Genuine acceptance is the best way you can lend support to someone with Autism. Support them by listening to what they have to say and respect it. April is … Submitted by: Amanda Sambets, Mental Health Support Specialist
In the Loop Student Support Services Newsletter April 2023 Page 8 Student Support Services Spotlight Submitted by: Lisa Stewart, Student Support Services Facilitator
In the Loop Student Support Services Newsletter April 2023 Page 9 Community Events