Sea King Families, 

We hope you are enjoying your weekend and finding time to rest and recharge. Please take some time to review the second edition of our biweekly Mental Health Minute message from our Sage Counselor, Mrs. Samaha.

Our Sea King News has released their October Episode and you don't want to miss it, check it out in the News & Announcements section below.

The annual Skechers Walk is next Sunday and we need you!! Please CLICK HERE to join our team (even if you decide not to attend physically, JOINING OUR TEAM will help us reach the goal. (donations do not). 

Next week we PLEDGE TO BE DRUG-FREE. Schools across PVPUSD and the nation celebrate Red Ribbon Week each year to become better informed and pledge our commitment to a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. This year, PVIS will participate again in RRW.

Here are some of the activities planned:

• We kicked things off last Friday with an all-school game of BINGO for National Know Your Classmates Day
• Daily Spirit Days with winners for each grade 
• Door decorating contest
• Special lessons in elective classes
• Drug-Free pledge

MENTAL HEALTH MINUTE MESSAGE 

We recently wrapped up our Facing Life's Challenges presentation with students, where we talked about mental health and coping strategies during difficult times. We wanted to share some of the information discussed in the presentations and ways you can continue to help your child at home.

 We talked about: 

• How being in quarantine last year might have made students feel sad, lonely, anxious, and disconnected from others. We also talked about how students might have mixed feelings about coming back to school this year & the importance of rebuilding connections with students, teachers, and staff this year.

• Anxiety and depression, including typical symptoms, stressors, warning signs, and reasons for experiencing anxiety and/or depression.

• Different coping skills to help manage feelings of stress, anxiety, or sadness.

• The importance of having support and identifying different supports students can go to if feeling down, needing to talk, or needing help (family, friends, teachers, counselors, coaches, etc.)

Ways to continue supporting students at home:

• Remind your child that changes and transitions can be challenging, and it's okay if they are having trouble adjusting back to school this year.

• Be aware of warning signs of depression that you can talk about together – sad/anxious/empty mood, loss of interest in or pleasure in activities, feeling hopeless/worthless/helpless/guilty.

• Review and practice different coping skills with your child to help manage stress and improve overall mental health – some examples: getting outside, exercise, journaling, listening to music, spending quality time with friends or family, art or crafts, reading.

• Please encourage your child to talk with you or another trusted adult about their feelings, and remind them that it is normal and okay to feel down or upset sometimes.

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If you would like to meet with your school counselor - CLICK HERE