Why I will say "NO" to drugs.
The Alabama Peace Officers Association created an essay contest that we hope will encourage our children to reflect upon the dangers of drugs in our society by putting their thoughts in writing and, hopefully, making the decision to “just say no” to drugs and alcohol. Several of our SMS 8th graders chose to participate. We selected three winners to be submitted into the contest to represent SMS who were awarded a $25 Walmart gift card from donation received via donation by The Griggs Law Firm. One runner up selected awarded a gift card via donation by Restoration 29. All students who entered an essay were rewarded with a pizza party.
Thank you to Mr. Hollinquest and Mrs. Sullen for your support!
This is a great reminder about the realities of the distance between setting a goal and achieving it.
Is this not the truth?
We set a goal, we start working toward it, then we doubt it, then we learn about it, then we fall again...probably flat on our faces, then we get back up, practice, fall back down, we make it for a while, and then we struggle again!
Here's the thing. We have to convince ourselves to keep getting back up through the days of defeat. I encourage you today to push through the loops and turns along the way until you conquer that goal you've set!
YOU'VE GOT THIS!
~Mrs. Brittany Spencer, Principal, Southside Middle School
Thanksgiving Blog
As I enjoyed a plate of potluck goodies provided by faculty & staff of Tallassee Elementary School this Friday, I took a moment to reflect on how happy I was to make myself a plate of goodies. But you see, it's not just about my love for food but it was the perfect thing I needed after a fairly stressful morning. I wasn't the only one. I watched the teachers stagger in on their short breaks to grab and go, rushing to return to their classroom of children. Each of them entered the door with some scramble but immediately changing to relief as if they had entered the door to a magical dimension. With their plates in hand full of bbq meatballs, buffalo dip, Health dip with apples, chips, and all kinds of homemade desserts these men and women of TES were rejuvenated ready to tackle the last day of school with our students before break. I saw how such a simple thing, such as comfort food, can improve the mood of everyone so I did a little research.
I learned from an article in Psychology Today, "a recent study in the journal of Psychological Science reports that turning to comfort foods can improve your mood. Data from this research showed that consuming foods that are associated with good thoughts and warm feelings not only improves a sense of well-being, they also decrease loneliness."
Thanksgiving is a holiday all about food and coming together to enjoy a meal (or two, or three, oh, don't forget the leftovers). Be it a warm, juicy turkey with mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, dressing, eggnog, or a pumpkin pie, when we eat these comfort foods, we reconnect with meaningful associations to others. So if you feel any guilt with your full bellies this week, know that the endulge has a bigger purpose than nutrition, it is good for our mental health.
Everything will have it's time for moderation, that'll come in January when the nation will start their nutorious "health journeys." More on that later to come!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! Cherish the time you can spend with others and give yourself some grace to enjoy your favorite comfort foods this week.
~Mrs. Jen Bafford, Mental Health Services Coordinator
Showing up to school every day is critical for children’s well-being, engagement and learning.
As colds and viruses step up this fall, be sure to use these Tips for Staying Healthy. We encourage families, educators and schools to work together to help students avoid getting sick in the first place.
It can be difficult as a parent to know when to keep a child home due to illness and help them identify when a student has anxiety. Download the Health Guidance for Going to School (English and Spanish).
Make sure to send children to school if they are:
- Generally healthy and well.
- Participating in usual day-to-day activities.
- Children can even go to school if they:
- Have a mild cold, which may include a runny nose and/or cough.
- Have eye drainage without fever, eye pain or eyelid redness.
- Have a mild stomach ache.
- Have a mild rash with no other symptoms.
- Have head lice. (Though they are annoying and should be treated, lice are not a reason to exclude a child from school.)
- Haven’t had a fever overnight and they have not taken fever-reducing medicine during that time.
Avoid keeping children at home unless they are too sick to participate.
TCS School Based Mental Health (SBMH) Therapist
"My name is La’Brittany Owens-Howard, and I am the new School-based Mental health therapist for Tallassee City Schools through Carastar Health. I have always had a passion for making a difference. I graduated from Alabama State University with my Master’s in Forensic Social Work with special courses in Mental Health in 2018 and have been in the helping profession ever since. I believe that every day we live; we’re learning and growing. So I look forward to learning and growing with not only the school system, but with the city of Tallassee as a whole. ~ GO TALLASSEE TIGERS!!"
Thanks to TCS new partnership with CARASTAR Mental Health, ADMH, & ADPH Mrs. Owens-Howard's services will include but not limited to:
- Providing professional Mental Health Therapy at all three campuses!
- Meeting with TCS families about mental health concerns.
- Coordinating mental health care and treatment plans.
Our TCS District so blessed to have her on board to provide these much needed services for our students full time!
Welcome to the TCS Family!
If you are concerned about your student, please contact Mrs. Jen Bafford, TCS Mental Health Services Coordinator, Jen.Bafford@tcschools.com, or call/text 334-415-4125.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis or having thoughts of suicide call 911 or call/text 988 immediately to talk with a trained crisis counselor for FREE, 24/7.
TCS Helping Families Initiative (HFI) Case Officer
Tierra Strickland is a resident of Wetumpka, AL. She is our new Tallassee City Schools Helping Families Initiative Case Officer, via partnership . She graduated from Wetumpka High School in 2013. She then received her bachelor's and master’s degree from Alabama State University in 2018 and 2021. In her free time, Ms. Strickland enjoys spending time with her son, family, shopping and crafting. Ms. Strickland has experience in working with adults as well as adolescents in the mental health and substance abuse arenas. She is thrilled to be apart of the Tallassee City School system and looks forward to a fulfilling career here.
As our TCS HFI Officer, Ms. Strickland works directly with families for students at risk for or experiencing attendance and/or discipline concerns. The HFI goal is to improve student success, graduation rates, and family functioning, all while reducing dropout rates, juvenile arrests, and improving the safety and learning environments for all.
Another blessing for TCS District to have the support of the Alabama District Attorney's Office through the HFI partnership.
Welcome to the TCS family!
If you are concerned about your student or in need of additional supports in these areas, please contact Ms. Stickland directly at, tierra.strickland@alada19.com or call/text 334-850-0492. Her main office is located at THS but she serves all three campuses.
Mrs. Jen Bafford
Tallassee City Schools
Mental Health Services Coordinator
Email: Jen.Bafford@tcschools.com
Main Location: 901 E B Payne Sr Dr, Tallassee, AL 36078
Call or Text: 334-415-4125
Facebook: facebook.com/MrsJenBafford
NEW page on TCS Website: https://www.tcschools.com/page/mental-health-wellness
