AAA Elementary Weekly Newsletter

We had a great and busy week! Students took their first iReady tests, we had our first big Rise and Shine event, and we had picture day (make up day is Nov 3)! Thank you for sharing your wonderful children with us. They are such a joy and they make AAA the amazing school that it is. Thank you for trusting us with them each day! We can't wait to see every family this week for conferences on September 29.

Rachel Carethers

Principal

School begins at 8:00. Students arriving at school after 8:00 are considered tardy. Why is it important to be at school on time? Teachers begin instruction at 8:00. Students who are late miss important instruction and start their day with more stress and anxiety. The car line usually takes less than 90 seconds to get through from Subbert Lane, to driving away every day after the initial rush at 7:30.

Please make attendance at school a priority. If students are not at school, they will get behind. We want to spend as much time as possible teaching your kids and helping them achieve at their highest levels. We can't teach them when they aren't here with us! We understand that students get sick and there are some days this prevents them from being at school. Please prioritize attendance every day that your student is not sick.

Did you know our school's grade given to us by the state includes not only achievement data, but ALSO student attendance data? Higher attendance from students can increase our school's grade in addition to increasing your student's success!

All teachers will hold conferences with families to update them on the progress their students' have made this year. Teachers will be scheduling conferences this week. We want to see every family during conference time! Translators will be available for families who primarily speak another language.

At your conference, teachers will review current academic and social progress, ACT aspire scores (for current 4th-6th graders), and iReady scores for all students.

We will also have stations set up to answer questions about Rooms, CHARIS, and essentials classes.

Mrs. Bouwhuis will also have a family art activity set up for everyone to contribute to.

Each completed application helps us become eligible for increased funding. We are only a few applications away from the next level of federal funding to help ALL AAA students.

Submit your completed application before September 25, 2023 and you'll be entered to win a $200.00 Visa Gift Card! We need all applications completed this week.

Check your student's lunch account balance and add funds using mypaymentsplus.com.

September is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. According to the American Foundation on Suicide Prevention, talking is the first step to preventing suicide. It is a myth that talking about suicide will make things worse, when actually starting conversations about mental health can lead to connecting someone to help or supporting someone who has had a loss. According to the AFSP, “It’s time we talk away the dark.” Normalizing that mental health is just as important as physical health and noticing when someone is struggling by offering an empathetic statement can open a path for support and receiving professional help.

WARNING SIGNS AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS

Warning signs of depression and suicide, according to the Child Mind Institute and Center for Disease Control, are changes in behavior, such as reckless behavior, isolation from friends and family, mood swings, problems or changes in eating and sleeping patterns, feelings of hopelessness, talking about being a burden to others or not belonging, giving away belongings, talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain, dropping grades, increased substance use, talking about suicide or wanting to die, writing or drawing about suicide, or acting it out in play. The CDC identified protective factors as having effective coping and problem-solving skills, reasons for living (family, friends, pets), a strong sense of cultural identity, support from family, feeling connected to friends, community, and other social outlets, available consistent physical and behavioral healthcare, reduced access to lethal means, and cultural and/or religious beliefs that encourage connection and seeking help.

In addition, the CDC recommends helping children stay mentally and emotionally healthy by having a healthy eating plan with fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, participating in a physical activity each day, getting the recommended amount of sleep each night (9-12 hours for school-aged children), and practicing mindfulness or relaxation techniques.

PROFESSIONAL HELP RESOURCES

Adults and children experiencing suicidal thoughts can have immediate access to help through the below lifelines and agencies:

• If there is imminent danger, call 911, do not leave the person alone, and remove any objects that could be used to harm.
• National Suicide Lifeline - Call 988, available 24/7/365.
• Crisis Text Line - Text HOME to 741741.
• Arkansas Children’s Behavioral Health Resource Line: (501) 364-4411 (available M-F, 8-5)
• Two mental health hospitals in the NWA area offer free 24-hour level of care assessments:
• Springwoods Behavioral Health (479) 973-6000. (Serves ages 12 and older)
• Vantage Point Behavioral Health (479) 521-5731 (Serves children below 12 as well as older)
• Arkansas Children’s Hospital Northwest is another provider for assessing children’s safety needs and offers an ER department. (479) 309-5391

AAA SCHOOL-BASED MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY RESOURCES

We have two school-based therapists as well as a U of A graduate social work intern this year at the elementary campus. Please see their bios below.

Suzanne Hubbard, who holds a Master's in Social Work from the University of Arkansas works at Chenal Family Therapy, (479)-595-0333. She has worked in school-based therapy for several years and enjoys the opportunity to be in the school environment, where the clients are, every day.

Megan Beard, with Water's Edge Counseling, holds a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Master's degree in Counseling from the University of Arkansas. She has worked in a variety of settings in the Northwest Arkansas Community for over 12 years, including outpatient clinic, school-based, in-home services, and private practice. She is trained in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy based techniques and has training in play interventions, such as client-centered play therapy and sand tray. She is married to Robert Beard, who teaches at AAA High School. They have two daughters, Mirabel and Bricelyn. Water's Edge phone number is (479) 621-0301.

Jenna Mullins is a social work intern from the University of Arkansas. She is from Fort Smith and is currently seeking a Master's in Social Work. Jenna loves spending time with her dog, Lily, and all things coffee. She has already begun to support students individually with self-regulation and coping skills and has started some Lunch Bunches to help students with social and sensory needs.

Note: Jenna is also available to support students, if there are concerns with insurance coverage or current insurance is not matching with our two school-based providers.

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS SUICIDE PREVENTION WALK

The American Foundation on Suicide Prevention will host an Out of the Darkness Northwest Arkansas Walk at Orchard Park in Bentonville October 8. Please see the link below to register, if you would like to participate in the walk. The walks offer a safe place for people to open up about their own connections and promote a culture that’s more knowledgeable about mental health.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)

Parents, please reach out to me at ashover@artsk12.org or 479-877-1739 if you have questions or concerns regarding your child or would like to discuss community resources further.