Winter Dance 2010

Suicide Prevention

     In light of the recent tragedy at the high school, I though it might be important to highlight some information for parents.  There is a good article in the December 2010 issue of Current Health Teens titled "Understanding Suicide: Why It's a Bigger Risk than You think and How to Recognize the Signs".  If you would like a copy of the magazine, please contact me.
     Knowing that depression can lead to suicide, I will start with some classic signs of depression:  sleeplessness, problems in school, withdrawal from friends, sudden mood changed and threatening to harm self.  It seems like these may be easy to identify, but those signs can be east to miss.  Nearly 8% of girls and 5% of boys of high school age will receive depression diagnoses.  However, only one of three will get help for their depression.  The best way to help is through counseling and sometime antidepressant medication.  Studies show that  both therapies are extremely effective for teens, with a success rate of 80 percent.  Teens taking antidepressants should be in therapy to monitor the success of the medications.

Warning Signs

-A person may be depressed if, for at least two weeks, he or she has . . .

Acted down or withdrawn from friends, school and activities.

- Not acted like himself/herself

-Had trouble with eating or sleeping-either too little or too much.

-complained of stomachaches, headaches, a racing heart, or shorness of breath.

-started acting out, skipping school, or not doing homework.

-acted tense, anxious, and unable to relax

-been unable to concentrate, think, or remember things.

-started cutting himself or herself, drinking, using drugs, or acting recklessly.

-talked about being a failure or a disappointment to others.

-been extremely angry, hostile, irritable, or aggressive.

-been very lethargic.

-talked about or wished for death.

If you suspect your child may suffer from depression, please contact your doctor.  

How Your Can Talk To Your Child

     It is best to use open-ended questions when talking with your student.  If you ask a yes or no question, the conversation can be shut down easily.  Try open-ended questions or statements like:

"I'm worried about you.  You don't seem like yourself."

"How have you been feeling?"

"I am noticing some changes in you.  Tell me what's going on."

"Why don't you talk about things anymore?"

Although teenagers can shut down quickly, keep trying to talk.  This will let them know you care!

For more information, please visit: 

www.yellowribbon.org

www.suicidepreventionlifeling.org

www.afsp.org

Fundraiser Celebration

Washington D.C. Photos

Students in Need of Winter Coats

If you know of any student that is in need of a winter coat, please contact me!  With the cold weather approaching, I want to make sure all students have the necessary attire to keep warm during our cold winter months.  When you contact me, it is anonymous and I will get the coats to the students discretely! Please call me at 285-3417, with students information.

Mix It Up!

Today students participated in the Mix It Up! day at lunch.  For the most part, students were really excited about getting their country and sitting somewhere new.  The lunchroom was a little quieter today, but I saw several students take advantage of the opportunity and start conversations with students they hardly know!  WAY TO GO! 

Blades For Grades & All Star Attendance

Dubuque River Museum Field Trip

Clubs

This week, students will start a new session of clubs.  The clubs that were offered this quarter are:

Aquarium Fun, Bags, Bananagrams, Board Games, Book Club, Builders Club, Card Club, Checkers, Chess, Computer Club, Craft I, Craft II, Cribbage, DFYIT (Drug Free Youth In Touch), Dice Games, Drawing, Drama, Euchre, Fishing Lures & Such, Knitting, Lego, Manicure, Movie revie, Wrestling Club, Scrapbooking, Soccer, Sporcle, Unified Wii, and Yoga.  

We really have a lot for kids to choose from.  Clubs meet during AT time on Fridays.

2nd Quarter Begins!

     Wow, where did the first quarter go?  We are 1/4 of the way through the school year!  I would like to say to everyone that this class is a really nice group of kids.  They really are respectful, caring and want to work hard!                            

     As we move closer to Halloween, the junior high students do not celebrate by wearing costumes.  The seventh grade language arts teachers will "celebrate" by having Scary Stories.  Students have been working on creating a story, that is of course scary, and will share them on Friday, October 28th.  Traditionally, this has been A LOT of fun and excitement for the teachers and students! 

     The first progress report for second quarter will be sent home with your student on Tuesday, November 9th.  We give them to students that day and expect them to share the results with you that night.  If you student forgot to bring it home, please contact me and I will get one out to you. 

     

    

The Fall Dance