Updates For January 31-February 4, 2022
Hello Alma Families! Here are the 5 things you need to know today to keep up to date this week:
- Beginning on February 14, the Upper Grand District School Board is collecting information on student health and well-being from youth, parents/guardians/caregivers, and school staff. The Well-Being and Health Youth Surveys are designed to help us understand how well we are doing creating safe, welcoming, and inclusive environments in our schools. It also provides important information about the physical and mental health of youth in our area. More information will be sent on February 7th.
- The UGDSB is currently celebrating our Black Heritage, Black Brilliance, Black Futures month. We will be learning more about this in classes here at Alma PS but you can also learn more about this important initiative here:
https://www.ugdsb.ca/blog/ugdsb-celebrates-black-heritage-black-brilliance-black-futures-month/.
- Please see below for a link to register for a Webinar offered tomorrow, Thursday, February 3, which is being offered by the UGDSB Parent Involvement Committee , “Nurturing Resilience Through Community Involvement” which is hosted by the Canadian Mental Health Association – Waterloo Wellington.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0EVaCOWkT6uPSr7B2V8viw
- Our next School Council Meeting will be held next Thursday, February 10 at 6:30 PM. We will be welcoming our Trustee, Robin Ross, as she joins us virtually. She is going to be sharing about a new initiative to create a North Wellington Hub to help connect community needs with community partners. If you’re not on our School Council mailing list, please let us know you would like to be added by emailing the school at [email protected].
- The Grove Youth Wellness Hub of Fergus is offering a free online webinar focusing on the topic of the adolescent brain. It will be held on Tuesday, February 15 from 7:00-8:30 PM. For more information please email them at [email protected] with your name, the names of those who will be attending with you, emails for all participants, and your phone number. Below is some information about the event:
ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP
Teenage Brain: a young, live, and powerful organ organizing itself in preparation for adult life and still in need of much freedom, support, care, and guidance during its development. What does this growth look like? What are the myths and the facts that have been associated with its development? Where do the teen brain’s powerful feelings, mighty motivations, risk-taking, and resilience making come from?
This presentation will provide parents and caregivers with a brief introduction to the development and organization of the adolescent brain. We will discuss how these physiological changes affect our teens’ behaviors and their relationships with family and peers in the contest of the many developmental tasks teens are progressively meeting during adolescence. Discussion will additionally focus on the critical role that parents play in supporting their teens’ brain growth during these difficult and incredibly formative years.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
- An introduction to understanding the adolescent brain
- The context: adolescence developmental tasks
- Caregivers’ role in supporting teens’ brain’s development
- Q&A discussion with parents
Hosted by The Grove Wellington Guelph Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario – Fergus location, with social workers Terra Venator and Monica Hinrichs.
Terra Venator is a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University. She is currently practicing as a Mental Health Clinician at the Grove Youth Wellness Hubs in Fergus, Palmerston, and Erin. Terra has over 5 years of experience working with children and youth. Monica Hinrichs is a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University. She is also a Registered Art Therapist. Monica is currently employed by CMHA WW in her dual role of Clinical Practice Lead of Children Services and Mental Health Clinician with the 6-18 Children’s Program in Guelph. Monica has been employed by CMHA WW for the past three decades.
Thanks as always for your continued support. If there’s anything the school can do to help, please let us know. We’re here to help!
Take care,
Jason Boyce
Principal Alma PS
Categories: News