May is Mental Health Awareness Month and May 10-14 is Student Mental Health Week. Mental health is essential to our overall health and well-being. Please read and share the resources below with family and friends to build awareness of the importance of mental health.
Since May is Mental Health Month, we wanted to share some things you can do to take care of your mental health.
1. Value yourself
2. Take care of your body
3. Surround yourself with good people
4. Give of yourself through volunteer work
5. Learn how to deal with stress
6. Quiet your mind
7. Set realistic goals
8. Break up the monotony
9. Avoid alcohol and drugs
10. Get help when you need it
For more details on these strategies, please click here.
The Educational App Store offers age-appropriate curriculum-relevant apps for your learner. The apps are teacher reviewed and cover multiple subjects areas. This is a great resource to support learning for both parents and teachers. Check it out here.
Each year, new bills affecting education in California are introduced. The latest, AB 1316, is currently making its way through the California State Legislature. As voters and constituents, you have the ability to let your representatives know where you stand.
There are many ways to share your voices (phone calls, emails, social media). By far, the most effective method is to attend legislative meetings in person or virtually.
One of iLEAD’s parent volunteers, Sharon Lord Greenspan, is offering training every other week through the end of June to demonstrate setting up, running, and following up on a meeting with your representatives. You can email her here if you are interested in attending any of these meetings.
FunBrain is a website that has several interactive games, books, videos, and more to keep your learner engaged and learning. You can browse by grade and search through all kinds of activities for your learner’s level of education. Click here to check it out!
National Geographic has awesome videos with cool mind games and quizzes for kids to play and enjoy. They have lots of animal videos about mammals and reptiles, and even a series called “Spaced Out” where you can learn all about space! This is a great resource for your learner’s education in history, science, and more! Click here to check it out!
The El Dorado Charter SELPA has a variety of resources available for parents on their website. This includes information on parent rights, understanding the IEP process, and even some helpful tools for your learners during COVID-19. Click here to check it out!
What is Testing Anxiety?
While it’s completely normal to feel a bit nervous before a test, some learners find test anxiety debilitating. Racing thoughts, inability to concentrate, or feelings of dread can combine with physical symptoms like a fast heartbeat, headache, or nausea.
How Can I Prepare for State Testing?
1. Realize that there are practice tests available and use them not only to work on your test-taking but also to practice controlling your anxiety level. If you’re afraid of not being able to finish the exam in time, use timed practice questions.
2. Remind yourself of past successes. You can do it!
3. Visualize completing the test successfully despite your anxiety.
4. Get a good night’s sleep for several days before the exam. With adequate sleep, your ability to think clearly and deal with anxiety will improve.
5. High anxiety can increase with high consumptions of caffeine. Try to avoid over-caffeinating on the day of the exam.
6. Eat a nutritious breakfast before the test and pack smart snacks for ongoing energy. Look for foods that offer a steady stream of nutrients, rather than a sugar high followed by a crash.
7. Feeling rushed will only amp up the anxiety. Prepare everything you need for the exam the night before and set your alarm.
Most of our learners will be taking the CAASPP remotely this year. Click here to check out the family resources available to help you and your learner better prepare for test day.
