Message from the Safe & Healthy Homewood Collaborative:

Youth and parents alike countdown the days until summer break. Many young people look forward to more freedom during the summer months, but that freedom can lead to an increase in experimentation with tobacco, alcohol or other drugs. You are the strongest influence in your child's life. Use your influence to help your child enjoy a safe and healthy summer. 

For tips to a safe and healthy summer, click here. 

As we enter into the last weeks of our school year, many of our teens may feel overwhelmed by final exams, end-of-year activities, and preparing for the summer. Encourage your teen to try relaxation techniques that help them calm down when they are feeling overwhelmed or stressed. 

Helping your teen build healthy coping skills is one way you can protect them from alcohol and other drug use. Many teens turn to substances to escape feelings of stress and anxiety.

For more information and tips from the Safe & Healthy Homewood Collaborative, click here.

What is synthetic THC? What are the risks? Why should you be concerned? What can parents do? Click here for more information from the Safe & Healthy Homewood Collaborative.

Did you know that addiction is considered a pediatrically acquired disorder? In fact, 90% of adults that struggle with addiction began using before the age of 18. Click here for more information from the Safe & Healthy Homewood Collaborative regarding understanding the risks associated with youth marijuana use.

Congratulations to the 2023-2024 HMS Peer Helpers!

7th Grade

Ella Ayers

Sylvia Beasley

Dottie Bennett

Thomas DeLawrence

Bennett DeMoss

Mally Drouet

Vivi Evans

Elizabeth Finney

Sam Hardison

Nahomy Hernandez

Claire Johnson

Andrew Knight

Mary Logue Malki

Kate Maple

Wells Mason

Embry McGarrah

Caroline Middleton

Leah Cate Moore

Mallie Murray

Ashlynn Reed

Willa Sheehan

Lily Thompson

Bibb Wahl

Grant York

 

8th Grade

Maggie Bailey

Brady Cavin

Jack Crabtree

Asa Duncan

Iris Gibson

Luke Gillis

Katie Goodwin

Nora Green

Mary Lee Guice

Bekah Hamby

Annie Holmes

Eva Jeffries

Micah Jones

Eli Malki

Benj Moncrief

Grey Mullins

Eliza Murrill

Kathryn Peterson

Jane Serotsky

Jane Siegel

Margot Smith

Molly Tate

Raylee Tate

Van Taylor

Addison Tew

Cannon Vail

Lucy Wallace

Harper Warren

Charlotte Waters

Lois Anne Winslett

Whether your family stays home or travels this Spring Break, making it a safe and fun time is important for all. No matter what your family plans are for this coming week, click here for some tips for keeping your child safe and healthy at home or traveling. 

The Safe and Healthy Homewood Collaborative is excited to offer educational programs throughout the school year addressing topics relevant to parents of children of all ages. If you were unable to join/attend any of the programming, they have program recordings and presentations available online. Please click here to access the parent program website.

Our friends at Addiction Prevention Coalition in Birmingham are hosting a free webinar, "Understanding Teen Gaming and Tech Addiction" on Thursday, March 16th, at 10:00 am. All Homewood parents are invited to attend. For more information and to register for this webinar, click here.

March 5th-11th is National School Social Work Week, which gives Homewood City Schools an opportunity to celebrate our Student Assistance Counselors! Please click here for more information.

Did you know the prevalence of eating disorders more than doubled worldwide from 2000-2018? That is a startling increase.

Experts agree that many factors contribute to the development of eating disorders, but the influence of media seems to be at the top of everyone’s list. So how parents help our children manage the unrealistic images and harmful messages they are exposed to through media? 

Join the Safe & Healthy Homewood Collaborative for a special parent education program online this Thursday, March 2nd. The program is designed to help parents know healthy ways to talk to children about food, exercise, and their body. Remember, parents have more influence over their children than friends, music, media, and celebrities.

For more information, please click here.