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.

For more information on relaxation techniques for teens, please click here. Thank you to the Safe & Healthy Homewood Collaborative for compiling these tips!

Congratulations to the 2022-2023 HMS Peer Helpers!

7th Grade

Julia Anderson

Maggie Bailey

Graham Corscadden

Asa Duncan

Iris Gibson

Luke Gillis

Reid Goldstein

Katie Goodwin

Nora Green

Mary Lee Guice

Annie Holmes

Nolan Isley

Eva Jeffries

Micah Jones

Eli Malki

Miles McElheny

Roan Peck

Kathryn Peterson

Jane Serotsky

Jane Siegel

Margot Smith

Charles Stone

Molly Tate

Raylee Tate

Van Taylor

Addison Tew

Cannon Vail

Harper Warren

Emma Claire Wells

Lois Anne Winslett

 

8th Grade

Caeten Armstead

Josiah Batson

Caroline Boney

Margaret Cherry

Emma Cronin

Anna Denson

Mary McRae Farrell

Lauren Glover

Evie Harrison

Mary Holley

Leila Jarvis-Dabila

Miyelani Mathebula

Edwin McBride

Graham Morrow

Milly Myers

Bennett Nix

Anna Peterson

Ellie Pope

Harshini Ramesh

Cameron Samford

Allie Stuman

Anna Blakely Thompson

Charlee Kate Wilson

Anna Bayless Ydel

Whether your family stays home or travels this Spring Break, making it a safe and fun time is important for all. For some great tips from the Safe and Healthy Homewood Collaborative on having a safe break, please click here.

On January 13th, the Safe & Healthy Homewood Collaborative hosted a virtual program to equip our parents with the tools necessary to prevent teen vaping. If you were unable to join the program, the recording is available below. Watch the recording to learn more about the different types of vaping devices; health harms; communication and monitoring strategies; cessation resources for teens; and ways to support healthy choices. To access the video, click here.

The Safe & Healthy Homewood Collaborative continues to have new educational opportunities available for our parents and guardians! Please make plans to attend the next virtual parent program, "Suicide Prevention and Awareness: Question. Persuade. Refer. Training," presented by Candace Headland, Certified QPR Instructor. For more information and to access the program, click here.

Please make plans to join the Safe & Healthy Collaborative for their next virtual parent program, "Understanding Eating Disorders," presented by Katie White, Assistant Clinical Director at A Center for Eating Disorders. The program will be on Friday, March 4th, from 12-1pm. For more information and to attend the event, please click here.

Current 6th or 7th grade students interested in being a 2022-2023 HMS Peer Helper should look in the "2022-2023 HMS Peer Helper Information and Application" folder located in the "Materials" section of their Counselor Course. This folder contains information regarding the application process, requirements, application questions, and the application. All applications must be completed and submitted by 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. No late or incomplete applications will be accepted. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Baldwin (abaldwin@homewood.k12.al.us).

Please make plans to join the Safe & Healthy Homewood Collaborative for their next virtual parent program, hosted in partnership with prevention organizations from around our state. Learn steps that you can take to prevent youth alcohol access and underage drinking. For more information and to join the virtual program, click here.

As parents, most of us enjoy picking out special treats for our children in celebration of Valentine's Day. This year, consider intentional ways to build a sense of self-worth in your child. Teaching youth to love and value themselves is the best Valentine's gift you can give!

 

For specific tips and key steps to building self-worth in youth from The Child Mind Institute, click here.

 

Thank you to the Safe and Healthy Homewood Collaborative for putting this information together!

This week is National School Counseling Week and we are excited to celebrate alongside some of the best school counselors around! 

 

Click here for more information from the Safe & Healthy Homewood Collaborative. 

 

You can also click here to learn more about the Alabama School Counselor Association and national events this week!