Updates on how NVUSD is creating safe, respectful, and caring schools through Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Wellness Programs! Improving the health, well-being and education success of our students means attending to school-wide culture and individual student needs .

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Middle School Wellness Centers Already Showing Impact on Depression and Suicidal Thinking

Did you know that approximately 60 students per day visit their Wellness Center at each of our 4 middle schools? As evidenced by recent California Healthy Kids Survey results, depression and suicidal thinking in our middle schools is finally dropping after years of static numbers. In previous years up to 15% of 7th graders reported considering suicide and this year the number dropped to 12%. While high school numbers continue to climb, we are crediting the Middle School Wellness Centers, which just celebrated two Ribbon Cutting ceremonies last month, with the boost in mental health for youth. Wellness Centers combine district staff such as school social worker, counselors, psychologist and school nurse with community providers from Aldea and NCOE who work together to meet students mental and physical health concerns. Between caring staff, a comforting environment, and coordinated care, students are now much more likely to refer each other to the Wellness Center than when services were more clinical, decentralized and less organized.

We hope next year to be awarded another grant which would make opening a new Wellness Center at ACHS a reality!

NVUSD Response to Students Stress & Anxiety in Post-Election Climate

As immigration policy changes day to day, uncertainty can cause our students and their families feelings of stress and anxiety. Taking time to address mental health can be beneficial during this process. NVUSD has developed an Immigrant Resource Kit to provide families with tools to support them during these times. There are several area non-profit organizations that are able to provide mental health support and legal assistance in both English and Spanish

Chico USD Visits Silverado and Browns Valley

Last month Silverado and Browns Valley hosted 26 administrators, teachers and psychologists from Chico Unified to better understand PBIS and Wellness, our multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) model. Browns Valley modeled how we prevent problem behavior through PBIS (Tier 1) and classroom circles. Silverado demonstrated how their Wellness Centers expand our Tier 2 & Tier 3 responses to emotional and behavioral challenges through a coordinated services approach which incorporates Restorative Practices, counseling, and collaboration with Community Based Organizations. Next tour will be on April 28th and all are welcome!

West Park has Model Response to School Lockdown

At 2 PM the school was informed by a grandparent of shooting in the neighborhood. They immediately went into action calling for a school lock-down and by the time our SRO Eric Thompson arrived minutes later all doors were locked, classrooms were dark, and all was quiet. Still, students had to wait for over an hour for the all clear. One classroom teacher said, "We just laid on our tummys and read Jack and Annie (Magic Treehouse)." Teachers worked hard to make it a positive experience, even when some had to assist up to 5 bathroom breaks using the new emergency buckets! The next day the Student Services Crisis Response Team and our School Resource Officers facilitated bringing Aaron the Comfort Dog and spent time with teachers, parents and students. Student Services created a classroom circle script for students and their teachers to debrief and express their feelings. When asked in the circle, "What makes you feel safe?" Students is Mrs. McClinticks's class said, "You make us feel safe, teacher." Our teachers are so brave, and so important. Thank you for keeping our kids safe and calm during such trying circumstances!

Upcoming Events

Ever wonder how another school handles lunch procedures, discipline, or classroom circles? Come see for yourself! PBIS Culture & Climate Walks are scheduled on April 28th for our PBIS Site Leads and administrators. We will have an Elementary tour and a Secondary Tour, each visiting two schools.

For more information contact Laura Mooiman

This is Your Brain on Exercise

Research offers new insights into brain metabolism and why exercise could become an important part of treating depression and other neuropsychiatric disorders. See the article.

Preventing Bullying and Cyberbullying

Read Child Trends' Policy Brief regarding research-based policy recommendations for executive and legislative officials in 2017. NVUSD now has a Bullying Response Protocol we asking our schools to pilot and give feedback on. California Health Kids Data shows that bullying including verbal and physical is declining at elementary, middle, and high school. The only area of increase is cyber-bullying in our middle schools. If you are interested in doing more to prevent Cyber-bullying at your school, consider using the Teachers Start Up Guide adapted from Common Sense Media. Compiled by our credentialed librarians, this is a wonderful resource to directly teacher digital citizenship and prevent bullying for our students.

School Climate Linked to Math and Reading

The onset of adolescence can play havoc with students' academic performance, as heightened social pressures, bullying and a changing sense of self-identity make it harder for kids to focus on a book report or math homework. Yet a strong, positive school climate may help counter that upheaval, suggests a new study of California middle school students using data from the California Healthy Kids Survey. Researchers from the Regional Educational Lab West found that 7th graders' math and reading scores rose and fell over time with their belief that their schools had a welcoming climate. Learn more

Napa Valley Unified School District - Student Services Department - PBIS & Wellness Office

707-253-3815 x. 4877| [email protected] | nvusdwellness.org

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