It has been another exciting week at Eisenhower! Our Eagles continue to show us what it means to Empower, Engage, and Excel both in and out of the classroom.
Today, our students showed up in their very best dress for Picture Day, and it was wonderful to see their school spirit and confidence shining throughout the building.
During our half day this week, students were also engaged in spreading positivity by writing positive quotes and messages that represented our school. These simple acts of kindness are a great reminder that our words have the power to encourage, inspire, and make someone’s day a little brighter.
We are proud of the energy, enthusiasm, and positive spirit our students continue to bring to Eisenhower. Thank you for your continued partnership in helping our Eagles grow as respectful, responsible, and safe students who are ready to Empower, Engage, and Excel!
SIGNS OF SUICIDE
This year school staff are working to teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. We are using a program called SOS Signs of Suicide. The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages them to seek help. SOS has been used by thousands of schools for over 20 years. Studies have shown that it effectively teaches students about depression and suicide while reducing the number of students’ self-reported suicide attempts. Through the program, students learn:
that depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help
how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend
to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend
who they can turn to at school for help
Students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. At the end of class, students will complete an exit slip which asks whether they would like to talk to an adult about any concerns. School staff will conduct brief meetings with any student asking to talk. We encourage you to visit www.mindwise.org/parents for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn. If you have any questions or concerns about your student’s participation in this program please contact me at 847-357-5508 or any of our school counselors.