December 22, 2020

 

Dear Pine-Richland Families,

 

The holiday season is here and is always an exciting time to celebrate with family and friends. This year has been a challenge, and at times it feels that our world has been disrupted and turned upside down. The holiday season will also look different for everyone this year. Typical holiday stress compounded with the impact of COVID-19 may cause a substantial increase in stress, anxiety, and depression. The reasons for emotional distress may vary such as the disruption of school and family routines, loss of social connections, family discord, financial hardships, loss of a loved one, substance use, and mental illness. Together, we need to support and care for one another. We are going to get through this! 

 

The following is a list of resources for your children, family, neighbors, and community members with links to more information on each: 

Student Assistance Program (SAP) - K-12 is a systematic team process used to navigate school and mental health resources for students and families to remove barriers to a child’s learning. At this time, all SAP services and mental health screenings, as well as groups, will be available virtually. The following is a link Pine-Richland’s SAP and

team members for each school building along with resource numbers: Student Assistance Program / Overview.

School-Based Mental Health Counseling - K-12 is a partnership between Pine-Richland and Holy Family Institute. The outpatient mental health counseling services are provided either in person with safety guidelines in place or through telehealth to students and families. New intakes for outpatient referrals can be completed by contacting your school counselor and/or directly contacting Holy Family Services at 412-766-9020, ext. 1222.

Suicide Prevention and Intervention - K-12 - We encourage all parents, school staff, and students to review Preventing Youth Suicide Risk Factors and Warning Signs, as well as the Helping Handout for the Home Environment. Students who are experiencing suicidal ideation often do not directly seek help. Parents, school personnel, and students can recognize the warning signs and observe changes in behavior. Enclosed is the Youth Alliance Help Hotlines, CDC Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19, and Pine-Richland Suicide Prevention and Intervention. 

We continue to partner with The Highmark Caring Place to provide virtual support, grief resources and materials, consultation services, educational training, and peer support groups. The following are links to some wonderful resources you can reference over the holiday season in the midst of the pandemic and experiencing grief and loss: Grief — Brochures, Grief — Grief and the Holidays and How Do We Celebrate Holidays Now? 

 

The Pennsylvania Department of Education offers a list of Resources to Support Families to offer support, services, and information that help children and families with their basic needs (i.e., food resources, shelters, benefits, child care, internet safety, unemployment compensation, utility assistance, medical assistance). 

Pine-Richland School District’s food service provider Sodexo is pleased to offer families free meals through the end of the 2020-2021 school year regardless of income thanks to a meal waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture. This allows ALL children in the PR community to have access to nutritious food as the nation recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, click here.

The RAMS (Respectful, Accountable, Motivated, and Safe) Way - K-12, is a districtwide positive behavioral support and intervention program that encourages a positive school climate for all students and staff members. Across the district, we continue to implement RAMS Way through a virtual platform. In the elementary buildings (K-3), the school counselors and principals are joining classes to talk to students and build connections with students as well as encouraging self-care.

 

Eden Hall Upper Elementary will be connecting with students and families through a virtual family talent show. PR Virtual Academy (K-6), participates in Friday Fundays, which is an hour of the day focusing on connections through digital escape rooms, scavenger hunts, and show and tell.

 

The middle school continues to engage and implement RAMS Way by virtually teaching the expectations, and providing students with virtual tickets and rewards. At the high school, they continue to use the Healthy School Matrix and participated in World Kindness day by mailing home kindness tokens to students.

 

We are looking forward to 2021 and wish our Pine-Richland families health, happiness, and peace throughout the holiday season.

 

 

Respectfully

Dr. Maura Paczan, Lead Psychologist

Dr. Melissa Ramirez, Psychologist (7-12)

Dr. Taylour Kimmel, Psychologist ( K-6)

Mr. Noel Hustwit, Dir. of Student Services & Special Education

If you recognize or hear info raising concern:

 

Directly report potential concerns to: