The Janus School’s Post

Today is #GivingTuesday, and I wanted to share about the important work we do at Closegap! Closegap is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that makes it simple for schools to support the emotional health of K-12 students.  Through a fun, developmentally appropriate check-in, students answer a series of questions related to their emotions, energy level, and physical needs. This data is then organized and delivered to school staff through an easy-to-use dashboard so they can intervene in real time.  Schools using Closegap have prevented suicides and uncovered cases of self-harm, sexual assault, bullying and trouble at home that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. Our goal is to raise $20K to keep our tool completely free for schools and districts, and support the mental health of more K-12 students. You can donate here: https://lnkd.in/geX-Rkbp

With your help, we are crowdfunding $50,000 in order to have $5 million in impact towards our mission of getting the curriculum known as Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) into ALL SCHOOLS in America. Research shows how teaching SEL from pre-K to 12 is the most remarkable proven way to elevate student lives, wellbeing and school performance. (See our website EquipOurKids.org for details.) Every $1 we spend on awareness and advocacy leads to school funding many times more than that, which in turn leads to $11 in beneficial upside from a combination of economic development and cost savings on education and social pain costs like crime and addiction, according to a Columbia U study. In addition, we’ve helped raise national parent awareness of SEL from 5% of parent six years ago to nearly 75%. But lots remans to be done to get SEL properly implemented in our schools. You may be aware that 36% of young adults are suffering from anxiety and depression, while 20% of teens have seriously considered attempting suicide(!). There is a full-blown mental health crisis happening now that SEL can help mitigate. The good news is that with the proper support starting in elementary school, children can be saved from mental health challenges and become sterling students and citizens. You can help by donating now at https://lnkd.in/gKYpR7U

We recommend reading this report by Education Policy Institute, in which it talks about the rise in the number of suspensions in secondary schools and makes some very useful suggestions on what schools should do to reduce suspensions and #exclusions. Data from the report shows that young people with social, emotional or mental health needs were more likely to be suspended. It's vital that schools support pupils with these needs, this is where an inclusive, whole-school #nurturing approach can help. This links to the work that we are doing as part of the Inclusive and Nurturing Schools Programme, as it helps to keep children and young people safe and supported in school, and to tackle exclusions by implementing the nurturing approach, to ensure that pupils are ready and able to learn. 📚💜

I have a passion project that helps student athletes and parents with resources on mental health, alcohol, and drug prevention, educational, and other resources, @NILInsight. I recently had an awesome conversation with the Executive Director of Champions for Literacy, Jason Baker, who leads this amazing non-profit that utilizes the power of sports to impact childhood reading. They partner with sports teams, athletes at all levels, and corporate partners to ensure all kids are inspired to become great readers. Their core principles are founded on: 1. Reading is transformative. 2. Sports have the unique ability to rally communities around this cause. Please visit www.championsforlit.org or email [email protected] for more information. “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body."

🌟 Discover How Schools Are Shaping Futures: Read Our Latest Article! 🌟 Interested in how education can play a transformative role in steering youth away from toxic paths like substance abuse, violence, and negative peer pressure? Dive into this compelling article, "Schools as Catalysts for Change: The Crucial Role of Education in Preventing Youth from Pursuing Toxic Paths." Learn about the community schools model and how it integrates essential life lessons into the curriculum to foster positive futures. 📚 Key Highlights: The vital role of educational institutions in shaping young minds. How support systems within schools like counseling and mentorship offer alternatives to negative influences. The impact of community engagement and the power of early intervention. Don't miss out on this insightful read that underscores the pivotal role schools play as foundations of influence and safety nets for our youth. Let's empower our schools to continue being strong catalysts for positive change! 👉 #EducationPrevents #SafeSchools #YouthEmpowerment #CommunitySchools #ReadNow #newblogpost https://wix.to/RKAC8as

My daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia. What do I do now? Where do I go for support? When your child is diagnosed with dyslexia, it provides valuable information about their strengths and challenges, allowing you to seek the right support. Here are steps to take: Ask questions: Reach out to teachers, healthcare providers, and other parents to understand what dyslexia means for your child. Talk with your child: Discuss dyslexia openly at home, reassuring your child that it's not something to be ashamed of and doesn't reflect their intelligence. Know what comes next at school: If evaluated by the school, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be developed for support. Understand the IEP process and explore options if privately evaluated. Discover what helps: Learn about multisensory instruction to aid dyslexic children with reading and explore strategies for home. Connect with other families: Join communities like Understood's Wunder app to connect with parents facing similar challenges. Recognize strengths: While focusing on challenges, celebrate your child's strengths and accomplishments. Share success stories: Highlight individuals thriving with dyslexia to inspire and help your child see beyond the challenges. https://lnkd.in/gc3YhSF9 #dyslexiaawareness #StrengthsandWeaknesses #ReadingandWriting #DyslexiaSupport

For all school staff and for families who are navigating School Can’t daily - please read this thoughtful and very relevant article by Paul Daley.

Back-to-School Prep Resources for Parents & Kids 📚🎒 It’s normal for kids (and parents) to feel a mix of excitement and anxiety as the new school year approaches. Whether transitioning to a new grade, meeting new teachers, or adjusting to routines, having the right resources can make all the difference. We’ve compiled some insightful guides in our latest blog post to help your family feel ready and supported: 1️⃣ Coping with Back-to-School Anxiety: Learn ways to ease common worries and help your child manage first-day jitters. 2️⃣ Back-to-School Transition Tips: Explore strategies to help parents and kids transition smoothly into the school year. 3️⃣ Supporting Kids with School Anxiety: Discover expert advice on supporting children who may feel overwhelmed about returning to school. 4️⃣ Back-to-School Manifesto for Families: Check out this creative and empowering tool to build excitement and set positive intentions for the school year. Read it now at https://lnkd.in/g5_7yb65 And don’t forget—our Backpack Drive is in full swing. A backpack filled with school supplies means hope and confidence for a local child living in poverty. For just $40, you can help them succeed in school — and in life! 👏 Donate today at https://lnkd.in/g6AVVFet Let’s make this back-to-school season one filled with confidence, calm, and growth ✨ #BackToSchool #SchoolPrep #ParentingTips #YouthEmpowerment #YouthLeadership #Mentorship

We're ramping up for #GivingTuesday2023 (the global generosity movement on November 28th), and we've already hit 37% of our goal!! Will you help us reach our goal? Donate Now: https://lnkd.in/gc2TKzfH What we do: Closegap is a free mental health check-in for K-12 students. Through a fun, developmentally appropriate check-in, students answer a series of questions related to their emotions, energy level, and physical needs. This data is then organized and delivered to school staff through an easy-to-use dashboard so they can intervene in real time. Schools using Closegap have prevented suicides and uncovered cases of self-harm, sexual assault, bullying, and trouble at home that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. 🤗 It’s a win-win:  Students learn to label, understand and regulate their emotions, and are provided with a new, direct line to school staff to express their emotional needs.  School staff are able to monitor and intervene on student needs in real time and at scale. 🧠 Why Closegap’s work is so important:  We’re facing a youth mental health crisis. Youth anxiety, depression and suicide have been on the rise for the past decade, and exacerbated by the pandemic. Today, suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds.  Schools are on the frontlines of this crisis, and represent an enormous opportunity to strengthen our mental health safety net, yet they are often short-staffed and under-resourced. Closegap equips schools with the technology and data to more effectively support the mental health of K-12 students. We’re trying to raise $20K, so every bit counts! You can donate here: https://lnkd.in/gc2TKzfH THANK YOU! Your support means a lot.

Did you know? Only about 50% of teen mothers receive a high school diploma by the age of 22, compared to approximately 90% of their peers who do not experience teen parenthood. The challenge is even greater among Black teen mothers, who face systemic barriers that make educational attainment particularly difficult. At The Puddle Project, we're dedicated to changing this narrative. Our services provide essential support like tutoring and academic counseling specifically designed for teen moms. 📚✨ Why does this matter? Education is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty. By helping teen mothers graduate high school and explore higher education opportunities, we open doors to economic independence and stable employment. Join the mission to empower teen moms. Every diploma earned is a step toward a brighter future for them and their children. 🔗Learn more: www.thepuddleproject.org. #thepuddleproject #teen #moms #teenmoms #support #education #equity #nonprofit #community #bridgingthegap #economicindependence #empower #brightfutures