TLC NEWSLETTER Nov 2022

November Highlights

• Families enjoyed two field trips this month -- to the San Diego Safari Park and The Jurassic World Exhibition, where dinosaurs came to life and students experienced up-close encounters and learned the science behind different species.
• TLC Teen Club students also had a special guided tour of the San Diego Safari Park that included a STEM Careers in Conservation educational program and an up-close animal encounter.

Self-Gratitude

Much of this season is focused on giving and gratitude. According to the research, actively and intentionally practicing gratitude does the following:

• Helps us cope with stress
• Regulates our emotions
• Makes us happier
• Improves our health (mental and physical)
• Nurtures relationships
• Activates learning

An important part of gratitude that is sometimes overlooked is self-gratitude. What does this mean exactly? It has been described as being grateful for who you are and what you have to offer.

Rather than being selfish or vain, this is a key way to develop self-compassion, self-esteem, and self-worth. This not only helps you feel happier and healthier, but will likely help others as well through strengthening interpersonal relationships and connections.

How to practice self-gratitude

Below is a gratitude activity for all ages. To practice self-gratitude you can do this activity with yourself in mind. What things are you thankful for about yourself?

National School Psychology Week (Nov 7-11)

Each year, National School Psychology Week takes place the second week of November. This is a time to raise awareness about what School Psychologists do, and how they can support students.

Who are School Psychologists and what do they do?

The following description is taken from The National Association of School Psychologists:

School psychologists are uniquely qualified members of school teams that support students' ability to learn and teachers' ability to teach. They apply expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, to help children and youth succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. School psychologists partner with families, teachers, school administrators, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community.

What Training Do School Psychologists Receive?

School psychologists receive specialized advanced graduate preparation that includes coursework and practical experiences relevant to both psychology and education. School psychologists typically complete either a specialist-level degree program (at least 60 graduate semester hours) or a doctoral degree (at least 90 graduate semester hours), both of which include a year-long 1,200 hour supervised internship.

What Do School Psychologists Do?

School psychologists provide direct support and interventions to students, consult with teachers, families, and other school-employed mental health professionals (i.e., school counselors, school social workers) to improve support strategies, work with school administrators to improve school-wide practices and policies, and collaborate with community providers to coordinate needed services.

Why Do Children Need School Psychologists?

All children and youth can face problems from time to time related to learning; social relationships; making difficult decisions; or managing emotions such as feeling depressed, anxious, worried, or isolated. School psychologists help students, families, educators, and members of the community understand and resolve both long-term, chronic problems and short-term issues that students may face. They are a highly skilled and ready resource in the effort to ensure that all children and youth thrive in school, at home, and in life.

Meatless Mondays

The following comes from our friends at The Monday Campaigns. This month we are sharing information about the benefits of going meatless at least one day a week. As The Monday Campaigns team explains:

A healthy body relies on protein. This essential macronutrient is responsible for many functions, including building muscle, bone and skin, repairing tissue, aiding in digestion, and regulating hormone development. High-protein foods also speed recovery after injury or exercise, curb the appetite, and help maintain a healthy weight.

But can you get enough protein from plants? Yes! Despite the common misconception, many plant-based foods are loaded with protein, as well as other important nutrients and fiber necessary for a healthy balanced diet. Eating excessive amounts of animal products, especially processed and red meat, carries risks you won’t find with plant-based protein, such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and certain cancers. Keep in mind that we get protein in many different foods in our diet and it adds up.

But what about protein?

It is a myth that you can't get enough protein from plant-based foods. As The Monday Campaigns explains:

As long as you're eating enough calories to maintain a healthy weight and eating a healthy, varied diet, you're almost certain to get enough protein. Protein deficiency is uncommon and most Americans eat 1.5 times more protein than they need each day.

What options are there besides meat?

Below are a number of graphics to give you ideas of what other types of foods you can eat instead of, or in addition to, meat.