March 27, 2022
Dear Shrewsbury Families & Colleagues,
I am sorry to report to you that the mental health and well-being crisis affecting many of our community's young people, especially those of middle and high school age, has intensified in recent weeks. Our leadership team has arranged for an expert from the Riverside Trauma Center to provide important information and resources and to answer questions (which may be posted anonymously) in a webinar this Tuesday evening, March 29, at 7:00pm. I urge parents and caretakers to strongly consider attending this webinar in order to learn ways to support children who are struggling and how to have conversations with your children about their mental health and well-being in order to prevent or address problems. While the webinar will focus primarily on middle and high school adolescents, families of students of any age are invited to attend. All SPS staff are welcome to attend as well. Please see the information below for more details and the link to join the webinar.
Community Forum: Student Well-Being and Mental Health Webinar
Please join us on Tuesday, March 29 at 7:00pm for a webinar about the ongoing mental health challenges students and families are currently experiencing in our community and across the country with Co-Founder and Associate Director of the Riverside Trauma Center, Mr. James McCauley. During this webinar, Mr. McCauley will share his assessment and perspectives on the current state of adolescent mental health. He will also share risk factors for self-injurious behavior and suicide, provide advice and strategies for families on how to have conversations with students about their mental health, and share the resources and supports that are available in our community. To participate in the webinar, use the following link: https://shrewsburyps.zoom.us/j/83183900439
I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about how to help support our children during a time when so many of them are experiencing mental and behavioral health challenges. Thank you.
Respectfully,
Joe Sawyer
Superintendent of Schools