Healthy Minds, Healthy Me, Healthy SJLES! - Your input is needed to shape our program!

We are delighted to share that our PTA earned grant funding from the National PTA to establish a ‘Healthy Minds’ program at SJLES to support the mental wellness of our school community. 

Action Requested: Please help shape the program by providing input here by December 31st. No identifying information is required, you are welcome to keep your responses confidential.
 

The Healthy Minds PTA planning committee is working in close partnership with our school counselors, Ms. Poirier and Ms. Diaz, and will announce details of the program in January. We are proactively focusing on mental wellness because when our minds are healthy and strong, we are more resilient to life’s challenges, able to use healthy coping methods, have better relationships, maintain our overall health and well-being, and prevent chronic illnesses.

In this season, be kind to yourself. “No one can show up 100% of the time… Remember that you occasionally need to slow down and preserve your energy to fully restore your well-being” - Yung Pueblo

If you have an immediate need for help with depression, suicidal thoughts, or other serious mental health issues, please contact:

• Grassroots Crisis Intervention at 410-531-6677
• The Maryland Crisis Hotline: Dial 211 and then choose option 1
• The Crisis Text Line: Text 741741 and a trained counselor will respond.
• The National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255

PTA Council of Howard County (PTACHC) Update

The first Monday of every month our PTACHC representatives attend the PTACHC meeting to give a voice to SJLES and bring back information to our PTA. For a summary of the details, be sure to attend our PTA meetings! Approved meeting notes are available (with a delay) on the PTACHC website and a very informative Legislative Report is provided every month. A few notes:

• Reminder to please submit feedback to our PTACHC representatives so we may share the collective voice of our school with the county, using the google form

• Dec 4 Legislative Update: https://www.ptachc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/12-4-23-Legislative-Report.pdf

• HCPSS Budget Overview: https://www.hcpss.org/about-us/budgets/

Share Your Thoughts About Howard County Public School Food Choices - Responses due January 15th! 

Patapsco Middle School, in partnership with The Horizon Foundation, is invested in evaluating school meal services across Howard County. To have your voice heard, participate in the brief Healthier Choices Coalition School Food Survey.

PTA End of Year Donations

In addition as we get close to the end of the year, please consider donating to the PTA through your company charitable match programs (some might even match those donations you’ve already submitted!).  You can donate here: PTA Donations.

Save the Dates:

• Jan 8:  Cozy Reading Day (In School Event)
• Jan 8-26: Read-A-Thon Fundraiser
• Feb 22: Multicultural Night

Connect with the PTA

• Like (and Favorite!) our Facebook page to stay up to date 

• Check out our website for all the info

• Learn how to easily submit Box Tops for Education

• Send us your feedback to SJLES.PTAmail@gmail.com