Schools across Moreno Valley Unified School District are observing Yellow Ribbon Youth Suicide Awareness and Prevention Week with a variety of approaches to ensure students feel welcome and supported by all.
At Armada Elementary School, "Friendship Week" was celebrated where students created artwork to show their friends how they can "Share the love."
Cloverdale Elementary School counselor Marylou Denson prompted students to make new friends by creating friendship cards. Students also showed their appreciation for others and gave compliments to other students, including their new friends.
Second grade teacher Dolores Esquivias-Felix's class at Hendrick Ranch Elementary School discussed what it means to be kind as well as a writing and illustration exercise on the topic "Choose to be kind."
Midland and Sugar Hill Elementary Schools also focused on the friendship aspect of Yellow Ribbon Week. The school counselor for both schools, Carol McCune, organized an activity for each class, where students drew a name of a classmate and wrote a kind message to the classmate they chose. The activity promoted friendship, inclusion and being someone's hero.
North Ridge Elementary School held a week of events that included asking students to say "Good Morning" to at least 3 people, telling themselves something nice in the mirror, and using positive words to inspire and bring joy to a friend and someone new.
At Palm Middle School, counselors are providing a comprehensive suicide prevention program during the month of September. The counselors are presenting seminars for teachers, staff, parents, and students. Students participate in an annual campaign “It’s OK to Ask for Help."
Landmark Middle School students created a unity chain, which represents what they do to make the world a kinder place.
Canyon Springs High School involved their staff members. Counselors presented to both certificated staff and classified staff on suicide awareness. According to principal Tamara Kerr, about 90% of the school's staff is now knowledgeable on the warning signs of suicide and the proper protocol to follow when they notice the signs. The school also held activities for students at lunch time in quad where they could answer questions about facts and statistics related to youth suicide. Prices included stress balls, rubber ducks with positive sayings, wristbands and more.
Valley View High School had students sign a poster saying "I pledge that my story doesn't end here." They also held events that promoted suicide prevention and distributed stress relief kits.
"It is wonderful to see our schools taking a positive approach to this important week," said Board Vice President Jesus Holguin. "We want our children to be safe, and promoting awareness of suicide warning signs and promoting all around friendliness is a big way to keep our students safe."