$6 for a slice of pizza, with a serving of organic blueberries and baby carrots

The KSPTA is piloting a fundraiser. We’re selling a pizza lunch with organic fruit and a vegetable on Wednesdays after school. Proceeds will fund t-shirts for all Bacich students and staff for the 2023-2024 school year with the image: We All Belong at Bacich.

Pizzas will be served in the Bacich lunch quad, following your child’s dismissal time.

• UTK & Kindergarten: 12 p.m.
• 1st & 2nd Grades: 12:15 p.m.
• 3rd & 4th Grades: 12:30 p.m.

Projected Dates:

• Wednesday, May 17, 24, 31, and June 7

How to Order:

• Orders can be placed at www.kspta.org/product/bacich-pizza-2023/.
• Orders and payment can be made online, or place an order online and pay cash or check on the day of.
• Ordering closes at 9 p.m. on Mondays.

A limited quantity of pizza will be available for purchase without pre-orders. Please ensure your child has a caregiver as food pickup is after dismissal time.

Does your child attend Marin Enrichment? KSPTA volunteers are coordinating with Marin Enrichment staff to have your child’s pizza brought to Marin Enrichment. Please send your child to Marin Enrichment as usual and KSPTA will deliver.

Is your child a budding entrepreneur? Contact VP of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Vicki Sonu Song, so that both caregiver and child can participate in selling lemonade or baked goods! Proceeds will be donated to the KSPTA and be used to fund projects to promote belonging in our district.

We need volunteers! Please contact Vicki Sonu Song at equity-inclusion@kspta.org.

Hi! Have you signed it yet? Just a reminder from your friends at KSPTA about Wait Until 8th Pledge!

What it IS:
The Wait Until 8th pledge empowers parents to rally together to delay giving children a smartphone until at least 8th grade. By banding together, we can decrease the pressure felt by kids and parents alike over smartphones. Surrounding Bay Area schools Ross, Corte Madera, Larkspur and the Reed District have also signed on.

What it IS NOT:
It is not a promise to avoid all screen time or even to wait until 8th to give your child a phone. The Wait Until 8th pledge is simply encouraging parents to delay the smartphone — you can still have the peace of mind of easy communication with an “old school” phone or watch.

Why is it IMPORTANT?
These devices are quickly changing childhood for children. Playing outdoors, spending time with friends, reading books, and hanging out with family are happening a lot less to make room for hours on snap chat, tik tok, Instagram, or streaming on YouTube. Experts say that smartphones are addictive, interfere with sleep and relationships, and increase the risk that children will suffer from depression, anxiety, and cyberbullying. Our kids deserve a childhood free of distraction.

You can find more info at: www.kspta.org/wait-until-8th

Signs to Look For & Strategies to Help

It’s important for young people to hear that anxiety, stress, and negative emotions are completely normal, especially in hard times. And times are hard for many.

"More and more teens are aware of mental health as a real issue they face in their daily lives," says Michael Torres, PsyD, a clinical psychologist at the Kaiser Permanente Mental Health and Wellness Center in San Leandro, California. "It’s vital that all of us who support young people are equipped to talk about mental health issues."

You can start making a difference in a young person’s mental health in a few key ways.

Know the Signs

Mental health symptoms are manageable, with early care and support from trusted adults. That’s why it’s important to recognize signs and symptoms of depression in teens, like:

• Persistent feelings of sadness, fear, anxiety, or worry
• Avoiding social interactions or things they loved doing before
• Falling behind in school
• Signs of self-harm
• Talking about suicide or harming others

Talk Often and Honestly

It’s important to make time to talk with your teen on a regular basis. Schneider recommends setting aside "no phone" time, especially at the dinner table or before bed. Show that you’re interested in talking, even if your teen doesn’t always want to. Be flexible — if they feel comfortable and are ready to talk, they’ll come to you. Once you’re talking, respect them enough to be yourself. It’s one of the most important steps in building trust.

Provide Tools for Self-Care

Encourage the teen in your life to practice self-care. Help them find a healthy outlet for their emotions.

Exercise, especially, has health benefits beyond physical fitness. As little as 20 to 25 minutes of moderate activity a day can help protect against symptoms of depression.3 Teens can also try things like:

• Practicing mindfulness
• Journaling or making art
• Talking with a trusted friend
• Listening to music
• Watching something fun on television — especially as a family or with friends

Teens should also get 8 to 9 hours of sleep a night when possible, and rest whenever they can. Building a nighttime routine without screens can help, says Schneider. And that goes for adults, too.

Ask for Help

If you’re struggling to relate to a young person’s emotions or their condition seems more serious, it could be time to get help. If it’s someone else’s child, gently let their guardian know what you’ve noticed. If it’s your child, call your pediatrician or a mental health specialist. If health care is a barrier, you could also reach out to the counselor or psychologist at your child’s school.

If you ever fear for the immediate safety of a young person, call your local medical office for crisis care.

For more support, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (TTY 711) or visit 988lifeline.org to get free, confidential help from a trained crisis counselor.

It’s never too early to help a young person with their emotional well-being.

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