Ms. Kuhle, Brain Health Liaison

There is something magical about 1st grade! So much fun to watch as a parent! 📚

If your child is heading into first grade, get ready—
because you’re about to witness something amazing.

This year will be full of so much growth:
They’ll become stronger readers.
They’ll start solving problems without your help.
They’ll add, subtract, write sentences, and come home bursting with new things to tell you.

You’ll see their confidence bloom.
You’ll watch their curiosity take off.
And you'll look at them one day and wonder how they've grown so much.

And when the school year ends, you’ll be left amazed at the person they’ve become.

Because first grade?
It’s not just another grade.
It’s a season of transformation—
for them and you.

So soak it all in.
Hold them close.
Because this chapter is fleeting…
and they’re growing up right before your eyes.

Living FULL, by Danielle Sherman-Lazar

..and then some. Many students are fighting a battle that others know nothing about. Be kind, always.

Research shows that missing 10% of school, or about 18 days in most school districts, negatively affects a student's academic performance. Missing just two days a month is defined as chronic absence.

Students with regular attendance are more likely to succeed academically, achieve at higher levels, gain valuable knowledge from classroom discussions, feel more connected to their community, and develop strong social skills and friendships - all of which are important life skills.

As we head back to school after a much-needed winter break, help your child understand the importance of regular attendance as they push through second semester!

Kids are smarter than we sometimes give them credit for! 😉

Before we can develop an emotional connection with someone else, we need to first develop an emotional connection with ourselves.

Self-connection is what allows us to tune into our feelings, needs, thoughts and desires with acceptance and respect, rather than judgment. It's hard to feel an emotional connection with someone else when we don't know or understand our own emotions, needs and values.

For people with social anxiety disorder, everyday social interactions cause irrational anxiety, fear of being judged, self-consciousness, and embarrassment.

Your brain is lying to you if it says you deserve pain. You don’t, you deserve love and compassion. 💜

This needs to be shared, this needs to be read, and more importantly, this needs to be heard.

Sertraline- Zoloft
Venlafaxine- Effexor
Citalopram- Celexa
Mirtazapine-Remeron
Fluoxetine- Prozac
Duloxetine- Cymbalta
Seroquel- Quetiapine
Lamictal- Lamotrigine
Lexapro- Escitalopram
Wellbutrin- Bupropion
Lorazepam- Ativan
Klonopin- Clonazepam
Abilify - Aripiprazole
Tegrotal - Carabamezipine
Buspar - Buspirone

You may know what these tablets are or know a loved one who takes them, but in case you don't, I will fill you in. That medication allows people to deal with a normal day to day life. Although most days it leaves them tired, spaced out, emotionless, or even super emotional.
Crazy right? Why would anyone want to feel like that? Well this is why..

You see, some people suffer from severe depression and anxiety.
In their brain it doesn't sit right, something seems different. They notice little differences that other people wouldn't. Most days they wake up sick and feel sleepless.
They consistently overthink every situation.
Was a comment about them; was it a joke?
Was that person supposed to laugh?
Or did they mean it?
Are they being nice?
Are they talking about them?
Do they talk about them?
They then think, I bet they don’t like me really.
They say sorry all the time. They feel like they annoy everyone.
And for all those questions they will spend hours trying to answer. Let it all build up in their mind, until it sends them to tears...... it's mental that they see things that way.
It's not only mental changes, but physical changes. They don't eat a lot or they eat way too much. Insomnia, up all night answering questions to situations that don't even exist, or sleep too much and waste half their day still feeling tired.
They still smile and they have every excuse for when you ask why.
But the tablets can help them. Because they know when they start to feel this way or think this way, they need help.
They know that when their behavior starts to change, They need guidance. And they understand that they don't need to be ashamed. They don't need to be understood. They just need to be accepted. Everyone is fighting a battle and sometimes you need to be kinder.
So I may just be another person who's talking about mental health....

Living with this illness is hard, but trying to understand it, is even harder. It’s also 100 times harder if they have another condition on top of this.
Don't suffer in silence.
Mental health is just as important as physical health.
Be part of the healing.
Be understanding.
Be kind.🖤💜🖤

“Student Success” Class (March 2022)

This class is designed with kids in mind! They will be learning many different skills to help them excel in school, and in life. Sign up with a friend, or meet new friends in the group. March classes starting soon! Message me today to reserve your spot.

Who: Kids ages 7-17
What: (3) 1-Hour Student Success Classes
When: March 5, 12 & 26 (ages 9-15)
March 3, 10 & 24 (ages 16-17)
Where: 1076 University Avenue, Dubuque
Cost: $175 (cash, check, Venmo)
Must be paid in full prior to first class, no refunds
Spots available: 5 (per age group)
Supplies, snacks and juice will be provided
This is a parent drop-off class

SCHEDULE:
Student Age:
7-9 (Saturday, 9am-10am)
10-12 (Saturday, 10:30am-11:30am)
13-15 (Saturday, 1pm-2pm)
16-17 (Thursday, 5:15-6:15pm)

TOPICS:
-Growth Mindset
-Making Good Choices
-Perseverance
-How to Be a Good Friend
-Understanding Emotions
-Embracing Your True Self
-Personal Wellness/Self-Care
-Study Skills
-Behavior
-Character Development
-Manners
-Social Skills
-How to Be A Good Student
-How To Be A Good Son/Daughter