STC Newsletter

My schedule each day will begin at the VH Jr/Sr High to meet student needs there before the bell rings. The rest of the week will primarily be:

• Monday at Blue Rapids
• Tuesday at Waterville (third Tuesday is Harvesters)
• Wednesday at VH and out and about in our community
• Thursday AM in Waterville/PM in Blue Rapids
• Friday at VH

Meet the Family Advocate, Jayne Whitson by appointment. She is available to help students and families succeed with resources, referrals and donated items to help during a family trauma, crisis or setback.

The best way to reach the family advocate is via cell, 612-202-7366.

Why celebrate Stress Awareness? We can build a community where mental health is valued and supported, where people are encouraged and empowered to seek help, adopt healthy coping strategies and prioritize their emotional well-being. Since 1992, Stress Awareness has been celebrated in April to raise awareness of causes, effects and management of stress. It's just one more opportunity to break the stigma around mental health and promote healthy stress management strategies and encourage healthy and resilient lifestyle choices.

Stress impacts both our physical and mental health. But talking about and learning to use tools and resources to manage stress can help ourselves and others because stress has become a part of every day life and is often misunderstood.

This month you can begin to practice daily self care or educate your self and others by learning more about the symptoms of stress, coping mechanisms, and mental health resources available by reading and sharing informational articles at home, at school and at work. Start a stress reduction challenge with your family, with co-workers, or on social media-like daily mindfulness practices, gratefulness journaling, hydration goals or digital detox. Promote healthy conversations, offer mental health resources or relaxation techniques and begin healthy practices that make a difference in your own life and those around you.

During March in Character Ed classes we discussed courage and what encouragement looks like and why both are important. We read, Tomorrow I'll Be Brave, by Jessica Hische that encouraged us to be adventurous, creative, strong, confident, curious and smart while allowing grace to try again. Students were given opportunities to identify things they can do to be brave, adventurous, creative, strong, confident, curious and smart. Sometimes I learn more than they do! One student shared how math makes them smart! Others dreamed of adventures...finding buried treasures of gold, riding dolphins, sharks, dinosaurs, unicorns and crocodiles! Some expressed creativity with words, dance, music, painting, crafting, drawing and fashions! To some, being strong meant lifting weights or wrestling, while others felt like being brave requires strength too.

Another book, The Thing Lou Couldn't Do, by Ashely Spires taught us to overcome our fears, to avoid making excuses, accept encouragement and that if you don't succeed on the first try, it's ok to try again. Students had the opportunity to try new things! New foods and food combinations: Black licorice, hummus on a pretzel, dark chocolate, coconut and Mounds Bar (dark chocolate and coconut) and a caramel delight cookie with chocolate and coconut. Our students were Brave and Courageous! Almost all students tried each item and learned that they do like something new! They especially enjoyed getting an unexpected snack during the school day.

We also read, Mate, a book written and illustrated by my niece, Emma Whitson, studying at Johnson County Community College. Emma wrote this story for a class she took last semester and gifted me a copy of the book for Christmas. After I read it, I told her that I would share it with my students because its the perfect story to share how important courage and encouragement are. Students enjoyed the story and we discussed how different the story could have turned out if the characters had not been courageous and if one friend had not encouraged another. We also discussed how to be encouraging to others. The students were encouraged when I told them that I knew the author and she had gone to school at Waterville Elementary and Blue Rapids Elementary! They asked lots of questions about the author and each one wrote a card to thank the author and tell her that they liked her book! I hope that encourages students to enjoy reading and writing as much as Emma does!

Marshall County low to moderate income residents can get FREE Income Tax Assistance beginning Feb.4. VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance is sponsored by RSVP of NE KS and in cooperation with K-State Extension in Marshall County. This service helps many elderly individuals, students with part time jobs and families with low to moderate income prepare their income tax returns FREE! There is no charge to file your income tax return through this service. Complex returns involving farms and businesses are not included .All returns will be E-filed. Call the K-State Extension Office 785-562-3531 or RSVP 785-562-2154 for an appointment and more information. Simple returns may be dropped off.

Documents needed to complete your return- please bring these with you:

• Photo Id
• Bank Account Information
• Social Security Numbers for taxpayer, spouse and children
• W-2 forms from 2025 employment
• W-2G Gambling Income
• 1095 Health Insurance Forms
• 1098T (Tuition)
• All 1099s: 1099-G, 1099INT, 1099R, 1099MISC, SSA 1099, 1099-Div, 1099-NEC
• If you own your own home, 2025 Property Tax Statement from your county treasure's office.
• Copy of last year's tax return.

RSVP is located at 1019 Broadway, Marysville, KS, 785-562-2154

Marshall County K-State Extension is located in the Marshall County Courthouse, 785-562-3531.

In April, students in Character Education will discuss "Perseverance" with Ms. Jayne. Trying and never giving up matter every day in sports, in the classroom and throughout life. To be successful, we must persevere through set backs, overcome obstacles, learn from mistakes and pursue our goals! When students are praised for problem-solving, meeting and exceeding expectations, and facing challenges independently, they develop a growth mindset and begin to see setbacks as learning opportunities which build confidence, and then they will become more determined and persistent! We will learn and discuss ways to do that and identify ways we have done that and celebrated those accomplishments!

Maverick's vaccinations are complete, he had his first grooming appointment and he began obedience training last month at Manhattan Kansas Kennel Club. He will attend class for 7 weeks and then test to become a Canine Good Citizen! The test includes basic obedience- come, sit, lie down as well as grooming and practical functional behaviors when meeting other dogs and people. As he learns to navigate walking on leash and greeting others he will be rewarded with lots of treats! He already sits on command, lays, gives five, says "please", gives high five, plays fetch and has mostly mastered potty-training! Maverick is such a good boy! His favorite thing to do is ride in the jeep! Since he has been teething, he loves chewing on carrots. Maverick get in trouble for thieving shoes and socks....he is really quick!

The kids at school still love seeing Maverick and they are learning to be patient with him while he is in training, to ask me before approaching him or petting him, and other rules to follow to help "Mentor Maverick". It will be a big responsibility for everyone to follow the same rules with Maverick while he trains, but I know we can all do it!

Blessing boxes are available in both Waterville and Blue Rapids. Give what you can and take what you need. In Waterville the Blessing Box is located on Commercial Street near the Citizens State Bank. The Blessing Box in Blue Rapids is located in Riverside Park near the playground by the recycling container.

in Marshall and Washington Counties

April 8 will be the last Say YES! to the formal dress event at Valley Heights this school year. If you or someone you know is still looking for a formal dress for prom....shop the Mustang TradIN closet! The price is certainly right and many donated dresses are brand new, with tags still on...they haven't even been worn once! There are many colors, styles and sizes to choose from! Dresses can be altered to fit and to accommodate style/fashion choices too! Mix and match a top and skirt with 2 or more dresses to create your own vision! Limited shoes are available...heels, sandals, tennies and flats in various sizes and colors.....some jewelry too! And make up, nail polish and hair accessories....Make your special event a time to remember on no budget at all.