STC Newsletter
June 2026
Jayne Whitson, Family Advocate
now serving Valley Heights students and families
Mobile Family Resource Center aka-"care bus"
Family Advocate's Summer Schedule
The summer schedule is much more flexible when students are not in class. The Family Advocate and Maverick will occasionally be at Camp Exploration during the summer to continue student relationships there. The Family Advocate will also be available by appointment and out and about in the community with the "care bus" at Waterville Nickel Days, the Marshall County Fair Parade, Harvesters and more! 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.
As Summer approaches in Kansas, there are safety plans and practices to review with your family as you turn outdoors to enjoy sports, activities and family gatherinngs. It's important for everyone in the family to know their role in case of emergencies, inclement weather and to avoid accidents.
When school is out, review your Family Emergency Action Plan with your family-including emergency evacution routes at home, a meeting place, a shelter area during storms, an emergency kit, a first aid kit, a list of emergency phone numbers and family contacts (just in case your cellphone becomes unavailable) and lists of medications. Review additional safety plans that are applicable to the activities your family plans to do this summer- road trip, camping, boating, biking, swimming, playing on a sports team, attending sporting events, farming/ranching, hiking, picnicking, touring, campfires, mowing, grilling and BBQing, fireworks, golfing, 4-wheeling, motorcycling, or whatever your family loves to do. Think Safety FIrst! Follow along on FB when each Tuesday TIp will offer summer safety guidelines to use and reveiw.
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." ~ Benjamin Franklin
Last Fall, the Family Advocate spoke to parents and students at Family Fun Nights in Waterville Elementary about the importance of sleep and bedtime routines.
“Sleep is no less important than food, drink, or safety in the lives of children.”
Bedtime is important because sleep is important. But parents say bedtime can be a struggle. Helping kids create healthy habits early is much easier than trying to shift or pivot later as teens or adults. In reality, bedtime is what's best fo the enotire family unit. Bedtimes create routines, sets expectations, regulates the body's internal clock and leads to better quality sleep.
"Sleep is the power source that keeps our minds alert and calm. Every night and at every nap, sleep recharges the brain's battery. Sleeping well increases brain power just as weight lifting builds stronger muscles, because sleeping well increases our attention span and allows us to be physically relaxed and mentally alert at the same time."
Routines are important because they create security and provide structure. Routine offer a sense of control, reduces anxiety and imporves emotional and cognitvie development. Routine impacts our quality of sleep. If you build a routine with your kids, that act alone can impact their sense of control and coppoeration, create accountability and allows you some flexibility and the opportunity for guidelines that can benefit the entire family. Teamwork makes the dreamwork!
Download and print these routines or cut and paste some options to make a routine that works for you and your family members: Boys' Bedtime Routine, Girls' Bedtime Routine, Create a Bedtime Routine. Post them where the kids have access and let them check off each item on the list before bedtime. Use a sheet protector and a dry erase marker to make it reusable. Summer time is a great time to learn what works in your routine and what doesn't work well; its a great time to practice routines and to change them up! Remember that routines are guidelines and you can take a break from them on weekends or on special ocassions.
As parents, it is your responsibility to be sensitive to and protect your children's sleep, just as you do their safety, just as you ensure that they regularly get breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Infuse the importance of sleep with daily intention and you will likely have a happier, self-assured, less demanding, and more sociable child. And you just might get some more sleep yourself.
As the school year comes to a close and summer fun is on the horizon, are you fearful that some lazy summer days may fade into the sunset via the glow of a screen shining off your child's face instead of the sunshine? Start the conversations now about summer expectations and screen time limitations with all your kids, all ages. A great way to start a conversation is to begin with tracking the use of screens and devices. Download and print a tracker here for screens and for video games. When setting limits, leave room to "earn" screen time or device time with this tool.
Do you know there are reccommended allowances for screen times based on children's ages? The amount of time limited to each age group may surprise you! Limiting screen time helps protect kids. Key concerns of too much screen time include: mental and emotional health, behavioral and developmental issues, physical health issues, addiction, appropriate content and social disconnections. To limit screen time, prepare a family contract or list of rules that everyone can follow similar to these or the one below. REMINDER: when school starts in August, the new Kansas Law affecting use of student cell phones at school will be in effect.
More screentime and internet safety information is available for parents here.
Together we can do better for the health and safety or our kids.
We are looking for more BIGs to match with our Littles to make a difference next school year! When I meet with my little for lunch at school, there are many other children asking and looking for a friendly adult to have lunch with too. Wouldn't you like to eat lunch with an elementary student once every week or so? How fun would it be to relive some memories with them, as you stroll in to the grade school cafeteria? The fun doesn't stop there, you are just beginning to form a bond that could lead to a lifelong friendship and after school activities too. Your attention is all they need. You don't have to be anything special, but you will be special to them!
Right now is a great time to apply to become a mentor, a special friend, a BIG and to enroll your child if you'd like them to have a BIG next school year! The process to become a BIG and a Little is thorough to make certain it is a good fit for you both and their family too. That's what makes the Big Brothers Big Sisters program so special. It includes some volunteer training, a back ground check and guidelines are laid out in the beginning to make sure it is safe for everyone! Most littles are comfortable meeting with someone at school because it is a safe place and a familiar place. You will begin meeting with your little at school after a "Match Meeting" is held so that you can be introduced and meet the parents with your Match Specialist. The Match Specialist will do "check ins" with you and your little and their parent(s) once a month during the first year to make certain that everyone is comfortable with the match and mentorship. Your friendship may have a lasting impression on a child for their lifetime! Get started now by clicking below.
If you'd like your student to be matched with a Big, click below to enroll them!
If you are about to begin planning a summer road trip, consider a Kansas destination. Staying close to home this season may save you some money as gas prices continue to rise. Sunflower Summer is back for a short stay this season, July 9- August 2, due to the cutbacks made by the Kansas legislature. Nevertheless, FREE attractions and activities will await you and your family: Museums, Zoos, Historical Attractions, and Nature Centers. Download and check the app for featured programs and updates on the Sunflower Summer website. Only one adult per family will recieve a FREE ticket, but all the kids enter for FREE! Make family memories on the way to from your favorite places and take time to learn or see something new to you.
Serving Valley Heights Families 9am-10am on Sat. June 27
