STC Newsletter
May 2026
Jayne Whitson, Family Advocate
now serving Valley Heights students and families
Mobile Family Resource Center aka-"care bus"
Until school ends on May 20, my schedule continues to begin at the VH Jr/Sr High each day 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
Turn your porch light green for Mental Health Awareness Month. Wear green on May 14 to show support for those who are facing or have faced a mental health challenge or addiction. 1 in 5 people experience a mental health obstacle in their lifetime. Depression may be the leading cause of suicide, but depression often stems from the lack of feeling connected. Lets join together on May 14 and everyday to connect with others, show support and give a hand up to those who may need it. Mental Health Awareness Month gives everyone the opportunity to learn more about mental health and to celebrate good mental health practices and the healing. Celebrating" More GOOD Days Together" is the theme this year. Every day is not always a good day, but celebrating the good days helps make more of them possible.
Each time I walk into the classroom for a Character Ed class I ask how everyone is feeling or if they're having a good day. I ask to see all thumbs up and then we momentarily celebrate that moment. For those thumbs that aren't up, I ask what can we do to change that? Connecting with students where they are in their classroom is a privilege that I take seriously. I want all students to have great days and to feel good about learning something new each day! Sometimes all it takes is a giggle or a deep breathe, a smile, a hug or a high five to turn a day around. And sometimes it takes a little more effort than that. These students are building "take a minute toolkits" to use to help them learn to control how they can calm their minds so that they can change or train their minds, their hearts and their actions to a growth mindset where learning is fun, chooses courage, understands that mistakes are opportunities and do-overs are okay! They are working towards building resiliency so that they can have "more good days together"! That is something anyone can do at any stage of life. Cheers! to more good days together.
Take a look at the services Pawnee Mental Health can provide to Marshall County. Contrary to what you may believe, or perhaps experienced in the past, Pawnee is putting on a new face and it's not "just therapy sessions" anymore.....
- Adult Community Services
- Crisis Services
- Medical Services
- Recovery Services
- School Based Services
- Therapy Services
- Youth Community Services
Same day walk-in services are available in Marysville M-TH, 8am-3:30pm. For more information about services at Pawnee Mental Health in Marshall County, click here, or call 785-562-3907. For mental Health Emergencies, call Pawnee Mental Health's Crisis Stabilization Unit, 1-800-609-2002 or the National Crisis Lifeline, call or text 988. For medical or physical emergencies, Call 911.
If you call or text the 988, the National Crisis Lifeline, the primary purpose of their counselors is to provide you with emotional support. You do not need to have current suicidal thoughts to use the 988 Lifeline. You do not have to accept any referrals or resources offered to you by the 988 Lifeline.
Using the 988 Lifeline is FREE! When you call or text 988 your conversation will be confidential with a professional, trained counselor. The Lifeline counselor will provide judgement-free care. Connecting with someone can help save your life.
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.
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. Together we can do better.
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!
Maverick was brushing up on his dance moves at Blue Rapids Elementary with high hopes of being asked to Prom when he gets to high school. He has had some great days visiting with students, walking the halls, playing fetch, receiving belly rubs and practicing his manners while peering into the lunch room. He spent a couple days in Waterville where students had the opportunity to brush and pet Maverick. Kindergarten even let him loose to run with them on the playground during recess! Practicing Maverick's obedience lessons at school is important to his learning process and the students are a BIG help! They enjoy seeing him in the classroom and in the halls and on the play ground. 2nd graders in Mrs. Hofmann's class thought they should rename him "King Mav"! But for now, he answers to Maverick.
In the classrooms, Maverick showed students some of his obedience training and some of his tricks. He can sit, laydown, stay, leave it, give five and high fives! He can also say "Please!" and is working on saying "Touchdown!"
Maverick is a wanna be Family Advocate! He thinks sitting in the driver's seat is what it takes. He enjoys wathcing kids run and play on the playground and playing fetch at the dog park too. Every moment with Maverick is making a memory, at home, at training classes, in the Jeep and at school. And every moment teaches Maverick to behave well at school and in new social experiences. One day Maverick will be a therapy dog....but he may not achieve a license to drive the care bus.
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. May30
Serving families in our community. First come, First Served. May19, Beginning by 11am
Practically every kid wants to spend some of the hot summer days at the City Pool! In Blue Rapids, the word from Miss Emma Toerber, Pool Manager, is that the Pool will open on or around Memorial Day! The date has not been set yet, due to weather and getting the pool prepared! Lifeguards on duty this summer will be very familiar faces: Maggie Toerber, Lily and Juliet Busey, Shaylee Ekstrum, Tessa Bigham, Paige Miller, and Teagan Spoonts. Hours may be adjusted on weekends, but during the weeks, hours will likley be Noon-1pm Adult Swim, Open Swim 1-5pm and 6-8pm. Summer events will definitely include the Triathalon on July 4th, Water Aerobics and Highschool Swim. Dates and tImes will be determined and purblished online in the next couple weeks. Follow the BR CIty Pool on Facebook for more info this summer. Have a fun and safe summer at the pool!
Miss Carrie Husband will manage the Waterville City Pool and says Opening Day is set for May 24! She and Emma Toerber, Blue Rapids City Pool Manager, are coordinating some efforts at both city pools, so you may notice a slight change of pool hours from previous years and some NEW special events! More familiar faces will be lifeguarding: Mia Vermetten, Kinze Wessel, Macy Stoudt, Stella Martin, Emma Warders, Hayden Pierson and Langston Gray. Watch the Waterville City Pool Facebook page for more details throughout the summer seaon. Enjoy the summer!
