Mālama Pono

Mālama Pono in the Hawaiian language means "to take care of, tend, care for, preserve, protect" and more. It is the value that teaches us to stop and think about taking care of everyone, and every living thing in our life circle, including ourselves. As many of our students and families have been impacted by the Kona Low, this is a fitting reminder of the importance of self-care as well as taking care of others and offering support as needed.

TeenLink Hawai'i is a youth empowerment, outreach, and education program that provides information and referral services for teens in Hawai'i. They offer a guide on self-care, Mindful Aloha, meditation, and featured apps.

Self-care is something that is often overlooked in our lives, and the lack of it is often the cause of excessive stress, worry and sometimes even burnout. It IS NOT a selfish act. Not only is it done for yourself, but it is also done knowing that if you care for yourself, you can better care for others around you.

If you or your family were impacted by the recent Kona Low storm, you are not alone. Aloha United Way 211 is here to help connect you to resources for safety, recovery, and support.

These cards offer a fun and practical resource for children to inspire self-belief, emotional resilience, and a positive outlook every day. By using these affirmation cards regularly, children learn to:

• See themselves as capable, kind, and unique

• Approach challenges with confidence and perseverance

• Build healthy self-respect and positive habits

• Strengthen empathy and teamwork skills

This newsletter is a joint collaboration of the DOE Central District's School Social Workers and Human Services Professionals. The purpose is to highlight information that you may find useful, and does not serve as a comprehensive list. We do not endorse any specific organization. Mahalo!