Safety & Wellness

Westview PTSA presents:

Dealing with Anxiety and Depression.  Tuesday March 13th , 2012 at 7:15 PM in the teachers lounge. Refreshments will be served.

Today’s teenagers feel enormous anxiety from such sources such as academics, athletics and peer pressure. Dr. Sean O' Hara, Psy.D. NCAC I, SAP examines these issues in a free hour-long presentation and open forum for both parents and teens. His presentation will focus on anxiety and depression.

Please click here for more information Flier- Dealing with anxiety and depression

Updated information regarding Pertussis (Whooping cough) from the Union Tribune

Please click on this link for more information:

2011-2012/Docs/UT whooping cough.pdf

CASA Survey: Teens Who Regularly Use Social Networking Sites More Likely to Smoke, Drink, Use Drugs

New York, , NY – August, 24 2011 – A national study released by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University underscores the vital role of parents in preventing drug and alcohol abuse among their children and teens.

Please click on this link for more information:

Casa Survey: Teens who use social networking

Teen Driver Safety fair

In recognition of National Teen Driver Safety Week, The Trauma Research Education Foundation’s Safe Teen Driving Council and the Auto Club will host a TEEN DRIVER SAFETY FAIR on Saturday October 29th 2011 from 11 am to 3 pm at Rancho Bernardo High School.

Please click on this link for the flier:

Teen Driver Safety Fair

Please review the Joint intelligence bulletin posted by local law enforcement

Joint PUBLIC 9-11 brief  

Make healthy changes  

Your family may have just settled into the groove of the school year, but consider whether some healthy changes could make that groove even better. Take a second look at what you put in your child's lunch box every day; could some easy substitutions make a more nutritious meal? How about your family's level of physical activity? Could you make time for a family walk after dinner, or a game of soccer in the park this weekend? November is PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month, and we encourage you to take a look at the resources at PTA.org/GoodChoices to find some simple ways to be healthier each day.

Many parents/guardians plan a well deserved celebration for their high school graduates. You should be aware of local social host ordinances. These laws apply to any adult party giver or adult owner/renter of a home that is hosting a party where youth and alcohol are present. Should you be involved in this serious issue, you should know that a misdemeanor and/or fine can be charged to the adult hosting the party.

It is against the law to knowingly serve alcohol to any minor. Period. Be informed and call the local police department at (858) 538-8000 - Northeast San Diego Police Department located on Salmon River Way, Rancho Penasquitos.

Feeling connected to family and school is the best predictor of positive health choices

Do you know the law when it comes to your children?

Work Permits, Truancy, Police Encounters and Curfew Laws are just some of the main topics covered in this easy to understand guide for both parents' and children’s use.

Kids and the Law, An A to Z Guide for Parents is designed to give you a basic overview of some of the laws that apply to children - laws created to help safeguard youth at school, in part-time jobs and at play. A glossary of legal terms is also listed to demystify words that you might come across when dealing with the law.

Copies of this guide may be requested at: kids@calbar.ca.gov

Can I borrow the car keys? Steer your teen away from marijuana

If you’re the parent or caregiver of a teen driver, your “yes” to this question may come with a host of warnings: “Wear your seat belt” or “Don’t speed” or the most common ”Don’t drink and drive!” But have you warned your teen about the dangers of driving under the influence of marijuana? ● 

• Marijuana affects a driver’s alertness, concentration, coordination and reaction time.
• The effects of marijuana on driving can last up to 24 hours. An accident that happens today could be the result of someone’s choice to use marijuana at a party last night.
• Marijuana can make it harder for a driver to judge distances and react to signals and sounds on the road. For example, a driver who has smoked marijuana may have trouble judging how long it will take his car to slow down when he hits the brakes, and may struggle to coordinate steering and braking.

  Keep teens engaged and busy, not just during the school day, but from 3-6pm when the use of drugs by bored unsupervised teens is highest

Tips on helping your teen driver stay on the road to a drug-free lifestyle

Set clear rules for behavior, including rules and limits for driving. For example, set a curfew for when your teen must have the car back home (e.g., before dark), and limit the number of teen riders she can have in the car at one time.

• Follow through with consequences. Let your teen know that he will not be allowed to drive if he breaks the rules, and he may lose his license if he is caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Help your teen choose friends wisely. Encourage him or her to find friends who are drug free and warn about peers who may try to pressure your teen to use marijuana or drive under the influence.
• Closely monitor your child’s time and whereabouts. Car accidents are less likely to occur among teens whose parents watch them closely. 

Additional Resources

www.theantidrug.com/steerclear/tips.asp or call 1-800-662-HELP

CDC and Prevention Teen Drivers Fact Sheet

Teens Behind the Wheel: Graduated Driver Licensing

Keep these points in mind to assist the school in maintaining healthy and safe conditions for your student

1) Emergency Information - Assure up-to-date emergency information/contacts are on file at school. This includes parent home and work numbers! Emergency contacts may be called when parents are unavailable. Provide your child’s school with:

a) Names and phone numbers of neighbors/friends with available transportation to call in case you cannot be reached.

b) Current health concerns for your student (i.e. asthma, insect sting allergy, epilepsy, etc.) This information will be shared with staff that have a need to know.

2) First Aid - In case of an accident at school, staff will provide first aid care only. Your student will then be referred to you. However, if your student’s health is considered “at-risk”, paramedics will be called. Parents are responsible for any cost incurred.

3) Non-School Injuries - The school is not permitted to provide care for injuries that have occurred away from school. This includes the changing of bandages or similar services.

4) Communicable Diseases - When your student has any symptoms of a communicable disease, please keep him/her at home and consult with your health care provider. Please call the Health Technician when your student has a confirmed communicable disease (i.e. strep throat, head lice, chicken pox, measles, etc.) or serious illness. Obtain a note from your health care provider verifying the diagnosis, treatment plan, and date your student may return to school and give to the Health Technician.

5) Medication - Before any medication (prescribed or over-the-counter) can be given during school hours, an Authorization for Medication Administration (PUSD H-26) must be on file. This form, or a doctor’s note, must be signed by the physician and parent/guardian. Exception: Sunscreen, lip balm, throat lozenges, cough drops, and contact lens solution require written parent permission only. The school staff will supervise self-administration of the medication during school hours. Students are not allowed to carry medications during the school day without written physician and parent approval. See the Health Technician for appropriate forms.

Contact Westview’s Health Technician at (858) 780-2000 ext. 3026 if you have any questions.

Other yummy snacks under 100 calories: medium size banana, 1 cup blueberries, 1 cup carrots with 2 tbs. hummus, 1 cup broccoli, 1 cup grapes. Bon Appétit!

Safe Schools Hotline: 858.668.4161

Students, parents, and the community can report suspicious and illegal activities by seeing an adult in person or calling the PUSD Safe Schools Hotline. Together we can help keep our children safe. The confidentiality of those reporting is protected.

Be informed, check out Poway Unified School District’s website at www.powayusd.com for other great information all parents should read and know.