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Social and Emotional Learning and
The New Providence School District places a strong emphasis on addressing the mental health concerns of students and staff, as it is an essential component of reopening schools. This website supports students and parents with resources and articles to assist with students' social-emotional needs and trauma-informed practices.
The New Providence School District places a strong emphasis on addressing the mental health concerns of students and staff, as it is an essential component of reopening schools. This website supports students and parents with resources and articles to assist with students' social-emotional needs and trauma-informed practices.
For immediate assistance:
- National Suicide Prevention Helpline: Dial 988
- Connect to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center 24/7
- New Providence Police Department: 908-665-1111
- 2nd Floor Helpline: 888-222-2228 (call or text)
- A confidential and anonymous helpline for New Jersey's youth and young adults.
- Performcare/Children's Mobile Response Services: 1-877-652-7624
- Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help children and youth who are experiencing an emotional or a behavioral crisis. The services are designed to defuse an immediate crisis, keep children and their families safe, and maintain the children in their own homes or current living situations (such as a foster home, treatment home or group home) in the community.
- National Suicide Prevention Helpline: Dial 988
Change to Policy 5516 - Use of Electronic Communication Devices
Dr. Zirpoli's Letter, 8/12/25
Symptoms of Cell Phone Addiction from Johns Hopkins Medicine
"Signs include loss of control over behavior related to the cell phone, changes in mood related to use, tolerance of the device, and inability to regulate the use of the cell phone/device. This can also result in symptoms of withdrawal when the cell phone isn’t there, including anger or irritability, difficulty concentrating, repeated focus on not having the device, restlessness, sleep problems and craving of the device, such that it interferes with ability to complete things like schoolwork, job-related activities, and daily living activities such as showering."
Tips from Optimum Performance Institute
Watch TV together and talk about what you see on TV as an opportunity to share your own beliefs and values.
Keep the computer in a common area. Keep it where you can watch and monitor your kids. Avoid putting a computer in a child’s bedroom.
Set prerequisites for screen time–only allow TV viewing is allowed only after chores, exercise, and homework are completed.
Try a weekday screen ban (except computer use for homework and telephone for calls).
Create screen rules with your child or adolescent–adolescents in particular need to feel that rules make sense.
Turn the TV off at a set time at night.
Identify and encourage alternatives to screen time–set an example by exercising, taking walks, playing board games, and reading.
Keep TVs and computers out of bedrooms.
Turn off the mobile phone, electronic games, and TV during meals.
No TV while doing homework (yes, some adolescents claim they can do both at once!).
The computer stays in a public room in the home
Resources For Students:
Cell Phone Ban in School? Here’s How to Cope - JED Foundation
Resources For Parents/Guardians:
How to Help Your Teen Handle Their New School Phone Policy - Psychology Today
5 Ways To Support Teachers With Phone Bans in School - Safewise
What Kids Say Would Get Them Off Their Phones - Psychology Today
Cellphones and Devices: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers - Common Sense Media
Ditch the Distractions: Supporting Kids and Teens with Phone Notifications - Common Sense Media
Digital Resilience Toolkit by age level - InternetMatters.org
Create a free Family Media Plan (también disponible en español) - American Academy of Pediatrics
Addiction to Electronic Devices - Johns Hopkins Medicine
Screen Addiction: A Parent's Guide to Helping Young Adults - Optimum Performance Institute
Lifelines Suicide Prevention Program
Lifelines Suicide Prevention Program
We, in the New Providence School District, take the safety and well-being of our students very seriously. During 6th, 8th, and 12th grade health classes, we provide students with basic information about youth suicide and, more importantly, teach them what to do if they are worried about themselves or a friend. Want to learn more?
Watch a recording of the Lifelines presentation offered to families in September 2022.
Take a look at the slides from the Lifelines Parents and Caregiver workshop.
View the summary of the implementation and results of the Lifelines Program in the NPSD.
Contact any district mental health professional!
Community Resources
Terrific Online Resources (Follow them on Social Media, too!)
Terrific Online Resources (Follow them on Social Media, too!)
Child Mind Institute Family Resource Center -- an amazing resource to help you find information to help you support children who are struggling with mental health, behavior or learning challenges. There are general articles, and ones that address very specific topics, as well as a checklist that will lead you to resources based on concerns you have about your child. They also have a YouTube channel!
Common Sense Media - entertainment and technology recommendations for families.
Grown & Flown - Parenting Tweens, Teens, College Students and Young Adults
Questions? Contact your School Counselor, Case Manager, Mrs. Jillian Shadis (jshadis@npsdnj.org), or Dr. Joe Harvey at (jharvey@npsdnj.org)
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