May 2026
Happy May, Rolling Hills families!
As we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to share a personal experience that served as a vivid reminder of why self-care isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity for those we love.
Recently, a stranger’s road rage left me "boiling" right as I arrived home to my wife and daughters. I recognized a dangerous urge to vent that frustration on the people I love most.
So, I chose the garage over the living room. I sat in my car, played music, and breathed until my "short fuse" disappeared. I stayed there until I could be the husband and father my family deserves. I eventually told them the whole story, including the part where I stayed in the garage so that, hopefully, they could learn from the experience about the importance of prioritizing their own mental health.
The Takeaway: Self-care isn't always a spa day. Sometimes, it’s just five minutes in a parked car to ensure you don’t pass your negativity along to others.
This May, remember:
Check your mindset. * Take the extra minute. * Give yourself permission to reset.
This year, we introduced Kelvin, a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) survey, to our 3rd–5th grade students. This tool helps us identify our strengths and discover how we can better support students both individually and school-wide.
The survey will be administered twice a year to help inform our work here at Rolling Hills. Our most recent results across five key dimensions are:
Safety 91%
Academic Support 85%
Relationship Skills 83%
Sense of Belonging 81%
Responsible Decision-Making 76%
Our Hope Squad students recently put their training into practice! During recess, our 12 student leaders took to the playground to ensure everyone felt included, inviting peers to play and engage in conversation. We are incredibly proud of the positive, inclusive environment they are building!
Our student committee recently wrapped up our final lesson of the year based on the book All My Stripes: A Story for Children with Autism by Shaina Rudolph. It has been inspiring to watch our classes engage in deep discussions about how we can better understand, celebrate, and care for every student in our community.
Twice a month, our students participate in Second Step, a research-based program focused on empathy, emotion management, problem-solving, and bullying prevention.
Grades K–3: Lessons led by Ms. Chang.
Grades 4–5: Lessons led by Mr. Sterk.
TK: Second Step content is integrated daily into classroom activities.
These are essential life skills that serve students far beyond the classroom. If you would like resources to continue these conversations at home, please reach out to us!
The PUSD Caring Connections Center hosts excellent workshops throughout the year. Recent sessions covered managing challenging behaviors and navigating the complexities of adolescence.
To view upcoming topics or to register, please visit the Caring Connections website.
Pete Sterk
School Counselor
Counseling Center Amazon Wishlist