familiaRise and EDI
SAGE PTA is thrilled to be able to support the RISD Department of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion through monthly contributions to the familiaRise section of the RISD School Times newsletter! As a part of National PTA, SAGE PTA strongly supports programming and resources for diversity, equity, and inclusion through the RISD EDI Department. SAGE exists to support learners with diverse learning needs, and it is not possible to understand these unique differences without the intersectional lens provided by DEI. To learn more about nationwide PTA support for DEI, please visit the National PTA DEI website.
We invite parents, educators, and community members to browse our past contributions below. Families can sign up to receive future RISD School Times newsletters through this sign up link, as well.
September 2024: Safe Storage for Student Safety
Each year at the beginning of September, during Suicide Prevention Month, several organizations raise awareness about safe firearm checks and storage. What is safe storage, and why is it so important in suicide prevention?
In recent years in the U.S., up to 700 children each year have died from suicide using a firearm
Nearly 90 percent of suicide attempts involving a gun result in death
Over 80% of child firearm suicides involve a firearm from the child’s own home or from the home of a friend or relative
The good news: in a study involving 37 counties across 5 states, researchers found that safe storage practices (locked, unloaded, separate from ammunition) are connected with lower rates of both accidental and self-inflicted firearm injuries in children and teens.
In July, the National PTA voted to update its resolution on Safe Storage of Firearms to address accountability for adults, and National PTA continues to promote a program called Be SMART as a helpful resource for families. SAGE PTA invites families to explore Be SMART and to learn together with us about ways that we can all work to keep our children safe.
May 2024: Mental Health Month, Important Conversations
Mental Health Month is a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness about and to de-stigmatize the mental health needs of students. Doctors know that mental health is just as important as physical health, and in fact, the two are closely linked. It is also important to have conversations about the unique mental health needs of diverse populations. For example, did you know:
Autistic people are at higher risk for depression than those who are not autistic
People with learning and attention disorders, such as ADHD and dyslexia, can experience anxiety and depression in connection with their disability symptoms
Researchers have found that when Black youth seek mental health treatment, their mental health concerns are more likely to be misdiagnosed
More than 20% of teens have seriously considered suicide, according to the American Psychological Association
Acceptance and support at home and at school impact the mental health of LGBTQ+ children, including risk of suicide
National PTA has developed Healthy Minds resources to make mental health a priority, and adults can take positive steps to support the mental health of children. We invite you to join us in working to #EndTheStigma, to prioritize the unique mental health needs of all students, and to have conversations about these needs throughout the year.
April 2024: Autism Resources for RISD Families
To celebrate acceptance and awareness of neurodiversity during the month of April, below are a few resources for families of students with autism.
RISD’s Special Student Services Department offers a newsletter especially for families of students with autism. Each email includes helpful articles, parent training opportunities, and more. To sign up, visit https://bit.ly/AutismNewsletterSignup
Parents, teachers, and even students can join SAGE PTA, a districtwide organization that supports families, advocates for students and teachers, and educates the community. We are made up of welcoming, neurodiverse families, and we would love to include you! Need-based membership scholarships are available. Please contact risdsagepta@gmail.com with questions.
Parents can volunteer to help their school and campus PTA create sensory-friendly spaces and times during the school day, during special events, and more. If your school’s PTA board does not yet have a “SAGE Chair” to help promote inclusion of neurodiversity, you can volunteer to serve.
We encourage everyone in RISD to consider engaging in conversations about including peers with differences. What does the word “inclusion” mean to you? What does it feel like to be included – or to not be included? How can we be welcoming to classmates who experience school and the world differently than we do? What does it feel like when your strengths are recognized and celebrated?
Thank you for helping to make RISD a nurturing place for neurodiversity.
March 2024: I Think My Child Might Have SAGE Needs! What Do I Do Next?
Did you know that 1 in every 5 children in the United States has a learning or attention disorder, and nearly as many (17%) have a developmental disability? Sometimes, teachers are the first to notice that a child might need to be evaluated for a disability, but sometimes parents notice first. Parents may also notice that their children may be struggling with anxiety or other mental health needs, or they may see that their child’s academic abilities are more advanced than grade level expectations. As a parent, if you are concerned that your child may have an undiagnosed disability, a mental health need, or above-level learning needs that require advanced instruction (gifted services), where can you go for help?
We recommend that parents start with their child’s school counselor. Your counselor can gather information and help guide you on the steps to request a disability evaluation, support for your child, or information on referrals for gifted services. For more information, please contact these RISD central office departments:
RISD Child Find, for disability evaluations and services: 469-593-7523
Counseling and Prevention Services, for counseling support: 469-593-9142
Advanced Learning Services, for gifted assessments and services (for further questions, contact info is available through links)
Families can also receive support from fellow parents through the SAGE PTA, a districtwide PTA formed to support families of students with diverse learning needs, to advocate for students and teachers, and to educate the community. We encourage families to email us at risdsagepta@gmail.com to seek support or information. We are here for you!
February 2024: Teen Dating Violence: Awareness and Prevention
Each February, Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month enables parents and schools to have conversations that can keep teens safer when dating. Many parents are surprised to learn how common dating violence is. Quick facts:
Nearly 1 in 5 teens experience physical or sexual dating violence.
More than 1 in 3 teens are victims of psychological dating violence.
Females are more likely than males to be dating violence victims in heterosexual relationships, but it can also happen to males, as well as in same-sex relationships.
Teen relationship abuse happens in all income levels and types of neighborhoods.
The impact of dating violence can include decreasing grades, more school absences, more risk of drug use, and greater likelihood of suicidal thoughts or attempts.
Because only one third of teens in abusive relationships tell anyone, and rarely tell parents, it is important for parents to watch for changes in behavior and to learn warning signs. Texas law requires districts to educate students on dating violence, and school prevention programs can reduce the likelihood teens will be involved in abusive dating.
The role of parents is very important. We can talk with our teens about what healthy relationships look like, and we can encourage them to come to us with concerns about their dating or the relationships of their friends. These conversations can be hard, but they can help our teens stay safer and healthier as they grow, learn, and become adults.
January 2024: Bullying Prevention and Social Inclusion
None of us want our kids to be bullied or to engage in bullying. Unfortunately, it is very common. Quick nationwide facts from the CDC and the PACER Center:
1 in 5 high school students are bullied at school
More than 1 in 6 high school students were bullied electronically in the last year
LGBTQ+ students are nearly twice as likely to be bullied
Students with disabilities are 2 to 3 times more likely to be bullied
Bullying negatively affects concentration, learning, and attendance
Students involved with bullying are more likely to engage in suicide-related behaviors.
One form of bullying is relational/social, which involves spreading rumors and/or exclusion from a group. Below are a few questions parents might consider to help with prevention.
If your child tells you about bullying, how can you show that you take them seriously?
Do you know warning signs to watch for, such as changes in behavior?
Can you monitor technology use and set tech boundaries?
Does your child know strategies for responding to bullying?
How does your family model inclusion of peers with differences? Are there additional ways you could try?
How can we encourage being an upstander when we see unkind behavior or exclusion?
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SAGE PTA is grateful that RISD ensures all students know how to report bullying at school. Please join us in supporting RISD, in talking with our children, and in helping to make our schools safe and inclusive for every single child.
December 2023: Embracing Individuals with Disabilities
December 3 is recognized as the “International Day of Persons with Disabilities.” In the United States, about 1 in every 4 adults and nearly 1 in 6 students in public schools have a disability (CDC, NCES).
The way we talk about disabilities affects how our children feel about people with disabilities! Below are some questions parents might consider when disabilities come up in conversation.
How can I help my child to feel empathy (different from sympathy) for children and adults with disabilities?
When we meet someone with a disability, how can I help my child focus on the person first, before the disability?
How can I talk with my child about forming friendships, and about inviting and including other children their age, especially people with differences?
In what ways can we show respect for the strengths and lived experiences of people with disabilities?
Does my child know that their peers may need assistance or resources (such a wheelchair, special instruction, or therapy) to access the same education? Do they know that sometimes students travel between classrooms to receive services, and that we can help by welcoming and supporting students who learn in different ways?
How can I help my child understand that not all disabilities are visible to our eyes, that some disabilities are “hidden,” as with differences like dyslexia, and that we can help by respecting both the struggles and strengths of other learners?
SAGE PTA suggests the resources below as a starting point to explore this topic. Thank you for helping to create an inclusive world for children of all abilities!
Resource: How to Teach Children About Disabilities and Inclusion (Baylor University)
Video: Things People With Disabilities Wish You Knew (Buzzfeed)
Resource: Talking About Disability (New York Public Schools)
Resource: How to Talk to Kids About Disabilities (Verywell Family)
#UnderstandingDifferences #RISDBelievesInAllAbilities #RISDWeAreOne
November 2023: Dietary Differences in our Community
Students and teachers in our community have a wide variety of dietary needs and practices! Some of us have disabilities or medical conditions that require us to avoid certain foods. A few of these conditions include:
Celiac disease: when gluten, found in wheat and some other grains, causes damage to the digestive system, leading to other health problems
Food allergies: when certain nuts, fruits, or other foods cause allergic reactions ranging from mild to extremely dangerous (life-threatening)
Diabetes: when a person must monitor blood sugar levels, affecting what and when they can eat
Gastrostomy tube (G-tube): when certain medical conditions make it hard to get enough nutrition by mouth, a G-tube is sometimes needed to bring nutrition and fluid directly to the stomach
Lactose intolerance or sensitivity: when a person has to limit the amount and type of dairy they consume
Sensory sensitivities: when people have diagnoses that include heightened sensitivity to textures, and they need to avoid certain foods.
Many religious, cultural, and ethical beliefs also include observing special diets! A few examples of these can include: fasting on religious holy days; refraining from eating pork, beef or shellfish; refraining from eating meat; avoiding using or eating animal products; choosing a food to give up for a religious observance; or eating special or traditional foods for certain holidays.
Dietary differences are often personal for the person following the diet. As parents, we can help our children to understand and respect these differences, and when we volunteer in our schools, we can ask and keep these in mind when planning activities that involve food. Most importantly, learning and teaching our children about these differences can help them to be accepting and supportive of their classmates and friends, both now and in the future.
#UnderstandingDifferences #RISDBelievesInAllAbilities #RISDWeAreOne