Dear Intermediate School Parents,

We are writing to share information about our annual IS Mental Health Assembly, which will be held on Wednesday, April 5. This assembly, along with mental health awareness lessons in advisory and Seminar, helps ensure that students are well informed about this important topic.

To help you in conversations that may come up following the program, this letter includes key messages that will be delivered at the assembly and resources that can help you as you talk with your child.

Core Messages
Two US students will present at the assembly, and three messages will emerge through their personal stories:

Regularly engage in activities that promote personal health and wellness (physical activity, mindfulness, sleep, extracurricular activities, etc.).
Recognize how interactions with your peers can have a dramatic impact, both positive and negative, on the mental health of others.
Seek support from trusted adults as soon as signs of depression or any other mental health challenge emerge.

Assembly Follow-Up

Following the assembly, US Peer Leaders will meet with each IS advisory to help process what was shared and distill important takeaways. Following the advisory sessions, the 7-12 Counseling Team will be available to talk with students. Additionally, later in the week, there is an optional opportunity for further conversation during lunchtime, where students can reflect on the topic of mental health and ways to support each other in the IS community and beyond.

This assembly is for IS students and faculty only; those with the courage to share are doing so with this audience in mind.

To help you engage your child in mental health and wellness discussions, here are resources and a conversation guide that you may find helpful.

Conversation Guide for Parents

I heard this week's IS assembly topic was mental health and that Upper Schoolers lead conversations and answered student questions.

What was this experience like for you?
What did the mental health conversations get you to think about?
Did you learn something new?
Did anything surprise you?
What is something about mental health that you wish you knew more about?
Have you thought to which adults, in and out of school, you would turn if you were struggling with your mental health? Or, how to be a friend to a classmate who shared that they were struggling?

Additional Resources for Parents
What Do You Do If You’re Concerned About Your Teen’s Mental Health
Mental Health America: Talking to Adolescents and Teens
Concerned about your kind’s mental health? How to talk to them

Thank you for helping us support our students' development and well-being. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of us with questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Ryan Woods
Head of Intermediate School

Weezie Parry
Grades 5-8 Counselor

Paul Singleton II
Grades 7-12 Counselor and DEI Coordinator

Greg Mueller
Grade 7 Dean

Sara Matey
Grade 8 Dean