Download a printable English & Spanish PDF newsletter here or read below.
Let's Talk Newsletter Summer 2024
Get the FACTS!
Youth vaping remains a public health concern. In 2022, the annual National Youth Tobacco Survey found that more than 2.5 million youth use e-cigarettes. Many teens vape on a regular basis, and most choose flavored e-cigarettes. Many kids think vaping is harmless, but it can have serious health consequences. Given the right tools and information, parents, educators, and other influential adults can make a profound difference in the lives of their children and students by sharing the facts and tips to help them stay safe.
Resources
Teens may not know the signs of nicotine addiction. If you think your child is vaping, talk to them about why it is harmful. Ask for support from others. Remember: It’s never too late to get help.
- Signs of Addiction:
- Cravings to use e-cigarettes or other tobacco products
- Feeling anxious or irritable
- Continuing to vape despite negative consequences
- Going out of one’s way to get e-cigarettes
- Getting Help:
- Talk to your family doctor about treatment options
- Visit smokefree.gov
- CDC Quitline: 1.800.QUIT.NOW
- For Young People: Text DITCHJUUL to 88709
- For Families Helping Young People: Text “QUIT” to 202.899.7550
- Vaping Prevention and Education Resource Center: digitalmedia.hhs.gov/tobacco/educator_hub
- To help advance health equity and facilitate the reduction of tobacco-related health disparities for all people, FDA recently launched a Spanish-language version of the resource center.
- All content on the resource center is free, easy to navigate, and optimized for different audiences. There are materials for parents and teens, including blogs, videos, and fact sheets.
Healthy Habits at Home
The environment in your home plays a big role in your child’s decisions. Keep it healthy to help kids avoid harmful habits.
- If you smoke or vape, try quitting. Teens report that one of the top reasons they try e-cigarettes is that a friend or family member uses them. Share the reasons why you want to quit, and ask your family for their support as you start your journey.
Establish a tobacco-free home. Don’t allow smoking or vaping in your home. Make sure to ban smoking and vaping in your car too.
- Steer clear of smoking and vaping in public places. Avoid restaurants, parks, and other locations that allow people to smoke or vape.
- Set family health goals each week. Take a walk together around the neighborhood, try a new vegetable each week at dinner, do one-minute yoga stretches together, or challenge everyone to drink more water. Working as a team keeps it fun!
Summer Tips for Mental Health Wellness
Summer can disrupt our normal routines. Children are out of school, parents take vacations from work, and there are sports, camping trips, and other fun outdoor activities that can be chaotic. Here are some ways parents can help their teens have a great summer and promote mental health wellness:
- Help them prioritize sleep: Over one-third of all teens get only five to six hours of sleep a night, according to a 2010 study in the Journal of Adolescent Health, while the optimal sleep amount for teens is 9.25 hours nightly. The summer is the perfect time to set healthy sleep habits that will last your child a lifetime. Together with your child, choose a bedtime that ensures they get more routine quality sleep.
- Schedule family time: Even though summer schedules can have everyone going in different directions, be intentional about connecting as a family several times a week. Plan activities like cookouts, movie nights, or trips to the zoo. Carve out time to have real conversations and be sure they aren’t one-sided.
- Encourage learning: Help your teen learn a new skill by taking a class, reading, or listening to TED talks. The options are endless, with classes for cooking, coding, art, music, language, sports, crafting, and more. This can help your teen get excited about learning something new, allow them. To meet people with similar interests, make new friends, and build confidence!
- Keep them moving: Encourage your child to get up off the couch and head outdoors for some physical activity every day, which increases blood circulation, improves mood by releasing endorphins and helps them stay in shape. Encourage your teen to go for a walk, run, or bike ride, or play a game with friends.
- Encourage them to help others: Not only does a summer job teach your child a work ethic, responsibility and time management, it builds their self-esteem, shapes their identity and can be a source of joy, says Magee. Help them brainstorm workplaces that interest them. For example, a budding horticulturist might enjoy working at a local nursery. A future teacher will learn a lot from being a camp counselor. Your teen can volunteer at a library, animal shelter, or day camp, or tutor other students.
Internet Safety This Summer
by Shawna, Human Trafficking Advocate at Mirror Ministries
I was just at the children's justice conference last month and someone said something very powerful:
"When I am giving my child a phone, I am not giving my child access to the world, I am giving the world access to my child."
Unfortunately sexortation is HUGE and especially with pre-teen/teen's as they are often trying to find themselves, are curious, and their hormones are at an all time high. They are also extremely vulnerable due to all of this. We have seen a significant increase in healthy adults reaching out because their child has been caught up in it and unfortunately it also leads to high suicidal ideation.
As for the healthy adults in a child's life, I would say trying to be as calm and open during this time in their life is key. Maybe bringing up that they heard about this type of thing happening and want to make sure they know about it so they don't accidently fall prey to it. Letting them know that there is an open door policy when it comes to their child's safety no matter what the situation is, even if it seems embarrassing or humiliating, that they would rather have a little uncomfortable time than have the child going through something like that thinking they are alone. I think if a child has the reassurance that they can go to you for anything all the chances are better. Foster those positive relationships with your child as much as you can.
Summer Activities
- Art YOUR Way Summer Art Workshops
- Various dates in July & August
- 12-2 PM
- Art YOUR Way | 6303 Burden Blvd. A, Pasco
- Art YOUR Way is hosting themed week-long summer art workshops. The cost is $199 for five days of fun. All supplies will be provided along with a snack and drink. The recommended ages are kids ages 7-14. Some themes include: Under the Sea and Exploring Japanese Culture & Kawaii Creations.
- To check out all the themes and sign up: www.artyourway.org/childrensworkshopsandclasses
- Mid-Columbia Libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge
- June 1 - August 17
- This year’s theme is “Are you READY to BELIEVE?” To check out additional dates and times for other Mid-Columbia Libraries activities check out midcolumbialibraries.org to view branch calendars. Some additional activities include Reptile Man, Reptile Lady, Glow Hike, and Ice-Cream Science.
- For registration, prizes, and details visit midcolumbialibraries.org
- Family Bingo @ The Hub
- FREE
- Wednesdays
- 5 PM
- 6481 W. Skagit Ave, Kennewick
- Summer Saturday’s Night Market
- Saturdays | June 8 - July 13
- 4-8 PM
- 325 E. Columbia Gardens Way, Kennewick
- Art in The Park Festival
- July 26-27
- 8 AM - 6 PM
- Howard Amon Park | 500 Amon Park Dr., Richland
- Come see local art exhibit at the park!
- Atomic Kids Bowl Free
- Monday-Friday
- 11 AM to 12 AM
- Atomic Bowl | 624 Wellsian Way, Richland
- The Kids Bowl Free Program is to enable families with a fun activity to do together or to entertain kids during the warmer, longer days of school vacation. Each child can play two free games every day! Atomic Bowl in Richland is a participating location. Register by March 1st for your kids to bowl free this spring and summer.
- Register at www.kidsbowlfree.com
- Pasco Fairchild Cinemas Free Movies
- Wednesdays & Thursdays starting June 19
- Show Times: 9:10, 9:20, 9:30, 9:40 (Special Needs), 9:50, and 10:00 AM
- 5020 Convention Dr., Pasco
- Free summer movies every Wednesday and Thursday.
Safe Driving Tips
Parents, you are the biggest influence on your teen’s driving behavior. Talk to your teen about:
- Impairment
- Seat Belt Use
- Distracted Driving
- Speeding
- Passengers
- Drowsy Driving
from our partners Jennifer Dorsett & David Dorsett (Region 14 Target Zero Managers): wtsc.wa.gov/target-zero-managers/region-fourteen-bio
This newsletter is a product of the ESD 123 Student Support Department. For more information or access to additional resources please visit www.esd123.org/services/student-support or contact Briseida Chavez, [email protected] and Monica Garcia, [email protected]