Student and Parent Information

Many times in life, we must keep moving to overcome obstacles and challenges. In this instance, moving physically, mentally and spiritually/emotionally can help in our everyday activities; here are some tips to keep moving – no matter how small the step forward.

MOVE PHYSICALLY:

Being at home can sometimes create challenges to physical movement, yet actively moving, working out, even dancing can help you when feeling sad or anxious. One can express feelings through movement. Consider some of the following activities if able:

• Look up free movement/exercise programs – Youtube and many trainers are posting workout programs. Many of these programs use effective body weight training. Make sure you are doing exercises you have experience performing. Many times the most simple exercises are the most beneficial.
• Walk or run your dog – Remember to practice social distancing.
• Stretch or do yoga – especially if you need to relax or when you are stressed. Concentrate on your breathing.
• Dance – Get your favorite playlist and dance. No coordination needed. Just have fun. Feel the music and MOVE!!!

MOVE MENTALLY:

Avoid being stagnant/stuck in your mind. Keep on top of your school's distance learning and find hobbies or interests that will help challenge your mind. Here are some ideas to help you stay mentally alert.

• Read
• Board games/Card games/Puzzles
• Start a virtual chat group to discuss school subjects or topics of interest
• Learn a new skill – Sing, play an instrument, etc

MOVE EMOTIONALLY/SPIRITUALLY:

During difficult times, many different emotions may surface. Moving emotionally/spiritually can help deal with these emotions. For some, faith is essential in dealing with these uncertain times. For others, speaking to family or friends is crucial in dealing with feelings. Be aware of your feelings. Identify the feelings. Share your feelings and move forward. Here are some ideas to consider:

• Write your feelings down – use a journal or notebook and write about your feelings. If the feeling causes distress, make sure you are communicating with a trusted adult. Also, write in your journal ways you have dealt with your stress in the past and use those strategies.
• Continue to keep in touch with family, friends and classmates. Continue to check-in with others through texts but I challenge you to call at least one person outside of your immediate family and talk to him or her. If Grandparents do not live with you, call them.  The goal is to hear a voice of someone and have interaction. People, you may want to contact, can include grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends you haven’t spoken to, people in your church like a Pastor or Priest. Pick up the phone and make a connection.
• Create or participate in fun activities. With technology, you can find fun activities/games or create some type of activity that you enjoy. For some, it may be playing online games. For others, it could be a challenge like a 30 day photo challenge. For stressful times, it helps to schedule time into your daily routine to keep things light and positive.
  • Mesa Ridge has some daily challenges posted on our social media page. Participate In those to help move through your emotions.

Please know that the Counseling Center is available to you from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday. If you would like to connect with your Counselor, email your counselor to schedule a time to make contact with you during the day.

Any emails or communication outside of working hours may not be addressed immediately. Please give counselors or staff 24-48 hours to respond or set up a phone appointment.

For more immediate concerns/emergencies, here is a list of resources in the community that are readily available.

• If you think someone is in immediate danger, contact 911.
• If you are concerned about a student and want to place an anonymous tip, contact Safe2Tell at 1-877-542-7233 or visit their website.
• If you are struggling and need to talk to someone immediately,  please call 1-844-493-8255 or 719-493-8255 or text "TALK" to 38255 to reach Colorado Crisis Services, a 24/7 confidential hotline.
• AspenPointe’s hotline for those who need to talk immediately is 719-635-7000. This line will connect you with a referral specialists to help address your needs.
• AspenPointe Walk-in clinic is located at 115 S. Parkside and open 24/7.

There are some great websites that also offer support and helpful hints in dealing with this unprecedented time. CDC has a page for helping managing the stress caused by COVID 19 at:

**Please also visit our Mental Health Resources tab located on this page for phone numbers and websites for several resources.**

MRHS Homework Procedure:

Counseling Center will request homework for a student that is absent three days in a row and did not have the time to complete the pre-arranged absence process.  Per parent request.

Teachers are given 24-hour notice to allow them adequate time to gather homework. 

Parent may request homework for a student who is absent for two weeks (10 days) due to extenuating circumstances (i.e. medical related, loss of a family member, etc...).  Additional homework past 10 days will not be collected until previous work has been submitted to the Counseling Center.  At that time, the parent must contact the Dean of Students for approval for additional homework. 

This procedure applies to students who are absent three days or more consecutively.  If a student comes back one day, the process starts over.  In this situation, the student is responsible for obtaining a Triple Advisory pass from the Attendance office.  The Triple Advisory pass provides the student with the opportunity to communicate with teachers and collect homework.  

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Teachers please make sure that when a student and/or parent request homework due to an unforeseen circumstance (pre-arranged absence procedure has not been completed) they are referred to the Counseling Center to submit a homework request.  Students who are absent longer than two weeks (10 days) will need to submit their completed homework to the Counseling Center for tracking purposes.

Students that are absent five school days or more, should be given an “M” for assignments that are missing due to being absent.  A student will have two days to make-up work for each day absent.  This provides and accurate reflection of student’s grade.

Counseling Center: (719)391-3631

Attendance Office: (719)391-3600

Dean of Students: (719)391-3615

There are many issues that face our youth today, and one of our goals as a counseling center is to provide families with community resources to meet your student’s specific mental health and emotional needs. Though school counselors are available to help students during the school day, our goal is also to empower families to access more comprehensive services.

In addition to many community resources, we have linked some online assistance through articles and links. We hope these resources will help you and your family with your specific needs.

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:  800-273-Talk(8255)

• Aspen Pointe Crisis Hotline:  844-943-8255
  • 719-572-6100 (call for initial intake)
  • 719-635-7000 (for more immediate concerns)
• Cedar Springs Hospital:  719-633-4114  (referrals and assessments 24/7)    
• Peak View Behavioral Health:  719-444-8484 (assessments 24/7)

• Safe2Tell: 1-877-542-SAFE(7233) (Anonymous tip of student concern)

• Second Wind Fund   702-962-0706
  • The Second Wind Fund is available for your referrals of students who are at risk for suicide and who are facing social or financial barriers to receiving therapy. 

• BHCONN Behavioral Health Connect: Co-responder program
  • Clinician and police
  • 719-390-2090
  • 719-338-7942

• Non-Emergency Welfare Check   719-390-5555 x9

ADDITIONAL HELPFUL RESOURCES:

LGBT National Help Center:

Reasons to volunteer: Pay it forward, Help your community, College and Scholarship Awards

Places to try:

• Humane Society
• Penrose Hospital
• Habitat of Humanity
• Local Hospitals
• The Rocky Mountain Field Institute
• Your church
• Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
• Get involved in a cause to help others

Please fill out the parent consent form from the link below if you would like your student to engage in services or activities with the Military and Family Life Counselor. If you have questions or are interested in services, please contact Trish Wakawa at 719-367-1409 or wakawatrish@wsd3.org. Thank you!

MFLC Consent Form
 

PLEASE CLICK ON THE BUTTON BELOW TO VIEW THE DISTRICT GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

gRADUATION rEQUREMENTS

What is an ICAP/4 Year Plan of Study?

ICAP is an Individual Career and Academic Plan or plan of study designed to guide students in post-secondary planning and providing individual pathway options. Post-secondary planning assists students with career planning for life. It can include military career options, trade and vocational schooling, two year and four year colleges or the world of work.

Why are ICAPs/Plan of Study’s important?

• Planning for life after high school is a multi-year process. Mesa Ridge High School Counselors meet with grade level advisory classes to provide valuable resources and information to help students in creating a meaningful ICAP.
• ICAPs and yearly NAVIANCE tasks are a graduation requirement.
• When families, students and schools work together, it helps students explore different careers or goals thus creating a successful ICAP/Plan of study while in high school.
• Postsecondary and Workforce readiness: ICAP is the avenue for students to explore careers and create action steps in meeting career goals. Students complete yearly milestones in the NAVIANCE program to assist with ICAP development.
• Creating a culture where parents, students, schools, industry professionals and community leaders help students gain knowledge, soft skills and explore pathways are key to creating successful ICAPS.
• Family role in ICAP
  • Continue to communicate with your student about goals after high school.
  • Be involved and track student’s progress towards graduation and educational/Work/Military goals.
    • Visit NAVIANCE to view your student’s input with interest inventories, game plans and surveys.
    • Based off career interests, you can look at an actual plan of study in NAVIANCE to guide students in the classes to enroll while in high school.
    • You can also look at colleges of interest and gather information regarding financial aid and scholarships.
• Yearly ICAP development with Mesa Ridge High School Counseling Center
  • Mesa Ridge High School Counselors present valuable information to advisory classes to guide students for success at Mesa Ridge and to plan for their future.
  • Since advisory classes are grade level, Counselors present information appropriate to the grade level for future planning .
  • Counselors provide tasks for students to complete to gain an understanding of individual goals and how these tie to postsecondary goals/planning. These tasks are accessed through the NAVIANCE Program.

Grade level presentations/task completion

• GRADE 9
  • Review resources for success at MRHS
  • Complete Interest profiler
  • Create ICAP/4 year Plan of Study
  • Create a post-secondary goal
• GRADE 10
  • Complete a Personality Profile
  • Update ICAP/4 year Plan of Study
  • Review Resume Builder and encourage to start
  • Review and update career goal
• GRADE 11
  • Update ICAP/4 year Plan of Study & resume
  • Complete the Game Plan and/or College Search
  • Junior Survey
  • Introduce financial resources if applicable
• Grade 12
  • Add ACT/SAT scores
  • Finalize ICAP/4 year Plan of Study and Resume
  • Post-Secondary Action plan and senior meetings
  • Includes information and guidance of the following:
  • Apply for colleges
  • Apply to scholarships
  • Enlist in Military
  • World of work - Print resume
  • Senior Survey