Important Update for Woodland 6th Grade Families: HB 123

Dear 6th Grade Parents and Guardians,

In every Friday's WOLF mail, I have been updating you on the implementation of HB123.  Our 6th grade students will participate in lessons related to this requirement with their homeroom teachers.  More communication as to when will be forthcoming.

As part of HB123, school staff are working to teach students about mental health and how to seek help if they are worried about themselves or a friend. We are using a program called SOS Signs of Suicide. The program teaches students about this difficult topic and encourages them to seek help. 

SOS has been used by thousands of schools over the past few decades. Studies have shown that it effectively teaches students about depression and suicide while reducing the number of students’ self-reported suicide attempts.  

Through the program, students learn: 

• that depression is treatable, so they are encouraged to seek help  
• how to identify depression and potential suicide risk in themselves or a friend 
• to ACT (Acknowledge, Care and Tell a trusted adult) if concerned about themselves or a friend 
• who they can turn to at school for help, if they need it  

Students will watch age-appropriate video clips and participate in a guided discussion about depression, suicide, and what to do if they are concerned about a friend. Following the video, students will complete a “check out”  which asks whether they would like to talk to an adult about any concerns. School counselors will conduct brief meetings with any student asking to talk. 

We encourage you to visit www.sossignsofsuicide.org/parent for information on warning signs for youth suicide, useful resources, and some of the key messages students will learn. 

On the day of the presentation, we will send:  

• An infographic for you to reinforce the ACT message at home 
• An info sheet with resources  

If you opted your student out of these lessons, students will be given alternate activities in a separate location.

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s participation in this program please email me or contact me at 513-779-7775.

Sincerely,

John Wise, Principal