THE ROAD MAP

In this newsletter, you’ll find:

🚦 First Stop (Education Department Layoffs)
🛤️ Site-seeing at mylemarks.com (NEW: The Mood Journal for Teens)
📡 On the Radar (Hip-hop therapy, The Trevor Project, and more)
📅 Mark Your Calendars
🤗 Sharing is Caring (spread the mylemarker love and earn)

Let’s go!

FIRST STOP

📉 Education Cuts Leave Students with Disabilities in Limbo

The recent mass layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education have raised serious concerns about the future of support for students with disabilities. This week, 1,300 employees were cut, including nearly half of the staff in the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and over 100 researchers from the Institute of Education Sciences. The OCR, already handling a backlog of 12,000 pending investigations, will now have fewer staff to enforce civil rights protections, half of which involve disability-related cases. Brittany Coleman, an attorney recently laid off, warned that delays in accommodations for students with disabilities could impact their grades, mental health, and future opportunities.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated that the agency will still fulfill legal requirements, though critics doubt it will be as effective. The Federal Student Aid office was also hit, cutting 300 employees, which could make it harder for students to access financial aid and Pell Grants. While conservatives argue that education should be left to the states, Democratic governors are pushing back, with some exploring legal action to challenge the cuts.

Meanwhile, regional Education Department offices in six major cities, including New York and Chicago, have been shut down entirely, leaving states scrambling for guidance. Denise Marshall, CEO of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, emphasized that educating students with disabilities requires specialized services and trained personnel, which these layoffs will significantly undermine.

SITE-SEEING at mylemarks.com

NEW: The Mood Journal for Teens

The Mood Journal for Teens is a guided journal designed to help teens track their emotions, recognize patterns, and develop healthy coping strategies. With daily mood check-ins, reflection prompts, and engaging activities, this journal encourages self-awareness and emotional growth. Teens can explore what influences their moods—like sleep, stress, relationships, and self-talk—while discovering tools to improve their emotional well-being.

✨ Preview the entire journal on the product description page before purchasing, and you can also purchase individual journal pages (Positive Affirmations for a Better Mood, Daily Mood Factors, Understanding Your Moods, and My Top 5 Mood Boosters) here!

Additional Related Resources

Explore our other resources related to The Mood Journal for Teens!

ON THE RADAR

🎶 Hip-Hop Therapy: A New Beat for Healing Teens

Hip-hop therapy is gaining traction in schools across the U.S., offering an alternative way for teens to process grief, trauma, and stress. The 14-week program blends journaling, breath management, and discussions on racial discrimination, violence, and identity while guiding students in turning their pain into music. Facilitator Jerome Cash believes changing the language around therapy makes it more accessible, especially for Black youth who often feel alienated by traditional mental health services.

Research supports this approach—music therapy has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression, and a 2022 study highlighted how Black adolescents are less likely to seek traditional mental health care due to stigma and access barriers. Family therapist George James stresses the importance of culturally relevant therapy, saying, "There’s something about therapy that meets you where you are." Through hip-hop, teens find a safe space to process emotions, build resilience, and feel seen in a way they hadn’t before.

🌈The Trevor Project’s 2024 Report: LGBTQ+ Youth Face Critical Mental Health Challenges

The Trevor Project has released its 2024 U.S. National Survey on LGBTQ+ youth mental health, gathering data from 18,000 young people nationwide. Findings reveal high rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, often linked to discrimination, bullying, and political hostility. In Florida, 37% of LGBTQ+ youth considered suicide, and 56% couldn’t access mental health care, while 92% felt negatively impacted by politics.

Midwestern states reported some of the highest rates of suicidal thoughts, while Northeastern states showed greater community acceptance. The report highlights that affirming environments and support systems significantly reduce suicide risk. This data underscores the urgent need to create inclusive, validating spaces. Read the full report for state-specific insights.

🌱A Call for Connection in Early Childhood

In today’s education system, there is an overwhelming focus on academic assessments, but Isabelle Hau argues that we are failing to measure what truly matters: relationships. In her new book, Love to Learn, Hau explores the profound impact of early, loving relationships on children's development, highlighting a growing “relational deprivation crisis.” Factors such as smaller families, reduced free play, and excessive screen time have led to a decline in meaningful connections, leaving many children without a single caring adult in their lives.

Research supports that strong relationships fuel cognitive and emotional growth, yet modern educational structures often overlook this crucial element. Hau’s insights reinforce the importance of prioritizing social connection, play, and emotional bonding in settings. Schools and caregivers must shift focus from standardized testing to fostering relational intelligence, ensuring that children grow up feeling secure, valued, and emotionally supported.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Here are some upcoming dates you should know!

• Neurodiversity Celebration Week (March 17–23) – Celebrates neurological differences and promotes acceptance and inclusion.

  RESOURCE: Neurodiversity Activity Templates

• St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) – Celebrates Irish culture and commemorates Saint Patrick, featuring parades and the wearing of green attire.

• World Down Syndrome Day (March 21) – Celebrates individuals with Down syndrome and advocates for their rights and inclusion.

• World Bipolar Day (March 30) – Seeks to raise awareness and eliminate stigma surrounding bipolar disorder.

APRIL

• National Autism Awareness Month – Focuses on increasing understanding and acceptance of individuals with autism

• Stress Awareness Month – Highlights the impact of stress on health and promotes coping strategies.

• Counseling Awareness Month – Recognizes the importance of professional counseling for mental wellness.