🗺️ The Roadmap

In this newsletter, you’ll find:

🚦 First stop (how shortages in Special Ed are impacting students)

💡 Resource spotlight (FREE Download: My Summer Challenge)

🤔 In the know (Sharenting, Medicaid unwinds, and more)

📊 Results are in (Poll results from the last edition)

✍🏽 U(r)-Turn (Let’s hear from you!)

🚦 First Stop

Navigating the Special Education Staff Shortage

In Del Norte County, California, the severe shortage of special education staff is causing significant educational disruptions for students with disabilities. This crisis is highlighted by the story of 17-year-old Emma, who has multiple disabilities and has missed crucial schooling due to the absence of a dedicated aide. The lack of qualified personnel has forced Emma to miss school and caused her to regress in important communication skills, impacting her overall development and participation in loved activities like dance and art classes.

This situation in Del Norte is a stark representation of a broader national crisis, as school districts across the U.S. struggle to fill special education positions, a challenge exacerbated by competitive wages in other sectors and the demanding nature of the roles. The consequences of these staffing shortages extend beyond daily educational disruptions; they undermine the legal assurances provided by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which guarantees educational rights to all students with disabilities. The ongoing legal actions by affected families underscore the critical need for systemic reforms to ensure consistent and effective support for these students.

For more details, you can read the full story on NPR.

💡 Resource Spotlight

FREE Download: My Summer Challenge

With summer break quickly approaching, setting a goal over the summer is helpful for kids as it provides structure, keeps them engaged, and helps them maintain a sense of purpose.

It’s also an opportunity for kids to learn new skills or improve existing ones. The "My Summer Challenge" worksheet is designed to help kids identify a summer goal, encourage self-reflection, and promote a sense of accomplishment. Spanish version included in the download!

Need ideas for a summer challenge?

• Read a certain number of books or pages.

• Exercise for a specific amount of time each day.

• Write a short story, poem, or daily journal entry.

• Make a new piece of art or complete a craft project.

• Learn to cook a new recipe.

• Build a machine, do science experiments, or learn to code.

• Learn a certain number of new words.

• Do a certain number of random acts of kindness each day.

• Complete a puzzle.

• Learn to play a new instrument or practice singing a new song.

• Grow and take care of a small garden or potted plant.

• Volunteer for a local organization or community project.

• Explore new places in your local area, like parks or museums.

• Memorize a poem, speech, or a set of facts.

• Practice a sport to improve your skills or learn a new one.

• Do activities that help the environment, like recycling or a cleanup project.

• Learn and practice new life skills, like tying shoelaces, riding a bike, or doing laundry.

If you like this, you may LOVE:

✨ Summer Scrapbook | Motivational Progress Tracker | SMART Goals

Did You Miss Our Latest Release?

The Care Cube is a game crafted to help children learn empathy and compassion through play. This download features a foldable cube and 40 Scenario cards designed to engage children in thoughtful discussions about empathy and perspective-taking. 8 blank Scenario cards are included for customization and personalization.

🤔 In the Know

👧 Children at Risk: The Hidden Cost of Medicaid Unwinding

The unwinding of Medicaid post-pandemic has disproportionately impacted children, with many states reporting higher-than-expected disenrollment rates among this vulnerable group. This reduction in coverage could lead to significant gaps in healthcare access for children, potentially affecting their long-term health and development. The situation calls for a thorough examination of the processes and policies affecting these disenrollments to mitigate adverse effects on child health.

Read the full article on Healthcare Brew for a more detailed look at how children are being impacted.

🌐 But What Will People Say?'

Sahaj Kaur Kohli's book, "But What Will People Say?" delves into the mental health challenges faced by children of immigrants, navigating the cultural clash between their parents' community-oriented values and Western individualism. Kohli combines memoir and self-help to guide readers through managing guilt, identity conflicts, and family dynamics, rooted in her experiences and therapeutic practice. This book aims to validate and address the unique struggles of this demographic, providing insights that resonate beyond just children of immigrants. For a deeper understanding, explore the full insights on CNN.

✨ For helpful resources on working with children of immigrants, check out some of our resources in the Diversity and Inclusion category including Where I’m From and My Culture and Traditions.

🏫 Should Misbehaving Students Stay in Class?

A special education coach argues that sending misbehaving students out of the classroom can undermine a teacher's authority, suggesting that it teaches students disruptive tactics to avoid class. Instead, she advocates for managing behavior within the classroom to maintain control and respect. This perspective is contested by some educators who emphasize removing disruptive students to preserve a conducive learning environment for others. For a deeper dive into the debate on classroom management strategies, read the full story on YourTango.

🤳 The Hidden Costs of Sharenting

The TechRadar article discusses "sharenting" (a portmanteau of share and parenting) where parents post extensive content about their children online, often from a very young age. This trend raises critical privacy concerns and exposes children to risks such as identity theft and online predators. Psychologically, sharenting can impact children's sense of identity and autonomy, as they grow up with a pre-formed digital persona created without their consent. This can lead to distress and confusion during their formative years as they strive to establish their own identity.

🛡️ Positive Experiences Combat Teen Depression

The article from Neuroscience News discusses research highlighting that positive childhood experiences can act as a buffer against teenage depression, even when adverse experiences are present. Such positive experiences include supportive social circles, familial support during challenges, community belonging, and safety provided by adults at home. Dr. Hasina Samji, the senior author, emphasizes the importance of fostering these positive environments in early childhood to enhance mental health resilience in adolescents.

📊 Results Are In

In the last edition of the mylemarker, we asked, How well do schools currently support grieving students? from our feature article from Chalkbeat. See the results and a few responses below!

✍🏽 U(r)-Turn

We’d love to hear from you! What resources, topics, activities, or products would you like to see from Mylemarks? What else can we do to improve your experience with the mylemarker? Let us know here! Or if you have something nice to say about us, consider leaving a testimonial!