District 203 Sessions Focus on Stress Management, Emotional Health of Students

The following information comes from a Naperville Community Unit School District 203 press release. 

There was a continuous message during the nine-month community engagement process Future Focus: We need to help our students manage stress and provide balance to their lives.

During 2013, Superintendent Dan Bridges launched a unique community engagement initiative that spanned nine months. The goal of Future Focus was to gather input from stakeholders to help shape the future direction of the school district.

One of the biggest concerns that emerged was the Social Emotional teaching and health of our students. “We heard from all segments of our community and this was a common theme – helping our students find balance,” said Superintendent Dan Bridges.

This is one of several engagement initiatives that will be offered in the future. Future Focus participants said there was a continuous desire to “educate, collaborate and communicate” on specific topics of interest.”

“We hope that this will be the first of several discussions that we as parents, teachers, community members and leaders can do to help ensure children live healthy, well-balanced lives,” he said. 

To begin a community dialog that allows parents and community members to learn from each other, the entire community is invited to Focus203: Social Emotional Health & Well Being. 

Focus203 will be held during two sessions Wednesday, March 26 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Naperville Central Cafeteria (Entrance No. 8), and Thursday, March 27 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Grace Methodist Church, 300 E. Gartner, Naperville. The two sessions will be identical in presentations. 

Parents, high school students, Naperville area social service agencies, mental health providers, educators are all encouraged to attend.

In these sessions, District 203 staff will outline what experts believe our students need to learn to be healthy both emotionally and socially. And, then we’ll ask participants their priorities and brainstorm on how we can work together in best serving our children. The District will also provide participants with a toolkit so they can be the best parent or community resource they can be.

“We hope to come together as a community to support Social Emotional Learning of our students,” said Community Relations Director Julie Carlsen.