VAHS Service Club "Light The Night" Fundraising Page

Please join the VAHS Service Club in bringing light to the darkness of cancer! We are forming a fundraising walk team for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Light The Night. Register today HERE to join our team or make a donation and help fund cancer cures!

By donating today, you can help children like Ben. In 2019, at four years old, he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Though there were many difficulties along the way, he finished treatment in June of 2022 and has returned to school. Now that he’s done with treatment, Ben spends more time with friends, and says he’s looking forward to all sorts of adventures out in the world! 

Funds raised through Light The Night allow LLS to fund treatments for patients who are suffering from all forms of blood cancers. LLS has helped fund over 70% of FDA-approved blood cancer treatments since 2016.

Help defeat the darkness of cancer. Please donate today to continue to help patients and their families across the country!

 

A Back to School Toolkit for Families

Learn how to start the  school year being Confident and Connected! It all depends on a supportive environment. The Kohl’s Healthy at Home Back to School Toolkit is designed to help families prioritize physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Use the toolkit as a  guide to help make each day a healthy one, for yourself and the children you care for. 

Explore these hand-picked resources from AFHG's school health experts to help families prioritize physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Alliance For A Healthier Generation Toolkit

Also available in Spanish.

A Guided Loving-Kindness Meditation with Sharon Salzberg

 

Loving-kindness doesn’t ask us to love every person we meet. Sharon Salzberg describes it as realizing how interconnected all of our lives are. In this state, we come to see how the things we love and the choices we make ripple outwards.

In this guided meditation, Sharon Salzberg leads us through a loving-kindness practice for connection and awareness.

Loving Kindness Meditation

The Wade Edwards Learning Lab

Students and parents are encouraged to check out the WELL for positive youth development programs.  

https://www.wade.org/

What is The WELL? 

Our MISSION is to empower the high-school student community by providing opportunities for achievement, enrichment, and service, enabling lifelong academic, professional and personal success.

Each student who walks in our door has his or her own unique needs. We work to engage students within their different social groups (communities, schools, peer groups, families) and to recognize and utilize their existing strengths to help prepare them for the future.  

How we help.

The WELL offers various programs designed to create possibilities, expand opportunities, and build skills for the classroom and the workforce. We believe that serving the academic needs of students is not enough. Our focus is on developing the whole student by nurturing their personal and academic growth at the same time. 

Programming at the WELL includes activities and evidence based programs that incorporate the theory of positive youth development through intentional, positive approaches that promote positive outcomes for young people.

How to Bring More Ease, Joy, and Purpose to Your High School Life: 5 Practical Tips for 9th-11th Graders

 How to Bring More Ease, Joy, and Purpose to Your High School Life:

5 Practical Tips for 9th-11th Graders

Feb, 10th @ 4-5pm Pacific Time (7-8pm ET)

On this session, you'll learn:

• How to Discover Your Superpowers (in ~20 Minutes)
• How to Identify a Community Service Project That Matters
• How US Colleges Perceive Students Who Are Uncertain of Their Major or Change Their Mind
• What to Do If You Feel Your Interests Are Common or Boring
• Finding Your Why (aka Considering the Benefits of Skipping College or Taking a Gap Year)
• A Walk-Through of Two Outstanding College Applications By Students Who Did Some of These Things + What You Can Learn from Them
• Q&A

Register Here

A Mindfulness Practice for Wearing a Mask

Pulmonologist Ni-Cheng Liang takes a look at how the breath—a common anchor of attention in meditation—can be triggering. Explore her masking practice to calm feelings of anxiety and stress when we’re unable to comfortably connect with the in or out breath.

https://www.mindful.org/a-mindfulness-practice-for-wearing-a-mask/

Webinar: HOW THE CORONAVIRUS WILL IMPACT COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

HOW THE CORONAVIRUS WILL IMPACT COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

Wednesday, April 1st at 7:30 p.m. EST

Webinar Overview   The coronavirus outbreak in the United States has caused sweeping changes to every part of American life, and higher education has not escaped the disruption. Our co-founder, Vinay Bhaskara, will walk through how the college admissions process has been affected thus far for seniors, juniors, and underclassmen and share our projection for how the admissions and financial aid processes will change in the upcoming 2020-2021 cycle and beyond.    Register now to save your spot.   We’ll also open up the floor for a Q&A session to answer any and all questions about admissions, testing, and how paying for college will change due to the Coronavirus.

Disaster Distress Helpline

SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.

The Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990, is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after a disaster. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

Coronavirus Crash Course for Parents: Keeping Kids with ADHD in ‘Study Mode’ While Home from School

Live Webinar on March 19: Coronavirus Crash Course for Parents: Keeping Kids with ADHD in ‘Study Mode’ While Home from School

Register below for this free expert webinar to learn how to manage your child’s academics during the coronavirus outbreak on March 19, at 2 pm ET. Sign up and you will receive the free webinar replay link after 3/19 as well!

BY ANN DOLIN, M.ED.

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Register for this free webinar ►

Not available March 19? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.

Your child’s school has canceled in-person classes due to the coronavirus outbreak, and you are worried about an academic freefall and/or a homeschool free-for-all where you end up playing the homework police all day, every day — while also working from home? Here, learn how to apply structure to this unstructured time with solutions from educator and author Ann Dolin, M.Ed.

In this webinar, you will learn:

• Create simple routines throughout the day to help kids stay focused academically
• Foster independence in their work, so you don’t have to take on the role of ‘homeschool police’
• Set up a schedule for the right time of day and length of time for learning
• Create a balance of learning and free time to increase motivation based on your child’s age
• Encourage the right use of digital devices (just enough and not too much)
• Use the best tools and resources, even if you have no background in teaching

Have a question for our expert? There will be an opportunity to post questions for the presenter during the live webinar.

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Meet the Expert Speaker:

Ann Dolin M.Ed., has more than 25 years of teaching and tutoring experience. A former Fairfax County public school teacher, she founded Educational Connections, a tutoring and test-prep company that has grown to employ 200 tutors and work with more than 10,000 students in the Washington, D

ADHD EXPERT WEBINAR

EXPERT: Patrick LaCount, Ph.D. Wednesday, February 12 @ 1pm Eastern Time - Register now!   Can't attend the live webinar? Register now and we'll email you the replay link . . . . .

Solid evidence shows that exercise exerts powerful influence over the structure, function, and development of the brain. Learn about the latest research on the benefits for children and adults, the unique challenges of engaging in exercise when you have ADHD, and strategies for overcoming them. In this webinar, you will learn: The benefits of exercise on mental and physical health The neuropsychological factors that may make exercise particularly beneficial for people with ADHD The latest research on the benefits of physical exercise for children and adults with ADHD Strategies to help you overcome procrastination and lack of motivation regarding exercise

The expert Q&A webinar Move Forward: How Exercise Optimizes the ADHD Brain will take place Wednesday, February 12, 2020, from 1pm-2pm Eastern Time (12pm-1pm CT; 11am-12pm MT; 10am-11am PT). Find it in your time zone >

Register Now!

Anxiety: 12 Ways to Deactivate Your Panic Buttons

Panic Buttons: How to Stop Anxiety and Its Triggers

“Anxiety packs a 1-2 punch — first body panic, then mind panic. Fear follows you wherever you go.” If this sounds familiar, reclaim control of your mental and emotional health with these simple, everyday solutions explaining how to calm anxiety and stop panic attacks before they spiral out of control. 

ADDitude Anxiety Resources

Why Sugar is Kryptonite: ADHD Diet Truths

Does an ADHD diet work? Yes, following an ADHD nutrition plan rich in protein and vitamins can help control symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. But only if you avoid sugar, artificial flavors, and common allergens as well. Here’s what to eat and what to avoid.

Stay away from processed sugar!!! 

BY ADHD EDITORIAL BOARDMEDICALLY REVIEWED BY ADDITUDE’S ADHD MEDICAL REVIEW PANEL ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2019
Read the ADDitude Article Here

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Webinar: Recognizing and Managing Teen Anxiety

Watch our webinar on teen anxiety: Complete the post-survey by October 25th for a chance to win one of Lisa's workbooks!        Did you miss the Recognizing and Managing Teen Anxiety webinar? You can watch the webinar on demand at your convenience. Make sure to watch the webinar and complete the post-survey before October 25th, 2019, for your chance to win one of webinar presenter Lisa M. Schab's anxiety self-help books.

WATCH NOW

A Great Career in Less than a Year

The Duke Ophthalmic Technician Program, sponsored by Duke University School of Medicine, is an affordable 51-week accelerated certificate program with tremendous advantages and career advancement opportunities.

High school graduates interested in an allied health career are encouraged to apply.

Program Benefits Certificate from Duke University School of Medicine Clinic rotations after 3 months of classroom time Hands on experience in a fast-paced environment at a top ranked eye center Outstanding career advancement opportunities More than 90% of our graduates placed within one month of graduation

Please visit the website or contact me with questions about the program. I look forward to hearing from you and your interested students!

2019 Annual Health Careers Symposium

A Symposium for High School Students, Counselors, and Educators

The Volunteer Association of UNC Health Care is pleased to offer the Health Careers Symposium again this year as a unique opportunity to high school students interested in pursuing a health career. Neonatal Critical Care will be the morning topic, followed by a tour of our many hospitals and departments, as well as hands-on experience with our patient simulators.

Registration

To register, fill out and return the registration form. If you have questions or would like to have information sent directly to you, please contact us at volsvcs@unch.unc.edu or by telephone (984) 974-4793.

• Confidentiality Statement
• Patient Photograph/video & Information Release Authorization Forms

During the Symposium

The symposium will be held Thursday, October 17, 2019. Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m. in Carrington Hall, UNC School of Nursing at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

The program will include:

• Breakfast will be served from 8 to 9 a.m.
• Lunch provided by Chick-fil-A
• Afternoon hospital tours
• The program will be completed by 2:30 p.m.

Free ADHD Webinar

Live Webinar on September 30: What Is ADHD? Everything You Need to Know Before and After an ADHD Diagnosis

Register below for this free expert webinar to learn everything you need to know before and after an ADHD diagnosis, on Monday, September 30, at 1 pm ET.
Sign up and you will receive the free webinar replay link after 9/30 as well!

BY WILLIAM DODSON, M.D.

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Register for this free webinar ►

Not available September 30? Don’t worry. Register now and we’ll send you the replay link to watch at your convenience.

Part 1 of ADDitude’s 3-part ADHD Awareness Month Webinar Series

Every day 3,000 people of all ages and from all over the world are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD), and they take yet another step in the lifelong process of coming to know and manage their special type of nervous system. This process rarely follows a straight line. For every patient, it begins at different times and moves at different speeds along different paths — its efficiency and helpfulness largely determined by how well the patient understands the answer to this question: What is ADHD?

Knowing the facts about ADHD — how symptoms present in children, how symptoms present in adults, and the best treatment approaches for each — is key to managing the condition. Knowledge is considered the bedrock of a good treatment plan.

Educating yourself and your family about ADHD is tougher than you may think. Most physicians receive little training in ADHD during medical school. Often, they do an inadequate job of explaining what ADHD is, how to treat it, and how to live successfully with it. This webinar will fill in those holes — and get you off to a great start in understanding ADHD and how best to manage the condition in children and adults.

In this webinar you will learn about

• The positives and negatives of having an ADHD nervous system
• The key elements of a good, thorough ADHD evaluation
• The formal diagnostic criteria for ADHD — and what ADHD looks like at different stages of the life cycle
• Signs that indicate a person may have ADHD
• How to find a competent and willing clinician to help make the diagnosis and start a treatment plan
• How co-existing conditions complicate the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD

'Safe' teen drinking?

Referred to by social scientists as “harm reduction,” this strategy is more than just ineffective, say experts. It’s actually helping to fuel an epidemic of teenage binge drinking. 



Read the Article Here