Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Last year we started a monthly newsletter to share information and resources to support and empower you in your important roles at home. Thank you for the positive feedback!  We will continue to send monthly newsletters home and will work on updating the school websites with information that is easy to find when and if you need it.

Kelty Mental Health 

Kelty Mental Health has several resources, podcasts and events just in time for back to school!

• Recognizing Teen Anxiety: How to Support Your Child. Find videos and information on mental health topics in multiple languages through Linktree on Kelty’s Instagram page.
• School Anxiety: Getting Your Child Back to Their School Routine – Podcast. When anxiety gets in the way of a child going to or staying at school, this can be hard on the whole family. This episode looks at what’s behind school anxiety, when parents should reach out for help, tips for parents and caregivers to promote their own coping, and strategies to help getting children back in their school routine. Listen here.
• ADHD – The Real Deal – FamilySmart Online Event. ADHD doesn’t just affect the person living with ADHD. It also affects those around them. Parents of kids living with ADHD, can benefit from learning what ADHD is and how to support kids. Learn from Dr. Duncan, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, as he dispels some myths and explains how and why the ADHD brain works the way it does. For dates and to register click here.
• Multi-language Mental Health Resources for Families https://keltymentalhealth.ca/multilanguage

ERASE (Expect Respect & A Safe Education)

• This New Poster highlights the free resources and training sessions to support you and your child. The Report It Tool can also be found at the top of each school website.

Take Me Outside Student Video Contest: 2025

• Calling all K-12 students! Submit a short film about your favorite outdoor spot for a chance to win a 3-day trip to Banff National Park and $400 in MEC gear. The contest closes October 1, 2025. See the Official Rules & Guidelines for more information. Contest Closes: October 1, 2025

Thinking about sending your child to school on a bike?

• Have a look at Active for Life’s How to create your own back-to-school bike rodeo. Bike rodeos are a great way to ensure that children have the skills and confidence to ride to school. The site also includes a great infographic for parents to help assess their child’s skill level to see if they are ready to roll!

Parent & Caregiver Virtual Sessions

• Back-to-School Support for Rural Families and School Staff – Check out the ready-to-use resources in our Student Mental Health Toolkit and register for full access at no cost.
• Family Smart Free Online Events – Register here for all sessions
  • Emotion Regulation:Big feelings can be tough for kids and parents. Join us to learn practical ways to support emotional regulation with Registered Clinical Counsellor, Nicole Allen.  (September 23 & 24)
  • ADHD – The Real Deal ADHD doesn’t just affect the person living with ADHD. It also affects those around them. As parents of kids living… (Oct 7, 21, 28)
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: It’s more than overwashing your hands – Living with OCD can present unique challenges that affect both our kids and us as families. For those living with… (Oct 15 & 23)

Parent & Caregiver In-person Sessions

• The Circle of Security Parenting program – A free 8-week Parenting Program for Caregivers of children 0-8 yrs old offered by Community Connections and CYMH. Oct 23-Dec 11 Click here to see the poster for more information

Language Matters – Guide for Families

• This guide supports mental health and substance use literacy and helps build capacity across the K–12 system to facilitate conversations, foster shared understanding of mental health and substance use concepts and terminology.
• French guide
• English guide