Archived Media
Saturday School: Student and Parent Engagement Program
2016 Golden Bell Recipient: Saturday School
Congratulations to the Alhambra Unified School District and Gateway To Success for receiving the 2016 Golden Bell Award for Saturday School: Student and Parent Engagement Program!
This is the fourth time that Alhambra Unified School District was awarded the Golden Bell Award. Alhambra Unified School District was the recipient for the 2014 Golden Bell Award for the Intern Training Academy, the 2013 Golden Bell Award for Parent University, and the 2012 Golden Bell Award for the Gateway To Success program.
"The Alhambra Unified School District’s Division of Student/Employee Welfare developed and implemented a multi-lingual, bi-weekly, three hour comprehensive Saturday School: Student and Parent Engagement Program (SSSPEP). The program creatively re-engages and supports students and parents in middle school and high school who have missed instructional time due to excessive absenteeism, interfering negative behaviors, and/or are in need of social-emotional support to succeed in school. The program’s facilitators address school re-engagement and school/home connectedness while adhering to the Pyramid of Success, a tiered intervention approach. More than 600 students and parents have been referred and participated in SSSPEP, demonstrating a 73 percent increase in parent/student re-engagement in school, as indicated in Alhambra USD’s Local Climate Survey, and LCAP’s measurable outcomes."
CLICK HERE for the complete list of 2016 Golden Bell Winners.
CLICK HERE for the complete list of 2014 Golden Bell Winners.
CLICK HERE for the complete list of 2013 Golden Bell Winners.
CLICK HERE for the complete list of 2012 Golden Bell Winners.
This is the fourth time that Alhambra Unified School District was awarded the Golden Bell Award. Alhambra Unified School District was the recipient for the 2014 Golden Bell Award for the Intern Training Academy, the 2013 Golden Bell Award for Parent University, and the 2012 Golden Bell Award for the Gateway To Success program.
"The Alhambra Unified School District’s Division of Student/Employee Welfare developed and implemented a multi-lingual, bi-weekly, three hour comprehensive Saturday School: Student and Parent Engagement Program (SSSPEP). The program creatively re-engages and supports students and parents in middle school and high school who have missed instructional time due to excessive absenteeism, interfering negative behaviors, and/or are in need of social-emotional support to succeed in school. The program’s facilitators address school re-engagement and school/home connectedness while adhering to the Pyramid of Success, a tiered intervention approach. More than 600 students and parents have been referred and participated in SSSPEP, demonstrating a 73 percent increase in parent/student re-engagement in school, as indicated in Alhambra USD’s Local Climate Survey, and LCAP’s measurable outcomes."
CLICK HERE for the complete list of 2016 Golden Bell Winners.
CLICK HERE for the complete list of 2014 Golden Bell Winners.
CLICK HERE for the complete list of 2013 Golden Bell Winners.
CLICK HERE for the complete list of 2012 Golden Bell Winners.
2016 Golden Bell Recipient: Saturday School
2013 Golden Bell Recipient: Parent University
Gateway To Success is featured on Find Youth Info
FindYouthInfo.gov is the U.S. government Web site that helps you create, maintain, and strengthen effective youth programs. Included are youth facts, funding information, and tools to help you assess community assets, generate maps of local and federal resources, search for evidence-based youth programs, and keep up-to-date on the latest, youth-related news.
CLICK HERE to view Gateway To Success's feature.
CLICK HERE to view other Collaboration Profiles.
CLICK HERE to view Gateway To Success's feature.
CLICK HERE to view other Collaboration Profiles.
Building the Gateway to Success:
An Appraisal of Progress in Reaching Underserved Families and Reducing Racial Disparities in
School-Based Mental Health
Published: November 2014
Publication: Psychological Services
By: Laurel Bear, Rosalie Finer, Sisi Guo, & Anna S. Lau
"School-based mental health (SBMH) services hold the promise of reducing barriers to care among underserved children and families in need, which can in turn reduce racial disparities in care. Yet, questions remain about the potential of SBMH for equitably reaching diverse communities. In particular, reaching Asian American youth in SBMH may remain a challenge even compared with other immigrant and ethnic minority groups, such as Latinos."
CLICK HERE to view the full article.
Publication: Psychological Services
By: Laurel Bear, Rosalie Finer, Sisi Guo, & Anna S. Lau
"School-based mental health (SBMH) services hold the promise of reducing barriers to care among underserved children and families in need, which can in turn reduce racial disparities in care. Yet, questions remain about the potential of SBMH for equitably reaching diverse communities. In particular, reaching Asian American youth in SBMH may remain a challenge even compared with other immigrant and ethnic minority groups, such as Latinos."
CLICK HERE to view the full article.
Walk in Our Shoes: Ynez School
On October 15, 2014, Gateway To Success and Ynez Elementary School teamed up to provide Walk in Our Shoes assemblies to all students grades 4-8. These assemblies focused on the lives of four students and introduced their various experiences with both mental health challenges and stigma. The goal of the assemblies was to fill in gaps in knowledge that can lead to stigmatizing beliefs and to illustrate the harmful effects of stigma and provides children with the knowledge and tools to battle misconceptions about mental illness.
Specifically, the performances covered the following topics:
CLICK HERE for more information about Walk In Our Shoes.
Specifically, the performances covered the following topics:
- Mental health challenges are common
- There are different kinds of mental health challenges
- People with mental health challenges can manage/recover to live normal and successful lives
- The vast majority of people with mental health challenges are non-violent 5. Young people are encouraged to speak up and ask questions about mental health
CLICK HERE for more information about Walk In Our Shoes.
Differences in School-Based Referrals for Mental Health Care:
Understanding Racial/Ethnic Disparities Between Asian American and Latino Youth
Published: August 29, 2013
Publication: School Mental Health
By: Sisi Guo, Sheryl H. Kataoka, Laurel Bear & Anna S. Lau
"School-based mental health services (SBMHS) are thought to reduce access barriers and disparities in care. This study explores whether there is parity or disparity in SBMHS referral and receipt between two ethnic minority groups and identifies explanations for observed differences. Asian American and Latino students from one urban school district completed a mental health survey at the beginning of the 2010–2011 academic year assessing behavior prob- lems and impairment. Information regarding SBMHS referral and receipt were obtained at end of the school year. Latino youth were more than 4 times more likely to be referred to SBMHS than Asian Americans. Differences in referral likelihood were partially mediated by externalizing problems, school bonding, impairment, and academic performance."
CLICK HERE to view the full article.
Publication: School Mental Health
By: Sisi Guo, Sheryl H. Kataoka, Laurel Bear & Anna S. Lau
"School-based mental health services (SBMHS) are thought to reduce access barriers and disparities in care. This study explores whether there is parity or disparity in SBMHS referral and receipt between two ethnic minority groups and identifies explanations for observed differences. Asian American and Latino students from one urban school district completed a mental health survey at the beginning of the 2010–2011 academic year assessing behavior prob- lems and impairment. Information regarding SBMHS referral and receipt were obtained at end of the school year. Latino youth were more than 4 times more likely to be referred to SBMHS than Asian Americans. Differences in referral likelihood were partially mediated by externalizing problems, school bonding, impairment, and academic performance."
CLICK HERE to view the full article.
"All Students Are Served":
Alhambra Student Services Director Talks Mental Health and School Safety
March 11, 2014
By: Arthur Wang
"I think our biggest improvement has been helping families, regardless of culture or background, talk about good mental health and help folks de-stigmatize it. Teachers, parents, and students are all making referrals—of those hospitalizations mentioned earlier, probably half of them come from concerned peers.
Kids are talking to adults, and we know that if adults at school are not caring, reliable, and safe, kids won’t talk to them. What parents must recognize is that the most influential relationships are the adult ones."
CLICK HERE to view the full article.
By: Arthur Wang
"I think our biggest improvement has been helping families, regardless of culture or background, talk about good mental health and help folks de-stigmatize it. Teachers, parents, and students are all making referrals—of those hospitalizations mentioned earlier, probably half of them come from concerned peers.
Kids are talking to adults, and we know that if adults at school are not caring, reliable, and safe, kids won’t talk to them. What parents must recognize is that the most influential relationships are the adult ones."
CLICK HERE to view the full article.
School Safety Planning
Why Fortification Is Not the Answer
August 8, 2013
By: Laura Towvim
When tragedy strikes at a school—such as the unthinkable event at Sandy Hook Elementary—the nation mourns. Soon after, politicians, special interest groups, and parents demand decisive action to prevent such a tragedy from ever occurring again. Schools may propose quick-fix security measures—locked doors, armed teachers or guards, security cameras, metal detectors.
However, experts warn against these types of physical security measures as the primary focus of school safety planning. Following the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, 183 organizations and more than 200 experts in school safety, both researchers and practitioners, came together to create a position statement on how best to address school violence. The statement includes this warning: “Inclinations to intensify security in schools should be reconsidered. We cannot and should not turn our schools into fortresses.”
CLICK HERE to view the full article.
By: Laura Towvim
When tragedy strikes at a school—such as the unthinkable event at Sandy Hook Elementary—the nation mourns. Soon after, politicians, special interest groups, and parents demand decisive action to prevent such a tragedy from ever occurring again. Schools may propose quick-fix security measures—locked doors, armed teachers or guards, security cameras, metal detectors.
However, experts warn against these types of physical security measures as the primary focus of school safety planning. Following the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, 183 organizations and more than 200 experts in school safety, both researchers and practitioners, came together to create a position statement on how best to address school violence. The statement includes this warning: “Inclinations to intensify security in schools should be reconsidered. We cannot and should not turn our schools into fortresses.”
CLICK HERE to view the full article.
1 in 5 Children Suffer from Mental Illness
Should Parents Worry, and What's Being Done?
June 4, 2013
By: Deepa Fernandes
Mental health issues in children are increasing. One in five kids now suffer from a mental disorder, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
These mental health disorders include commonly known illnesses like depression or ADHD. But there are also mental health issues that are rarely associated with elementary schoolers, like Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Cassidy George is 10 years old. From as early as she can remember, she has had a lot of fears. “I didn't like the dark,” said George. “I didn’t like to go around and talk to people.”
CLICK HERE to view the full article.
By: Deepa Fernandes
Mental health issues in children are increasing. One in five kids now suffer from a mental disorder, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
These mental health disorders include commonly known illnesses like depression or ADHD. But there are also mental health issues that are rarely associated with elementary schoolers, like Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Cassidy George is 10 years old. From as early as she can remember, she has had a lot of fears. “I didn't like the dark,” said George. “I didn’t like to go around and talk to people.”
CLICK HERE to view the full article.
Mental Health Program in Alhambra Unified Helps Students Reach for Success
January 31, 2013
By: Jane Fernandez
“I am thankful because you have not given up on me. I am thankful that you still have a sense of hope for me, because not many people do,” says a letter from a student written to Dr. Laurel Bear.
Bear has worked at Alhambra Unified School District for more than 32 years, starting as a teacher at San Gabriel High School and moving on to dean of students at Alhambra High School, principal of Century High School, and now director of Gateway To Success, a mental health and student safety program at AUSD.
Bear shared with Alhambra Source her personal connection to the city, how the program is working to prevent a tragedy like Sandy Hook, and the primary issues impacting local youth today.
CLICK HERE to view the full article.
By: Jane Fernandez
“I am thankful because you have not given up on me. I am thankful that you still have a sense of hope for me, because not many people do,” says a letter from a student written to Dr. Laurel Bear.
Bear has worked at Alhambra Unified School District for more than 32 years, starting as a teacher at San Gabriel High School and moving on to dean of students at Alhambra High School, principal of Century High School, and now director of Gateway To Success, a mental health and student safety program at AUSD.
Bear shared with Alhambra Source her personal connection to the city, how the program is working to prevent a tragedy like Sandy Hook, and the primary issues impacting local youth today.
CLICK HERE to view the full article.
Alhambra Unified Helps Students Get a Fresh Start in High School
August 20, 2012
By: Tami Abdollah
Yu Cheng Na sits quietly with his juice box and apricot-filled cookies inside an Alhambra High School classroom during a break. Around him, kids joke loudly, laughing with and at each other. He smiles and gazes about curiously, taking in the hyperactivity around him.
Two weeks earlier Yu Cheng, 14, reluctantly joined nearly 60 other students in the intensive high school transition program "Fresh Start." And though this was the last week of summer before school starts Tuesday, he'd decided: "It's OK. Quite fun."For three hours each day, the soon-to-be freshmen gather to talk about their feelings, learning things like how to organize and complete tasks and how to ask for help. The program is aimed at bringing in students who may have struggled academically or socially in middle school, and providing them with the support to find success as high schoolers.
To Annie Tsi, 13, starting Alhambra High next week as a freshman is a very big thought.
"I'm actually going to high school," Annie said, whispering and elongating her words in awe. "In another four years I'll be 18...I'm just nervous. Because now I'm not in middle school anymore."
CLICK HERE to view the full article.
By: Tami Abdollah
Yu Cheng Na sits quietly with his juice box and apricot-filled cookies inside an Alhambra High School classroom during a break. Around him, kids joke loudly, laughing with and at each other. He smiles and gazes about curiously, taking in the hyperactivity around him.
Two weeks earlier Yu Cheng, 14, reluctantly joined nearly 60 other students in the intensive high school transition program "Fresh Start." And though this was the last week of summer before school starts Tuesday, he'd decided: "It's OK. Quite fun."For three hours each day, the soon-to-be freshmen gather to talk about their feelings, learning things like how to organize and complete tasks and how to ask for help. The program is aimed at bringing in students who may have struggled academically or socially in middle school, and providing them with the support to find success as high schoolers.
To Annie Tsi, 13, starting Alhambra High next week as a freshman is a very big thought.
"I'm actually going to high school," Annie said, whispering and elongating her words in awe. "In another four years I'll be 18...I'm just nervous. Because now I'm not in middle school anymore."
CLICK HERE to view the full article.
