Insider News: PublicSchoolWORKS’ EmployeeSafe Suite Wins a District Administration Readers’ Choice Top 100 Product Award

The Employee Safe Suite was selected as a District Administration Readers’ Choice Top 100 Product, thanks to your nominations! The product will be featured in the December issue of the magazine, alongside the other selected products. 

Every year, District Administration asks its readers to nominate the products they believe made a positive difference in their school districts. Products can include hardware, software, books and materials, Web sites and facilities products.

To find out more about the award, visit the website.

 EmployeeSafe has been named a DA Top 100 Product for four consecutive years and was awarded a fifth DA Top 100 distinction in that period. In addition, PublicSchoolWORKS’ Parent InfoCenter won the Interactive Media Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Community Category and the Bronze Stevie Award for Front-Line Customer Service Team of the Year in 2012.

Spotlight: Preventing Seasonal Affective Disorder

A recent article by Dr. Michael Roizen and Dr. Mehmet Oz on Cleveland.com gives readers unique ways to prevent Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD.) The doctors suggest people who battle with SAD should move their exercise outside, begin a light therapy regiment (light boxes, dawn simulators, light visors) and take supplemental vitamin D-3. These tactics give the body more access to sunlight and vitamins which may reverse the effects of SAD. To read more about SAD and the treatments mentioned in the article, click here.

In addition to changing the physical environment for students, districts can offer emotional support to students. PublicSchoolWORKS’ (PSW) Positive Youth Development course trains educators to recognize both academic and non-academic barriers to education, such as depression, and how students can be successful by focusing on their assets. The course also teaches how to create a positive youth environment and how it can benefit academic performance. To learn more about how your staff can promote positive youth development, email sales@publicschoolworks.com...

When former Miramonte Elementary School teacher Martin Springer bailed out of jail -- accused of lewd conduct with a child -- he was ordered to wear a GPS monitoring unit around his ankle. NBC4's Toni Guinyard takes a look at the technology.

Do you have any tricks of your own for battling SAD or the winter blues? Share your thoughts with us on Twitter via @PSWORKS.  

Spotlight: Seasonal Affective Disorder

According to the Cleveland Clinic, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) has similar symptoms to depression. Symptoms may include sadness, anxiety, irritability, loss of interest in usual activities, withdrawal from social activities and inability to concentrate. Other symptoms are extreme fatigue and lack of energy, increased need for sleep, cravings for carbohydrates, and increased appetite and weight gain. To read more about SAD, click here.

PublicSchoolWORKS’ (PSW) Depression in Students course covers the causes, symptoms and effects that childhood depression can have on students. The course also instructs educators on appropriate ways to help a student showing signs of depression. To learn more about educating your staff on childhood depression, email sales@publicschoolworks.com.

Have you ever experienced a student with SAD? How did you recognize it and/or how did you address it? When former Miramonte Elementary School teacher Martin Springer bailed out of jail -- accused of lewd conduct with a child -- he was ordered to wear a GPS monitoring unit around his ankle. NBC4's Toni Guinyard takes a look at the technology.Share Share your dksksdksd Share your experience with us by commenting on our Facebook page.

Preparing for Seasonal Depression Awareness Month

Seasonal weather changes and shortened days leave people spending more time indoors which could possibly affect student and teacher moral. This December, Seasonal Depression Awareness Month, take the time to understand the symptoms and preventative measures you can take to steer clear of seasonal depression.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, six percent of the U.S. population, primarily in northern climates, is affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Another 14 percent of the adult population experiences a lesser form, characterized by seasonal mood changes and known as the winter blues.

One way districts can help battle student depression is to offer positive youth development activities. The National Research Council has identified several characteristics for programs that support and promote the positive development of youth, including: physical and psychological safety, appropriate structure, supportive relationships, opportunities to belong, positive social norms, support for efficacy and mattering, opportunities for skill-building, and integration of family, school and community efforts.

What is your district doing to help beat seasonal depression in staff and students? PublicSchoolWORKS offers several courses to help train teachers to understand and intervene when students are showing signs of depression, including Depression in Students and Positive Youth Development. To learn more, email sales@publicschoolworks.com.