Ceres CA School District Town Halls Fight Bullying and Drugs

Modesto

Ceres Unified School District has begun a series of four town hall meetings throughout the school year to address topics that significantly impact youth.

The first meeting took place at the beginning of the month. About 150 people took part in it, according to the message of the district center. The remaining meetings will focus on social media and cyberbullying, parenting young children and drug awareness.

At the first meeting, staff from Stanislaus County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services teamed up with Ceres Unified mental health staff to present information on social-emotional learning and destigmatization of mental illness, which are fundamental to suicide prevention.

“Suicide is a major public health problem and is one of the leading causes of death among young people in the United States,” said district psychologist Christina Alviso, citing statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and American Academy of Pediatrics. “However, suicide can be prevented when families and communities come together with strategies and resources that promote resilience and support those in crisis.”

In response to the meeting, event coordinator Lillian Loera of the county’s Family Resource Center said in a press release, “Several parents said they needed to be there because of issues with their own children. After the meeting, many lingered to ask questions.”

Meeting topics were chosen based on input from families and district community liaisons — staff whose primary function is to support student success through productive partnerships with families, Loera said.

All town hall meetings will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Argus/Endeavor Multipurpose Room, 2555 Lawrence St., in Ceres. Complimentary childcare, dinner and Spanish translation available.

The rest of the schedule:

• Social Media and Cyberbullying, December 6
• Foster care of youth, February 1
• Drug business, April 25.

In addition to BHRS County, partner organizations include: Haven Women’s Center, Central Valley Chapter Pajama Program, Golden Valley Health Centers, Ceres Partnership, Stanislaus County Youth Navigation Center, Elite Family Systems, Ceres Police Department and We “R” La Raza Parent Lawyer.

Community members with questions about meetings can contact Loera at lloera@ceres.k12.ca.us or 209-556-1559, ext. 1272.