7

EDUCATION AND YOUTH 

Mountain View News Saturday, September 7, 2024

SCHOOL DIRECTORY

BALANCING SCHOOL, FALL SPORTS SEASON & YOUR CHILD’S 
MENTAL HEALTH

Tips to help parents support their student’s success

 

By Dr. Archana Dubey, Chief Medical Officer, UnitedHealthcare of California

 

The fall season is upon us and as teens go back to school, many are also gearing up for the 
sports season. Participating in sports, whether casual play or organized athletics, can be 
highly beneficial. Regular physical activity can help defend against common health issues 
such as obesity and type 2 diabetes in children. Sports can also strengthen social relationships 
with friends and family.

 

That’s why, the federal government has set a goal of increasing participation in after-school 
or extracurricular sports to 63% of young people from ages 6 to 17 by 2030. The current 
participation rate here in California is less than 50%.

 

It’s important, however, to balance extra-curricular sports with teen mental health. For some 
young people, participation can become overwhelming and even lead to stress, anxiety, and 
other mental health challenges. Expectations that some young athletes can be very high. Kids 
are eager to win, and many give it their all. Others are not as athletically inclined and may 
feel stress over the possibility of underperforming. Whatever the case, it’s easy to get caught 
up in the expectation of having to meet academic expectations, pushing harder during sports 
practices, and making time for social activities. The result: kids can feel like they must stretch 
themselves to accomplish what they feel is “expected” of them.

 

To help kids thrive this fall academically, athletically and socially, here are some strategies 
to consider:

 

• Develop a game plan: For parents, it’s important to create a “game plan” to help prepare 
for both the new school year and the challenges that come with competitive sports. Just as 
you would prep for an individual sporting event, it’s important to develop a comprehensive 
plan for the full academic and athletic year ahead.

• Create or re-establish a routine: What time does the family sit down for dinner? When 
is homework time? What is the limit for screen time? When is “lights out” at night? What 
time do alarm clocks ring? Having a consistent, daily routine can help children feel less 
overwhelmed and more confident, secure and stable entering their school and sports season.

• Schedule a Well-Child Visit: Think of a well-child visit as an opportunity to understand 
your child’s health needs better. Your child’s pediatrician or PCP can assess their physical 
& emotional health at the start of the school year and prior to sports season. It’s also a great 
time to complete their school’s physical forms and to get current on immunizations. Ask 
your child’s doctor about what’s driving their physical development, such as diet, exercise, 
and sleeping habits. Not sure what to ask? UnitedHealthcare offers a printable preventive 
care checklist.

• Listen often and discuss mental health: Starting the discussion around mental health 
can be scary for some teens, and parents, so providing an open and safe environment to discuss 
difficult topics can set the precedent for your child of asking for help when it’s needed. Be 
sure to validate your teen’s feelings and avoid asking too many questions to show that you’re 
truly listening. If your kids do talk about being scared or nervous, validate those feelings. 
Help them feel secure and let them know it’s possible to feel better. These can be sensitive 
topics for your child, so empathy, openness, and patience can go a long way in helping them 
feel heard and optimistic that things will get better. Focus on your child’s overall disposition 
— not just what they’re saying — and watch for warning signs of issues, such as persistent 
sadness, sudden mood changes, sleep problems or loss of interest in activities they usually 
enjoy, such as sports.

 

Back to school and fall sports season are a fantastic way for your children to stay active and 
healthy. Sports, indeed, can improve the physical and mental well-being of young people, but 
it’s also important to make sure your child has the resources they need to get help along the 
way. 

Alverno Heights Academy

200 N. Michillinda Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-3463 

Head of School: Joanne Harabedian

E-mail address: jharabedian@alvernoheights.org

Arcadia Christian School

1900 S. Santa Anita Avenue Arcadia, CA 91006

Preschool - TK - 8th Grade

626-574-8229/626-574-0805

Email:inquiry@acslions.com

Principal: Cindy Harmon

website: www.acslions.com

Arcadia High School

180 Campus Drive Arcadia, CA 91007

Phone: (626) 821-8370, Principal: Brent Forsee

bforsee@ausd.net

Arroyo Pacific Academy

41 W. Santa Clara St. Arcadia, Ca, 

(626) 294-0661 Principal: Phil Clarke

E-mail address: pclarke@arroyopacific.org

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary School

Ms. Rose Navarro, Principal

2660 East Orange Grove Blvd.

Pasadena, Ca 91107

626-793-2089

https://school.abvmpasadena.org/

Barnhart School

240 W. Colorado Blvd Arcadia, Ca. 91007

(626) 446-5588 

Head of School: Tonya Beilstein

Kindergarten - 8th grade

website: www.barnhartschool.org

Bethany Christian School

93 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-3527 

Preschool-TK-8th Grade

Principal: Jonathon Hawes

website: www. bcslions.org

Clairbourn School

8400 Huntington Drive

San Gabriel, CA 91775

Phone: 626-286-3108 ext. 172

FAX: 626-286-1528

E-mail: jhawes@clairbourn.org

Foothill Oaks Academy

822 E. Bradbourne Ave., Duarte, CA 91010

(626) 301-9809

Principal: Nancy Lopez

www.foothilloaksacademy.org

office@foothilloaksacademy.org

Frostig School

971 N. Altadena Drive Pasadena, CA 91107

(626) 791-1255

Head of School: Jenny Janetzke

Email: jenny@frostig.org

The Gooden School

192 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-2410 

Head of School, Jo-Anne Woolner

website: www.goodenschool.org

High Point Academy

1720 Kinneloa Canyon Road 

Pasadena, Ca. 91107 

Head of School: Gary Stern 626-798-8989

website: www.highpointacademy.org

La Salle College Preparatory

3880 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, Ca. 

(626) 351-8951 website: www.lasallehs.org

Interim Principal Ernest Siy

Monrovia High School

325 East Huntington Drive, Monrovia, CA 91016 

(626) 471-2800 Principal Darvin Jackson

Email: schools@monrovia.k12.ca.us

Odyssey Charter School

725 W. Altadena Dr. Altadena, Ca. 91001

(626) 229-0993 Head of School: Lauren O’Neill

website: www.odysseycharterschool.org

Pasadena High School

2925 E. Sierra Madre Blvd. Pasadena, Ca. 

(626) 396-5880 Principal: Mathew Kodama

website: http://phs.pusd.us

St. Rita Catholic School

322 N. Baldwin Ave. Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

Principal: Jon McMaster (626) 355-6114 

mcmaster@st-ritaschool.org

Website: www.st-ritaschool.org

Sierra Madre Elementary School

141 W. Highland Ave, Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 355-1428 

Principal: Dr. Jodi Marchesso

E-mail address: marchesso.jodi@pusd.us

Sierra Madre Middle School 

160 N. Canon Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024

(626) 836-2947 Principal: Garrett Newsom

E-mail address: newsom.garrett@pusd.us

Walden School

74 S San Gabriel Blvd

Pasadena, CA 91107 (626) 792-6166 

www.waldenschool.net

Weizmann Day School

1434 N. Altadena Dr. Pasadena, Ca. 91107

(626) 797-0204

Lisa Feldman: Head of School

Wilson Middle School

300 S. Madre St. Pasadena, Ca. 91107

(626) 449-7390 Principal: Ruth Esseln

E-mail address: resseln@pusd.us

Pasadena Unified School District

351 S. Hudson Ave., Pasadena, Ca. 91109

(626) 396-3600 Website: www.pusd@pusd.us

Arcadia Unified School District

234 Campus Dr., Arcadia, Ca. 91007

(626) 821-8300 Website: www.ausd.net

Monrovia Unified School District

325 E. Huntington Dr., Monrovia, Ca. 91016

(626) 471-2000 

Website: www.monroviaschools.net

Duarte Unified School District

1620 Huntington Dr., Duarte, Ca. 91010

(626)599-5000 

Website: www.duarte.k12.ca.us


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com