YWA Blog

Organized by Stanford University undergraduate and graduate students, Qualia Global Scholars is a selective pre-collegiate virtual summer mentorship program matching talented students in grades 6-12 with Stanford mentors. The program features personalized mentorship, interdisciplinary research, project-based learning, and guidance on college applications. The program aims to empower students to become future global leaders by teaching them about leadership & problem solving, emerging areas in STEM & liberal arts, critical thinking & communication skills, and real-world impact through research & innovation. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Need-based financial aid is available for the program.

Unrecognized language disorders, especially developmental language disorders (DLD), are a barrier that significantly hinders successful learning experiences. Students may be mislabeled behaviorally with terminology such as “disengaged," "socially inappropriate," or "shy” when, in fact, they may be struggling to manage the language demands of their environment.

Our kids are constantly changing. Advice for parents is, too. So, we’re phoning friends and calling in an expert. Join ParentMap for an intimate hour of conversation with Dr. Laura Kastner, an internationally recognized clinical psychologist, author, researcher and veteran parent. We’ve selected a diverse group of parents to ask some of our most burning parenting questions, and then we'll open up Q&A to our live audience.

Ask us anything. No, really. Bullying, behavioral problems, neurodiversity, LGBTQIA issues, racism, school policies, social exclusion and cell phone/media usage — any topic is fair game.

Harry Potter: Magic at Play, a uniquely interactive, family-friendly experience, where hands-on magical moments bring out the young wizard in all of us while celebrating Harry Potter's journey through the wizarding world.

ACES, a local autism therapy clinic in Bellevue, is hosting a free event and we want to personally invite families from your school. On March 14th, we are providing a free autism screening and consultation. 

At the recent NCCE (Northwest Council of Computer Engineering), Valerie Schlagel, one of our esteemed teachers and librarian made a connection with Girls Who Code, a dedicated organization in closing the gap in gender imbalance in technology. They shared with us resources we are happy to support our community including summer programming.

Eastside CHADD is the local satellite of the national CHADD organization. We all strive for self-regulation. We teach our children independence as early as they can manage. We hold our emotions in check on a bad day at work, and we encourage our teens to make good choices. Yet, as social beings, our brains and nervous systems are wired for connection and co-regulation – even as adults.

Join this dynamic duo of psychologists for an up-close virtual presentation and Q&A as they discuss their top strategies to empower your parenting.

Parenting Today's Teen: Building Social Emotional Skills at Home will focus on what we can do to help our children develop skills for navigating life and experiencing intense emotions. Learn practical social emotional strategies and skills to help ourselves and our children.

UW Professor and School Psychologist Dr. Jim Mazza and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Lizz Dexter-Mazza are a powerhouse in the world of parenting and social emotional learning. Their work focuses on empowering young people, schools, and families to build skills proactively, before there is a crisis.

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YWA is dedicated to fostering a supportive and informed community, and sharing parent resources through our blog is a way to empower parents with valuable insights and tools for navigating the challenges of youth well-being. By providing accessible and relevant information, we aim to strengthen family bonds, promote open communication, and contribute to the overall well-being of both parents and their children.

NAMI Basics is a free course designed for those supporting children and youth who are experiencing mental health symptoms. This course provides both mental health fundamentals and a safe space to connect with other people who share your lived experiences.

https://nami.org/Support-Education/Mental-Health-Education/NAMI-Basics 

In the journey towards mental health awareness and support, education plays a pivotal role. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is at the forefront of this mission, offering valuable resources and programs. One such initiative is "NAMI Basics," a program designed to empower families and individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the challenges of mental health.

As a teacher of English Language Arts at Yellow Wood Academy, I started the school year with a “community question” area near my desk. The tabletop poses questions and invites student and staff responses. The first question, back in September, had to do with storytelling. 

Nurturing the Healing Power of Play for Ourselves and for Our Children

Tuesday, Jan. 23

1 p.m. PT

It’s more than just child’s play. Play offers kids and adults alike a chance to make meaning and connect with their identities, communities and ancestors. It’s a powerful tool for learning, cultivating joy and healing.

Join ParentMap and University of Washington iLabs researchers Mike Browne and Amelia Bachleda, Ph.D. on Jan. 23, 2024 to learn how to (re)center joy in your life through the power of play.

Brave Listening: The Secret to Safeguarding Your Child’s Mental Health

Wednesday, Jan. 10

1 p.m. PT

Free webinar

Our children are suffering. One in five children and teens suffer from a mental health disorder. Nearly 50% have struggled with mental health issues at some point during adolescence and those numbers are on the rise. And yet, there’s no handbook on how to handle kids in crisis. 

This is a lovely email from our partners at Ohana Behavioral Health in Renton:

“My name is Kathryn Hansen and I am the clinical supervisor at Ohana Behavioral Health in Renton. I learned about your school at the ADHD summit back in November and I wanted to reach out to let you know that we have several clinicians who specialize in working with youth who are neurofree/neurodivergent. Specifically, I wanted to mention that our intern, Wendy Hansen, is offering pro bono services. If you have clients who might benefit from services in a private practice setting and who need lower cost options, please feel free to reach out to me to learn more about our practice!”

Intelligent reached out to YWA to share their college planning guide for students with learning disabilities. This guide is a beacon of support for those navigating the intricate terrain of higher education. By addressing individual needs, offering tailored strategies, embracing technology, and highlighting available resources, this guide empowers students to not only survive but thrive during their college experience. As we champion inclusivity in education, resources like these play a crucial role in ensuring that every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Yellow Wood Academy will always try and find resources that best support our community. Many believe that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can make a major impact on education and tackle some of the biggest challenges students and teachers face today. AI has already begun shaping daily life, but how will it impact students who learn and digest classroom concepts differently and outside of traditional teaching methods and tools?

Enrollment is open for Child Mind Institute clinical group programs and treatment intensives this winter. During each session, participants are taught essential skills informed by current research. We offer solutions for each family’s unique needs, because every child deserves to thrive.

Technology looks a lot different these days. Having trouble keeping up? Us, too. How do we teach our kids the promise and the peril of these tools? Learn how to help children navigate ChatGPT and other AI platforms safely and ethically, set reasonable rules and guidelines for social media and other technology and so much more.  

Seattle Swedish Community Scholarships is a local nonprofit that provides 5 monetary awards for high school seniors in King County. Our organization was founded at the Swedish Club of Seattle in 1969, and over years, we have helped hundreds of students get a start in higher education.

SSCS supplied YWA with a copy of their application for distribution among eligible students and families. Attached, you'll find the introduction letter as well as the two application pages. Please submit the applications directly to SSCS by March 31, 2024.

Letter from a great resource in the Community:

"I am reaching out to you because the UW School Psychology Clinic has mental health services available free of charge and we welcome your referrals. We provide the following: