Latest news with #studentwellbeing
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Gov. Josh Green signs multiple education-focused bills
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Gov. Josh Green signed five bills aiming to strengthen educational opportunities and student success across the island on May 30. 'This group of bills represents our state's active commitment to finding real solutions and protecting the fundamental right every keiki has to quality education,' Green said. 'Thanks to the critical work of educators and students alike, as well as countless community advocates, our state is poised to reduce childhood food insecurity and increase access to academic and extracurricular educational opportunities.' Kona man charged with connection to parking scam The new laws are as follows: SB 1300: Expanding Access to Free School Meals This bill increases access to free school meals for qualifying students, with the bill taking effect in the 2025-2026 academic year, with further expansions to free meals the following year. In addition to expanded meal access, the new law also prohibits schools from denying a meal to a student who is unable to pay. 'Senate Bill 1300 removes the financial barrier to accessing school meals, supporting students' health and well-being, as wel as their academic and developmental success,' First Lady Jaime Kanani Green said. 'If students aren't hungry, they can better focus on their studies, extracurricular activities and personal growth.' The bill was brought forward by Senate Vice President Michelle Kidani, who served as the lead 862: Addressing School Bus Shortages Multiple school bus routes were suspended this past academic year due to a nationwide bus driver shortage. This bill reverses the suspensions and allows for alternative vehicles, such as small buses, vans and more, to pick up students and bring them to school. 'Hawaiʻi continues to face a schoo bus crisis, and we've heard from countless parents, families and educators about the urgent need to expand transportation options, while keeping safety front and center,' said House Committee on Education Vice Chair Trish La Chica. 'This new law paves the way for our students to thrive, by expanding the department's options to secure reliable transportation and ensuring that transportation barriers don't stand in the way of our keiki and their opportunities to succeed.' Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news HB 133: Funding for Interscholastic Surfing Programs This bill appropriates over $685,800 for 2026 and 2027 to help establish interscholastic surfing programs, providing students with a competitive outlet they may otherwise not have. 'Hawaiʻi is the birthplace of surfing, and that's something we should take great pride in. By recognizing surfing as an interscholastic sport, we are expanding access in Hawaiʻi schools — allowing students to build ocean safety skills, connect with our cultural heritage and participate in a sport that has produced champions from our own shores,' Rep. Sean Quinlan, who introduced the bill, said. Two other bills were signed, including HB 110: Relating to Local Agricultural Products, which updates goas and timelines for locally-sourced meals can be provided by the Department of Education to students. The last bill signed was HB 1170: Relating to the University of Hawaiʻi Resident Tuition Fee, which requires UH to provide resident tuition fees to individuals who graduated from high schools in the islands, are enrolling in an undergraduate program and meet other conditions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Canine calming helps York students in exam season
Hearing dogs in training have visited a group of students doing their initiative was organised by Richard Cantrell, a volunteer dog trainer for the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, and his son, Prof Tom Cantrell, head of the University of York's Arts and Creative Technologies well as providing a warm welcome and calming presence for the students, the sessions also helped the dogs develop their skills around groups of Dogs for Deaf People said they have an urgent need for volunteer dog trainers. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Forbes
7 days ago
- Health
- Forbes
How Parents Can Support Incoming Students With Mental Health Concerns
S A college student with her parents getty Summer is an exciting time for many incoming college students and their families. Attending orientation sessions, university athletics, and deciding on a choice of major are common priorities for many students. Parents are typically focused on supporting their incoming students, and their impact can be significant. A 2024 report on highlighted three unique ways that parents can have on their college students. Some parents are particularly focused on providing support because their students have a history of significant mental health concerns. These parents are not alone and below are five ways that parents can support incoming college students with mental health concerns. Some might view college as a new start and hope that this new start will naturally reduce any concerns that occurred during high school. Although a new environment can be a positive factor, the transition into college is often stressful. A 2024 report on indicated that stress is frequently associated with change. For many students, starting college is the first time in which so much change occurs at the same time. Thus, incoming students might experience high stress during their first year, which could exacerbate mental health symptoms. Thus, parents can support their students by discussing how to be vigilant about monitoring personal stress and symptoms. Many mental health concerns emerge during adolescence and young adulthood. A 2023 report by the Harvard Graduate School of Education, elaborated on the mental health challenges faced by many young adults. An important aspect of treating college students with mental health concerns is knowing their family history of symptoms. This can clarify diagnoses and help generate a treatment plan. In addition, all emerging adults should know their family history. Even if symptoms skip a generation, it's important to know about risk factors that could affect future families. It's common for parents to escort their students to the campus counseling center during orientation to ensure that students know where this office is located. However, much more is needed to learn how counseling services at a particular campus really work. A 2024 report on explained how students and families can vet a college counseling center. It's also likely that other offices on campus can offer support, such as the Dean of Students, Student Success, Health Promotions, and even some campus health centers. Learning the full profile of support on campus is often vital for parents in supporting their students. It's important for parents to be realistic about plans to meet the mental health needs of their students. If parents plan for their students to attend counseling every week throughout their first year of college, it's important for parents to inquire if the campus counseling center has session limits. It might also be helpful to explore resources such as tuition insurance and the school's policies about medical withdrawals in case severe symptoms impede the student's ability to complete the academic year. Developing a realistic plan often involves collaborating with campus mental health professionals. Some parents might be hesitant to discuss their students' mental health concerns, especially if the family had negative experiences with high school personnel. However, college is a vastly different experience. Many incoming students live on campus, will have roommates (and these roommates will likely have parents), and are of legal age. Thus, being secretive about mental health concerns is not the best approach. Though many students know the location of their campus counseling center, it's not automatic that they will seek counseling if they experience serious mental health concerns. According to a 2023 report by the Atlantic Journal-Constitution, undergraduate men diagnosed with a mental health condition are the least likely group to seek counseling. It's important to note that even a reduced stigma about counseling does not guarantee help-seeking. Certain students might be supportive of peers seeking counseling while still being hesitant to do so themselves. Parents can be a vital source of encouragement for students to seek counseling. Perhaps better than any other source of encouragement, parents can make counseling appear less intimidating and more important. In general, parents will always be a top source of support for incoming college students. A history of mental health concerns should be acknowledged by the parents to help students be prepared. However, providing this support doesn't have to be daunting.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Students say school toilet rules create anxiety
Students say they have been left feeling embarrassed and anxious due to "baffling" school toilet restrictions. Holly, from Pentyrch, Cardiff, said she would frequently be denied permission to go to the toilet during class, or struggle to find one that was not "locked off", which contributed to her decision to be home-schooled. "I don't understand why, it's a normal, natural human thing," she said. It comes after a UK-wide survey found 65% of students were unable to access toilets at their school freely at any time. Cardiff council said it acknowledged the challenges faced by schools but was committed to working with them to find solutions for pupils to access toilets when needed. Holly, who is autistic and has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sensory processing disorder, previously attended Radyr Comprehensive School but began being home-schooled with an online tutor in January 2024. The 15-year-old said toilet rules were a "major contributor" in the decision. "Sometimes we would have to ask in front of the class and we would be denied, sometimes we would have to tell them why we needed to go to the toilet," she said. "It was hugely embarrassing, you would toy with yourself [as to] whether you had the confidence to put up your hand and ask. It's a big feeling of potential judgement." Holly said she and her friends had "bled through our underwear", adding: "One of my friends bled through onto a chair and had to do a walk of shame. It was one of her first periods and people made fun of her for weeks." She said some toilets were "locked off" during class time, to stop pupils going to certain parts of the school. 'Unfair' to call parents into school to change nappies No working toilets and zombie knives in 'vile' housing for kids Are rules on going to school toilets too strict? Holly added there was "massive inequality" for menstruating students, who sometimes had to detour to the school office to get period products. "Even the women in the school act like they don't understand what it's like. "I don't understand why period products can't be in the toilets." She said she accepted that misbehaviour in the toilets - such as vandalism, vaping and truancy - was a concern for staff, but she wanted them to "address those issues" instead of "punishing good students". Holly eventually secured a toilet pass, which meant teachers had to allow her out, but said she still faced challenges. "I am autistic, so the toilets were a space where I could regulate," she explained, adding if she took too long someone would "bang on the door" or think she was "skiving off". She said this could lead to being overwhelmed. "One thing gets bigger and bigger until I feel like I am going to explode, and then I can't go back to class and I miss valuable learning time." She said she was now "much happier" as she could "do what I need to, when I need to". Holly's mum, Jo Wallace, said she was "baffled" by the toilet rules, adding teenagers were "expected to be very mature and make big life decisions" but also "not trusted" to use the toilets. "I can't understand how schools have got to this point," she said. "I think it's laziness, because I think there are ways they could address issues without blocking [toilets] off. "They need to realise it's having a very detrimental effect." She added: "It's a difficult time getting your period in school, and they have so much pressure on them already. "I went to Radyr myself and it wasn't like that, we had access to the toilets at all points, it wasn't an issue." Ms Wallace said she understood teachers had to follow policies, but questioned the "benefit" of the rules on "children who are just trying to get through the day". A UK-wide survey by Caerphilly-based company phs Group, in partnership with menstrual justice charity Irise International, found 65% of students were unable to access toilets at their school freely at any time. Of these, 29% needed permission from a teacher to leave the classroom and 15% required a pass to be issued. Of the 501 teachers who took part, 5% reported school toilets being locked at some point during the school day, including break times, with 4% saying they were shut all the time. And16% said they had prevented a student who had periods from using the bathroom during class, with reasons including students wanting to skip lessons or meet friends. About 30% felt students on their periods should wait until the end of a lesson. Erin, a sixth form student at Bedwas High School in Caerphilly county, said following renovations to the school toilets, facilities were now designated to different year groups but were not equal in terms of access to sanitary products and bins. The 17-year-old said toilets were locked during lessons and permission was mostly denied apart from a "handful" of times, "if you say it's an emergency". "When I've needed to go to change my period products, I've been refused. Because I really needed to go, I decided to speak out in class about why [and] ended up walking out and been told off," she said. Like Holly, Erin said she understood "behavioural issues" were the reason for the restrictions, but added it was unfair on others. "Not everyone can raise their voice in class and say exactly why they need to go. And having to do this in front of teachers and boys in the class could be embarrassing. "One of my friends was too shy to speak up, and she leaked through her uniform." Cardiff council said more than £1m had been invested through its Period Dignity initiative which aims to improve school facilities "to ensure dignity for learners". "Secondary schools are provided with a variety of period products, and dispensers have been installed in school toilets to ensure easy access to period products without needing to ask staff," it said. "We acknowledge the challenges some schools face in keeping toilet facilities free from anti-social behaviour and ensuring safeguarding, which may lead to restricted use during the day. However, we are committed to working with schools to find solutions that ensure pupils can access toilets when needed." Caerphilly council said toilet regulations were made by schools, adding it recommended parents discuss any issues with their child's school directly by following the complaints policy. People avoid drinking over lack of public toilets BBC reporter spent six hours on floor of accessible toilet Pupils opt for gender-neutral loos at new school
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Students say school toilet rules create anxiety
Students say they have been left feeling embarrassed and anxious due to "baffling" school toilet restrictions. Holly, from Pentyrch, Cardiff, said she would frequently be denied permission to go to the toilet during class, or struggle to find one that was not "locked off", which contributed to her decision to be home-schooled. "I don't understand why, it's a normal, natural human thing," she said. It comes after a UK-wide survey found 65% of students were unable to access toilets at their school freely at any time. Cardiff council said it acknowledged the challenges faced by schools but was committed to working with them to find solutions for pupils to access toilets when needed. Holly, who is autistic and has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sensory processing disorder, previously attended Radyr Comprehensive School but began being home-schooled with an online tutor in January 2024. The 15-year-old said toilet rules were a "major contributor" in the decision. "Sometimes we would have to ask in front of the class and we would be denied, sometimes we would have to tell them why we needed to go to the toilet," she said. "It was hugely embarrassing, you would toy with yourself [as to] whether you had the confidence to put up your hand and ask. It's a big feeling of potential judgement." Holly said she and her friends had "bled through our underwear", adding: "One of my friends bled through onto a chair and had to do a walk of shame. It was one of her first periods and people made fun of her for weeks." She said some toilets were "locked off" during class time, to stop pupils going to certain parts of the school. 'Unfair' to call parents into school to change nappies No working toilets and zombie knives in 'vile' housing for kids Are rules on going to school toilets too strict? Holly added there was "massive inequality" for menstruating students, who sometimes had to detour to the school office to get period products. "Even the women in the school act like they don't understand what it's like. "I don't understand why period products can't be in the toilets." She said she accepted that misbehaviour in the toilets - such as vandalism, vaping and truancy - was a concern for staff, but she wanted them to "address those issues" instead of "punishing good students". Holly eventually secured a toilet pass, which meant teachers had to allow her out, but said she still faced challenges. "I am autistic, so the toilets were a space where I could regulate," she explained, adding if she took too long someone would "bang on the door" or think she was "skiving off". She said this could lead to being overwhelmed. "One thing gets bigger and bigger until I feel like I am going to explode, and then I can't go back to class and I miss valuable learning time." She said she was now "much happier" as she could "do what I need to, when I need to". Holly's mum, Jo Wallace, said she was "baffled" by the toilet rules, adding teenagers were "expected to be very mature and make big life decisions" but also "not trusted" to use the toilets. "I can't understand how schools have got to this point," she said. "I think it's laziness, because I think there are ways they could address issues without blocking [toilets] off. "They need to realise it's having a very detrimental effect." She added: "It's a difficult time getting your period in school, and they have so much pressure on them already. "I went to Radyr myself and it wasn't like that, we had access to the toilets at all points, it wasn't an issue." Ms Wallace said she understood teachers had to follow policies, but questioned the "benefit" of the rules on "children who are just trying to get through the day". A UK-wide survey by Caerphilly-based company phs Group, in partnership with menstrual justice charity Irise International, found 65% of students were unable to access toilets at their school freely at any time. Of these, 29% needed permission from a teacher to leave the classroom and 15% required a pass to be issued. Of the 501 teachers who took part, 5% reported school toilets being locked at some point during the school day, including break times, with 4% saying they were shut all the time. And16% said they had prevented a student who had periods from using the bathroom during class, with reasons including students wanting to skip lessons or meet friends. About 30% felt students on their periods should wait until the end of a lesson. Erin, a sixth form student at Bedwas High School in Caerphilly county, said following renovations to the school toilets, facilities were now designated to different year groups but were not equal in terms of access to sanitary products and bins. The 17-year-old said toilets were locked during lessons and permission was mostly denied apart from a "handful" of times, "if you say it's an emergency". "When I've needed to go to change my period products, I've been refused. Because I really needed to go, I decided to speak out in class about why [and] ended up walking out and been told off," she said. Like Holly, Erin said she understood "behavioural issues" were the reason for the restrictions, but added it was unfair on others. "Not everyone can raise their voice in class and say exactly why they need to go. And having to do this in front of teachers and boys in the class could be embarrassing. "One of my friends was too shy to speak up, and she leaked through her uniform." Cardiff council said more than £1m had been invested through its Period Dignity initiative which aims to improve school facilities "to ensure dignity for learners". "Secondary schools are provided with a variety of period products, and dispensers have been installed in school toilets to ensure easy access to period products without needing to ask staff," it said. "We acknowledge the challenges some schools face in keeping toilet facilities free from anti-social behaviour and ensuring safeguarding, which may lead to restricted use during the day. However, we are committed to working with schools to find solutions that ensure pupils can access toilets when needed." Caerphilly council said toilet regulations were made by schools, adding it recommended parents discuss any issues with their child's school directly by following the complaints policy. People avoid drinking over lack of public toilets BBC reporter spent six hours on floor of accessible toilet Pupils opt for gender-neutral loos at new school
