There will be a free COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic held at the South Ark Outdoor Expo tomorrow, Saturday, September 11th from 9am-4pm at the El Dorado Conference Center. No appointment is necessary. The vaccine is available to ages 12 and up.
#SuicidePreventionMonth
The next step in #BeThe1To is: HELP THEM CONNECT.
Helping someone with thoughts of suicide connect with ongoing supports (like the Lifeline, 800-273-8255) can help them establish a safety net for those moments they find themselves in a crisis. Additional components of a safety net might be connecting them with supports and resources in their communities. Explore some of these possible supports with them – are they currently seeing a mental health professional? Have they in the past? Is this an option for them currently? Are there other mental health resources in the community that can effectively help?
One way to start helping them find ways to connect is to work with them to develop a safety plan. This can include ways for them identify if they start to experience significant, severe thoughts of suicide along with what to do in those crisis moments. A safety plan can also include a list of individuals to contact when a crisis occurs.
For more information on the 5 steps, visit Bethe1to.com.
#SuicidePreventionMonth
Step three: KEEP THEM SAFE.
First of all, it’s good for everyone to be on the same page. After the “Ask” step, and you’ve determined suicide is indeed being talked about, it’s important to find out a few things to establish immediate safety. Have they already done anything to try to kill themselves before talking with you? Does the person experiencing thoughts of suicide know how they would kill themselves? Do they have a specific, detailed plan? What’s the timing for their plan? What sort of access do they have to their planned method?
Knowing the answers to each of these questions can tell us a lot about the imminence and severity of danger the person is in. For instance, the more steps and pieces of a plan that are in place, the higher their severity of risk and their capability to enact their plan might be.
A number of studies have indicated that when lethal means are made less available or less deadly, suicide rates by that method decline, and frequently suicide rates overall decline. Research also shows that “method substitution” or choosing an alternate method when the original method is restricted, frequently does not happen. The myth “If someone really wants to kill themselves, they’ll find a way to do it” often does not hold true if appropriate safety measures are put into place.
The Keep Them Safe step is really about showing support for someone during the times when they have thoughts of suicide by putting time and distance between the person and their chosen method, especially methods that have shown higher lethality (like firearms and medications).
To learn more about the Keeping Them Safe step or the #BeThe1To movement, visit bethe1to.com.
#SuicidePreventionMonth
The second step is to BE THERE.
This could mean being physically present for someone, speaking with them on the phone when you can, or any other way that shows support for the person at risk. An important aspect of this step is to make sure you follow through with the ways in which you say you’ll be able to support the person – do not commit to anything you are not willing or able to accomplish. If you are unable to be physically present with someone with thoughts of suicide, talk with them to develop some ideas for others who might be able to help as well (again, only others who are willing, able, and appropriate to be there).
Being there for someone with thoughts of suicide is life-saving. Increasing someone’s connectedness to others and limiting their isolation (both in the short and long-term) has shown to be a protective factor against suicide.
In the Three-Step Theory (or more commonly known as the Ideation-to-Action Framework), David Klonsky and Alexis May also theorize that “connectedness” is a key protective factor, not only against suicide as a whole, but in terms of the escalation of thoughts of suicide to action. Their research has also shown connectedness acts as a buffer against hopelessness and psychological pain.
By “being there,” we have a chance to alleviate or eliminate some of these significant factors.
For more information about #BeThe1To, visit bethe1to.com.
In honor of #SuicidePreventionMonth, we will be releasing a series of graphics that will list the 5 steps you can take to help someone in suicidal crisis.
The first step is to ASK.
If you think someone might be considering suicide, take the first step and #BeThe1To ask. Ask directly, “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”
Asking in this direct, unbiased manner, can open the door for effective dialogue about their emotional pain and can allow everyone involved to see what next steps need to be taken. Do not ever promise to keep their thoughts of suicide a secret.
The flip side of the “Ask” step is to “Listen.” Make sure you take their answers seriously and not to ignore them, especially if they indicate they are experiencing thoughts of suicide. Help them focus on their reasons for living and avoid trying to impose your reasons for them to stay alive.
Studies show that asking at-risk individuals if they are suicidal does not increase suicides or suicidal thoughts. In fact, studies suggest the opposite: findings suggest acknowledging and talking about suicide may in fact reduce rather than increase suicidal ideation.
Learn more about #BeThe1To by visiting bethe1to.com.
From the El Dorado School District, THANK YOU!
Want to know what's for breakfast and lunch? Cafeteria Menus are available on the El Dorado School District app under the Dining section of each school or on our website at https://www.eldoradopublicschools.org/page/food-services. *Due to national supply shortages, online menus allow for parents, students, and staff to be aware of necessary changes to the monthly menu.
No school Monday, September 6 in observance of Labor Day.
Questions about who has to quarantine and who doesn't? Check out this visual that helps explain two different situations.
The Home Access Center (HAC) website is currently having technical issues. If you are having trouble accessing your student's HAC account, please be patient. The site should be up and running again within the next 24 hours.
All students must be up-to-date with their immunizations in order to start school. If your child is exempt from immunizations, a completed Immunization Exempt Form is required every year from the Arkansas Medical Director. The school nurse must have an up to date immunization record or exempt form for every student. Please take the time to read this and follow the proper steps to make sure your child is able to attend school this fall.
WOA Families - Remember you can reserve meals to pick up each week for your students. Meals must be reserved by Monday of each week by filling out the form at http://bit.ly/ESDWOAMeals. Complete the form for each student in your home to receive 5 breakfasts and lunches per week.
There will be a special called meeting of the El Dorado School Board on Monday, August 30th at 5:30pm in the El Dorado High School Auditorium (2000 Wildcat Drive). The doors will open at 5:00pm.
This meeting is an opportunity for community members to speak for or against the mask requirement in El Dorado Public Schools. Community members may sign up to speak from the time the doors open until 5:45pm. They will speak in the order in which they sign up. However, signing up does not guarantee one the opportunity to speak. Procedures for the meeting will be explained when the meeting is called to order.
Information from City Hall:
Beginning Tuesday, August 31st, the Street Department will begin working on Jefferson Avenue between 5th Street and Peach Street. They will begin milling the street on Tuesday and will continue with overlaying the street after the milling has been completed. They hope (weather permitting) that the work will be completed on Friday, September 3rd. Please try to plan your week day commute accordingly. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Join us on Thursday, September 9th for a Volunteer Workshop* to learn what it takes to be a successful volunteer. The workshop will take place in the Central Office Board Room from 1:00-2:30pm.
The El Dorado School District looks forward to the day when regular volunteer opportunities resume—we miss having community volunteers in our classrooms!
*Anyone interested in future volunteer opportunities is required to attend.
Murphy USA is hosting a Junior Golf Clinic as a part of the El Dorado Shootout, an official event on the Symetra Tour. The clinic will be held Monday, September 20th from 4:00-5:30pm at the Mystic Creek Golf Club. The clinic is free and open to ages 6-18. To sign up, visit eldoradoshootout.com/schedule/juniorclinic.
Thank you for coming out and supporting the Wildcats at the Purple/White scrimmage last night!
For a complete schedule of all fall athletic events, visit https://www.eldoradopublicschools.org/page/athletics. Go Cats!
The annual Purple/White game is tonight at Memorial Stadium. Gates open at 5pm, and the Fun Run begins at 6pm. Admission is $5 for students and adults. Elementary students are free with a wristband and paid adult. AAA passes are accepted.
The Class of 2034 spent a few minutes on their first day of school learning about the El Dorado Promise and the possibilities that lie before them. Kindergarteners learned about the promise, savings, and even the promise chant! Thank you to the El Dorado Education Foundation and Simmons Bank for supporting the Promise and encouraging students to prepare for their futures.
And a special thank you to Murphy Oil for providing this opportunity for El Dorado School District students!
Service has been restored, and phone lines are open. Thank you for your patience and understanding.