EXPRESSEXPRESSEXPRESS The John L. Gildner

Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents

15000 Broschart Road Rockville, MD 20850 - 301-251-6838 http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/jlgrica/

THETHETHE Winter/Spring 2016

Breath and Movement : Steps Toward Emotional Healing at RICA

The goal of JLG-RICA is to provide the best possible comprehensive clinical treatment to our chil-dren, adolescents and their families. JLG-RICA students typically have a complex trauma history and have been referred to JLG-RICA as a result of emotional and behavioral difficulties. These struggles im-pact their capacity to effectively manage their emotions, develop and maintain positive relationships and achieve academically to the best of their ability. One of JLG-RICA’s newest and most effective treatments is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), an evidenced based treatment program. The overarching goal of DBT is to help our students have a life worth living. Toward this objective, there are five skill modules that build upon the preceding skills, including Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness and Walking the Middle Path. Yoga, a centuries old practice, is a Mindfulness technique.

Yoga, shown to be an effective practice for managing emotions, was recently introduced to JLG-RICA as a 7th grade gym rotation. Yoga and DBT have much in common, both sharing a Zen philosophy. Yoga, literally meaning “yoke” or “union’ is a breathing practice with pos-tures. The breath is what connects the body and the mind. Breathing practice calms the mind and the sympathetic nervous system (often re-ferred to as the “fight or flight response.”) Breathing practice activates the parasympathetic nervous system which induces relaxation. Focusing on the breath, or focusing on something mindfully, brings us into the pre-sent moment, generating more self-awareness, focus, calm and less emo-tional reactivity. continued on page 3

Fore The Children…………...2 Breath & Movement Cntd…..3 #MentalIllnessFeelsLike….....4 Spring Sudoku………..……...5 Calendar of Events……...…...5 STEM Fair…………..…….....7 Chesapeake Adventure……...7 Sudoku Answers……………..7 CEO Letter…………………..8

Inside This Issue...

22nd Annual

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The RICA Association and Kiwanis Club of Wheaton-Silver Spring

Monday, June 13, 2016

at a NEW venue

ARGYLE COUNTRY CLUB located in Silver Spring, MD.

The shotgun start will begin at noon followed by the awards dinner, silent auction, door prizes, and raffle. We are always looking for new players, sponsors, and silent

auction items. Please come out to help support the children.

For more information please contact: Marlayna Proctor (301) 251-6838 or Samantha Foley (301) 251-6844.

Thank you!

JLG-RICA Receives a Recycling Award for 2015

On May 25, 2016, County Executive Isiah Leggett and the Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Solid Waste Service will honor JLG-RICA’s outstanding recycling

for 2015. Ann Miller, the Recycling Coordinator, and Ken Basler, CEO will attend the luncheon to receive this award on

behalf of the facility.

Congratulations JLG-RICA!

GOLF TOURNAMENT

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Teen yoga is an opportunity for JLG-RICA students to breathe, stretch, strengthen and slow down. Through yoga practice students experience mastery and connect with themselves in the present moment. Students learn breathing, mindfulness and grounding techniques, as well as how and when to use these techniques when feeling emotionally overwhelmed at school and at home. Students participating in yoga may also experience numerous benefits including, better sleep, improved concentration and focus; increased strength and flexibility; improved posture, balance & coordination; greater body, emotional and environmental awareness; and overall sense of well-being.

About the Yoga Teacher: Dr. Monya Cohen started her own yoga journey 12 years ago and believes in the healing effects of yoga on the body and the mind. Dr. Cohen is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and Master of Social Work and is trained in complex trauma and DBT. She works with children and adolescents who have a history of complex trauma and have difficulty regulating their emotions. Dr. Cohen has integrated the healing effects of yoga, including the power of the breath and movement into her therapy practice to help kids realize their full potential. She completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training with Mr. Max Strom and is in the process of completing a second 200 hour yoga certification with Ms. Shakta Khalsa, Director of the Radiant Child Yoga.

Dr. Cohen and PE Teacher Mr. Farrell doing a group “Tree” pose.

Dr. Cohen and Mr. Farrell demonstrating “Twisted Warrior” pose with a group of students.

By: Dr. Monya Cohen

One of the assumptions of DBT is “People are doing the best they can and people can do better and try harder.” A quote from Mr. Max Strom, my yoga teacher, states, “We know that we deserve and are meant to live an inspired life that rises above mere existence.” How can we do more with our life or create a life worth living? According to Mr. Strom, change needs to occur simultaneously in the body, mind and the emotions. The practice of yoga is an effective way of healing the body, the mind and our heart/emotions. Yoga benefits people of all ages; the very young and the very old; adults, toddlers , children and adolescents. Yoga incorporates mindfulness, meditation, breathing and guided relaxation.

Breath and Movement : Steps Toward Emotional Healing at RICA

Continued from Page 1

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#MentalIllnessFeelsLike

MHA’s Tips for Tackling Anxiety MHA’s Tips for Tackling Depression

Call someone you trust: let them know that your anxiety has gotten the better of you and that you need some sup-port.

Do something physical! Go on a walk, do some jumping jacks, anything that will help your body to burn up excess energy.

Distract yourself: try knitting or even a coloring book for adults-repetitive motions can have a calming effect similar to meditation.

Make a list of things that you can refer to in order to lift your spirits when you’re feeling down. Include things like; funny websites, movies that make you laugh, playing with a pet, etc.

Keep a journal: take some time each night to write down three good things that happened during the day, this can really change your outlook!

Make an appointment with a therapist: establishing a helpful and positive relationship with an expert can help get your feelings under control and teach you great coping skills.

For more information regarding Mental Health Month, #MentalIllnessFeelsLike, or for more tips and advice for fighting mental illness please visit:

http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/

In honor of Mental Health Month we would like to provide you with some of MHA’s information and resources for dealing with anxiety and depression, two of the most

commonly diagnosed mental illnesses.

May is Mental Health Month.

The goal of this month is to raise awareness of mental health issues throughout our society. According to Mental Health America (MHA) this year’s theme is “Life with a Mental Illness.” The purpose of this theme is to reach out to those suffering from mental illness and have them share their stories through social media using the hashtag #MentalIllnessFeelsLike. Posts can be submitted anonymously to MHA and will be posted on their web page during the month of May! Through using this hashtag MHA hopes to help raise awareness of mental health and help identify some signs and symptoms of mental health disorders.

Calendar of Events

May 27, 2016

Last day of School for Seniors!

May 30, 2016 Memorial Day

State & School CLOSED

June 3, 2016 High School

Graduation Day! School CLOSED

June 6, 2016

8th Grade Promotion

June 13, 2016 FORE...the Children

Golf Tournament

June 13-17, 2016 Final Exam Week!

June 20, 2016 Last day of school

1/2 day for students

July 4, 2016 Independence Day

State CLOSED

July 5-29, 2016 Extended School Year

(ESY)

July 5 - Aug. 10, 2016 Summer Enrichment

Program

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Puzzle #1

Puzzle #2

Spring Sudoku!

Answers on page 7

Puzzles from: http://www.puzzles.ca/sudoku.html

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Science Technology Engineering Mathematics - STEM FAIR and Johns Hopkins University

On Friday April 22nd JLG-RICA students participated in our annual STEM Fair. Elementary, Middle and High School students were able to choose, create, and present their own science project to a team of three judges from Johns Hopkins University Shady Grove Campus (JHU). The three judges were from the Johns Hopkins graduate program for Bio-technology; this program is a special health science intensive for students who want to become doctors. The judges were contacted as part of a volunteer op-portunity with JHU and were thrilled to have the chance to work with students who are learning how to test their scientific theories and check their conclu-sions.

This partnership is just one of the ways that Johns Hopkins University Shady Grove Campus has helped us. JHU staff have gone above and beyond providing holiday gifts to our students for the past 18 years during our annual holiday gift drive! We look forward to working with them each year.

JLG-RICA students came up with a wide variety of projects and ideas to test and present to the judges. Some projects included were: a replica of our solar system, reactive volcano models, making silly putty and a computer generated robot! Our students demonstrated their varying expertise through their creative and unique projects.

John Hopkins Univerisy volunteer judges : Luciano Misitrano, Kelsea McDyre & Danielle Gabe

The STEM Fair lasted from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm with a two hour deliberation period for the judges. The day concluded with an awards ceremony held in our gymnasium. Students received awards for their science fair projects as well as various achievements such as honor roll for the last marking period. We would like to thank Johns Hopkins University Shady Grove Campus and our three volunteer judges for participating in the awesome event!

A replica of our solar system done by JLG-RICA’s Elementary School Class!

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Answers For Sudoku Puzzles:

Puzzle # 1 Puzzle # 2

Chesapeake Bay Adventure!

By Claire LeFebvre, JLG-RICA Science Teacher

This past March, JLG-RICA students were able to experience a unique field trip right in our own back yard! The educational fieldtrip was for environmental and biology science classes and was hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Students were able to enjoy 66 degree weather, bagged lunch on a boat, sunshine and smooth waters while completing important data gathering (hands on learning) in Maryland's Baltimore Harbor. Students entered yearly data sampling of water quality and biodiversity in specific locations for monitoring the health of the bay. This information is used by numerous organizations outside of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to make important decisions regarding laws and permit quotas. Our staff and students learned an important lesson while taking in the beautiful scenery!

A special thank you to the JLG-RICA science teachers, The Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the financial support from the RICA Association, Inc. for working

together to make this a wonderful field trip!

CEO Letter

Here’s your copy of

The Express Newsletter!

JLG-RICA

15000 Broschart Road Rockville, MD 20850

Kenneth L. Basler Chief Executive Officer, JLG-RICA

The school year is rapidly coming to an end and people are preparing for summer vacation. This is an exciting time of year for the staff and students at JLG-RICA. The Department of Community Resources and Development and the RICA Association are working together to prepare for graduation on June 3, 2016 and the 22nd annual FORE . . . the CHILDREN Golf Tournament on June 13, 2016. One of the special parts of graduation is the presentation of scholarships to the graduating seniors and alumni of the program. These scholarships are provided by individuals, civic organizations, community stakeholders, and the RICA Association. Congratulations to Class of 2016. The Summer Enrichment Program is currently being planned by both clinical and residential staff. This program gives our students wonderful opportunities to experience things they may not ordinarily get the chance to. These things include camping, working with a mime to learn about non-verbal expression, preparing a music and talent show to present to staff and parents, outside fitness programs and other trips and experiences within the local area. A lot of the funding for these programs comes through the Patient Welfare Fund and the RICA Association.

The RICA Association is partnering again this year with the Kiwanis Club of Wheaton-Silver Spring for the 22nd annual FORE . . . the CHILDREN Golf Tournament. This main fundraiser for the RICA Association assists in helping provide scholarships for graduation, field trips, school assemblies, and various opportunities for the youth during the Summer Enrichment program. This year the event is being held at a new venue. It will be at the Argyle Country Club in Silver Spring on Monday, June 13, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. There are multiple ways you can support the event. If you don’t golf, you can still help support the cause by coming out to Argyle Country Club for the dinner and participate in the silent auction, and/or purchase raffle tickets. There is a chance to win a free week in St. Croix, a week in Ocean City, or a $125 Giant gift card. Please contact Marlayna Proctor, Director, Community Resources and Development at (301) 251-6838 for more information. Thank you for all your support throughout the year. Thank you in advance for your consideration of supporting the golf tournament. I look forward to seeing you at graduation or the golf tournament this year.