District expands initiative with library

Plans to host online presentation from NAMI

Mentor Schools recently announced that a new initiative with Mentor Public Library will allow students of all grades in the district to have access to the library’s digital resources.

Some of the resources include programs such as Kanopy, a platform for movies, and Libby, an app that allows access to many books, audiobooks and magazines. Online educational courses and digital SAT/ACT test prep will also be available for Mentor students after signing up for this program.

In a release sent out to Mentor Schools families, school officials said they began piloting this program in March 2020 at Mentor High School, but now students from kindergarten through 12th grade will be able to sign up.

In addition to immediate access to the digital programs and databases offered through Mentor Public Library, students will also receive a physical library card which will allow them to take out up to three books at a time.

Mentor students can sign up for the digital resource program on the library’s website.

Mentor Schools is also holding an upcoming virtual presentation brought to the district’s families by the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Lake County, aimed at educating viewers about mental health and how to recognize symptoms of mental illness in others or themselves.

The “Ending the Silence For Families” presentation will be held via Zoom on Feb. 22 and 24 at 7 p.m. According to a release sent out by school officials, the program is not recommended for students under 12 years old, but all Mentor Schools families are welcome to join.

NAMI’s presentation will go over warning signs for mental health issues, such as an individual feeling sad or withdrawn for over two weeks, excessive alcohol or drug use, or sudden and overwhelming fear responses for no apparent reason.

It will also go over tips for parents on how to best approach discussing mental health with their children, and ideas on how to connect with the child’s teacher, or other school staff, to work together to help the student succeed.