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Technology is empowering Canyons District students to learn from home, but can pose challenges when they can’t log in to online learning platforms or their computing device malfunctions.

To help students and parents troubleshoot technology blips and breakdowns encountered while navigating the new world of distance learning, Canyons District has created a Technology Help Hotline at 801-826-5200. The hotline will be dedicated to supporting families and staffed Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Anyone needing to request help outside of those hours may do so through CSD’s online request form.

“The hope with the hotline is that it will give families an extra avenue for connecting with us during business hours,” says CSD’s Information Technology Director Scot McCombs. “The dismissal of schools and switch to online learning is new for students and can be stressful. We want them to know there’s help available to overcome any technological problems they encounter.”

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We’ve countered COVID-19’s assault on our physical health by social distancing and working and educating our children from home. But what can, and should, we be doing to safeguard our mental health?

World health experts who have argued for flattening the COVID-19 curve are now warning of a second coronavirus wave of depression, anxiety and emotional exhaustion that could last long after the infectious disease threat has waned.

“It’s important to take care of yourself after any traumatic event,” says BJ Weller, Director of Canyons District’s Responsive Services Department, which oversees counseling and social-emotional supports in schools. “But this health crisis has been particularly worrisome from a mental wellness perspective, because the steps we’ve needed to take to respond can make it harder to cope emotionally.” Social distancing has left many of us socially isolated and economically vulnerable. We are grieving the loss of loved ones and important rituals, from weddings to graduation ceremonies, even as we lose connection with family and friends, the very people to whom we turn to mourn our losses.

But students and parents can take comfort knowing they’re not alone, Weller says. “We’re all going through this together, and help is available.” Throughout the soft closure of Utah’s schools, CSD social workers, psychologists and counselors have been proactively checking-in with students by email or phone. As the growing need for mental health supports has become apparent, the Department of Responsive Services is now launching an online behavioral supports request form that parents can easily access from home.

Request Social Emotional / Mental Health Support

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The Canyons Board of Education is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Rick L. Robins as the next superintendent of the Canyons District.

During a special meeting held Tuesday, April 14, 2020, the seven-member Board of Education unanimously voted to approve the selection of Dr. Robins, a veteran educator and administrator, as the new chief executive of the 34,000-student district.

Dr. Robins’ appointment, effective July 1, 2020, comes after a two-month national search. Robins, currently the Superintendent of the Juab School District, will succeed Dr. Jim Briscoe, who retires June 30 after a 38-year career as an educator and administrator in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Utah. Dr. Briscoe announced his retirement plans on Jan. 14.

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