May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to help break the stigma around mental health and support overall well-being. It is important for parents and caregivers to talk with their children about mental health, especially since about 1 in 5 children experience a mental health challenge each year. Getting support early can make a big difference. Open conversations help children build strength, feel understood, and know it is okay to ask for help.

Watch the video to learn tips for supporting your children’s mental health wellness. Click the links below for more mental health  resources:

Resources for Mental Health Awareness Month

How to Help Kids Talk About Their Mental Health Tip Sheet

Mental Health Local Organizations

Behind the Curtain: A Mental Health Story of Family and Friendship Video

Summer Reading Is Critical to Academic Success and Beyond

Summer reading is more than just a way to stay busy during the long summer months—it plays an important role in helping children stay on track academically. Without regular reading, many children experience learning loss, often called the “summer slide.”

Reading over the summer helps children strengthen their comprehension skills, build vocabulary, and develop a lifelong love of learning. It also supports critical thinking and helps children grow in empathy by exposing them to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences.

Encouraging your child to read just a little each day can make a big difference in their confidence and success when they return to school.

Explore the links below for reading programs and opportunities.

South Mountain Community Library Summer Reading Program

Maricopa County Reads Online 

Camp Kroc

Champions Summer Camp at Ed and Verma Pastor Elementary School

Learning Guide for PreK–8th Grade

BOOK IT! for Parents Program

Summer Learning Activities

The Benefits of Audiobooks for ALL Readers

A library card is your ticket to books, learning, and endless adventures.

The Phoenix Public Library offers families free access to educational, cultural, and recreational resources. This includes the Culture Pass program for free museum admission, STEM-focused makerspaces, and early literacy storytimes.

Additional benefits include free Wi-Fi and computer access, book borrowing, specialized youth play areas, and the PHXWorks program for career support.

College Depot, located at Burton Barr Central Library, also provides a free, full-service college access center.

Learn more about the College Depot: https://bit.ly/4gwKY0n

To get a Phoenix Public Library card, visit any library location with a photo ID showing your name and current address. Residents of Maricopa County can get a free card.

You can also register online for an eCard for immediate access to digital resources.

Did you know that children can lose about 25–34% of their math skills over the summer? This is called the “summer slide,” and it can be about 2–3 months of lost learning.

Reading over the summer is easy—kids can just pick up a fun book. But math can be harder because most kids don’t want to sit and do worksheets during their break.

So how can children still practice math in a fun way over the summer?

We’re sharing some fun summer math activities to help elementary students keep their skills strong over the summer.

Click below to explore activities that are easy to add into summer plans.

7 Ways to Practice Math Over the Summer

Early Math Resources (Math Snacks – Available in Spanish)

Math Videos Aligned with Arizona Math Standards

Family Math Toolkit (English and Spanish)

Register to access all resources. Registration is free.

9 Summer Math Activities

Our team will always do the best to accommodate each family’s unique needs. However, if you find yourself in an immediate crisis, please reach out to one of these agencies.

Crisis Line
602-222-9444

Teen Lifeline
602-248-8336

Mind 24-7
844-646-3247

Police (Non-Emergency)
602-262-6151

Department of Child Safety
1-888-767-2445

Rio Vista Center
Food Boxes, Farmers Market and Community Garden
1431 E. Southern Ave. Phoenix
602-242-1866

St. Mary's Food Bank
Food Boxes
2831 N. 31st Ave. Phoenix
602-242-3663

Women/Children
Family Housing Hub of UMOM
3307 E Van Buren St. Phoenix
877-211-8661

Men
Andre House
206 S. 12th Ave. Phoenix
602-229-5155

Single Women
Halle Women's Center of UMOM
3424 E. Van Buren St. Phoenix
602-362-5833

We will be hosting district-wide workshops and events throughout the school year.

View May's Workshops