trevordayschool

Once students reach the Upper School, mental, social-emotional, and physical benchmarks advance. To achieve expanded mental health, decision-making skills are enhanced by teaching students to communicate properly, to make informed, realistic decisions, and putting them into action. Other skills that students learn to apply during this course include: an increased ability to reason; a developed tendency to write with complexity; and the use of strategic theories regarding well-being. From a social and emotional perspective, students can voice emotions and find solutions to problems while interacting with peers as well as role models. At the same time, other physical changes set in: Appetites increase; more sleep is needed. Agility and coordination levels improve, and functional movement patterns are implemented through movement programs. Learning Pathways The Health & Wellness program is in full swing this year at Trevor. Except for 9th graders (who take a semester-long class entitled Ethical Foundations with Ms. Loria, Director of Middle and Upper School Counseling) all Middle and Upper School students attend a health class once per cycle (i.e., every two weeks). Each class begins with a mindfulness activity, ranging from meditation to breath work to creative exercises. Students are gaining a holistic view of health through each lesson. WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING… "I find Health beneficial because it is important to keep your emotions and mental health in check." –Middle Schooler "As a middle schooler I am learning more about myself and my emotions." –Middle Schooler "With all the stress from school, particularly in senior year, we sometimes forget about important things, like taking proper care of our bodies. Through the Health & Wellness course, we explore how to balance conflicting pressures, learn how to manage stress, and are introduced to concrete strategies to manage our emotional well-being as we navigate our busy teenage lives. Mr. FitzGerald is a great teacher and is also the best coach I have ever had in any sport. Without his emotional and practical support over the years during track season, I would not have reached my potential. He is the best cheerleader a team could ask for; he consistently pushes us to perform our best and then heaps on the praise—win, or lose, provided we have tried hard. He helps, supports, and improves us all, both in and out of the classroom." –Upper Schooler "I feel very privileged to be part of the Health & Wellness program, as our discussions on mental, physical, social, and emotional health help build skills to deal with these challenges during and beyond our time at Trevor." –Upper Schooler MENTAL HEALTH SOCIAL HEALTH PHYSICAL HEALTH 32 / TREVOR MAGAZINE WINTER 2022–2023

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