Demarest, NJ: Stress is part of life. Left unchecked, it amps up anxiety and impedes durable learning.
According to school officials, on September 25th, Holy Angels stood up to stress by hosting the Academy’s first Wellness Wednesday.
Officials say during “community time,” a morning flex period, faculty and staff reinforced their commitment to educating the whole person by leading stress reduction activities.
Everyone at AHA was invited to join in and learn positive stress-management techniques.
Options included journaling, art therapy, kickball, fitness training, Frisbee, laughter yoga, meditation, coloring for relaxation, pickleball, tennis, karaoke, doodling, and a chance to walk outdoors and connect with nature on a beautiful autumn day.
Participants had the opportunity to meet individuals from different grade levels and departments.
Wellness Wednesday is an integral part of the Academy’s new rotating block schedule. Unveiled this fall, the new schedule features an eight-day cycle that allows students to take eight courses. Students meet for 70-minute classes a few times a week.
The longer classes allow teachers to dig deeper into their subject areas and foster active classrooms that highlight project-based learning, reflection, discussion, and interdisciplinary learning.
AHA Principal Ms. Jean Miller emphasized that the goal is to promote understanding and maximize durable learning. She noted that, because the same classes do not meet every day, students must retrieve information from the previous lesson, a process that aids emotional and cognitive engagement.
When surveyed, AHA students said they wanted a quiet room where no one was talking, and a place where they could work on test preparation with others. Community time helps to fulfill these requests.
During this period, students have the option of spending their time in classrooms designated for quiet study, or places where they can speak with other students.
Teachers are able to use community time minutes to administer tests or finish a lesson on days when Masses or assemblies are scheduled. In addition, this time allows faculty and staff to collaborate, pursue professional development, build better relationships with the students, and provide extra help.