May 7 - May is Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness month

A recent national poll suggested that 46% of teenagers have experienced a negative impact on their mental health during the pandemic. Even if the poll is off a bit, we're still talking about 1 in every 3, if not closer to every other one of our students has potentially experienced some form of mental health struggle this past year or longer. Yes, longer. A mental health crisis among teens existed prior to the pandemic. The mental health of our students is essential to their success and to the spirit of our community. Right now, our collective mental health is suffering and it has been for awhile. It shows up in many different forms and places. It shows up everyday at school. 

Many, if not the majority, of our students are struggling in ways that we often can not see, can not relate to, and might not have the experience, skill, nor confidence to help support them in the ways they need. This, I know, is hard for you. This is significant. 

This mental health crisis is one reason why we developed the PA Mental Health Awareness student group (which is growing). The PA Mental Health Awareness group has been meeting weekly in order to gather information about the needs of students and to help provide some resources and activities to raise awareness schoolwide. As you know, this month, there are butterflies in each of your classrooms and throughout the school to help remind everyone to take a little extra care of themselves and reach out if needed. In two weeks, students in the group will be providing all PA students with a ‘You Matter’ (fun & inspiring) personalized card (more details to come).  Please see Lindsey or Margo for any questions, ideas or feedback on the group’s work. 

I highlighted 'everyone' above, because we too have experienced a great challenge to our own mental health during the pandemic. We may be unaware of how many of us struggle each day with anxiety, frustration, fear, worry, etc. I applaud you all for seeking support from one another throughout the year, for working through your own personal challenges, and rising above the pandemic to meet the call for serving our students and community. 

Thank you and hang in there. The end is in sight and we have opportunities coming for all of us to take a mental break, refuel, rethink and recharge. 

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This Week's Link(s): 

This article about teenagers struggling is a short read from the NYTimes. It is one of many recent reads that I found enlightening. Among others, it inspires me to think more deeply about how we consider mental health and the importance of students (and our own) social and emotional needs. All of this has me thinking a lot about how we intentionally design learning experiences and our school to help equip students to persevere, build resilience, and confidence. (The Class of COVID-19 - another longer, but oh so powerful view into the issue)

If you are experiencing mental health challenges, please remember that InvestEAP is a free and anonymous resource provided by our health care. 

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Thank you Kate T, Michele, Tarah and countless students for making this happen! 

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Updates: 

Awesome PD Opportunity: Equity Practitioner Network  We would like to establish a student & teacher led group to take a deep dive into our school level Equity work, which will help guide our work moving forward. This 2 year professional opportunity is a great statewide effort, supported by school and LSUU wide teams of educators. In other words, teams are forming from other LSUU schools! It would be awesome if one or two PA teachers jumped in and joined the work. If you are interested, please take a look at the link above and see Phil. 

Vans Shoe Competition - No, not Alvan, but GMTCC - check out the WCAX coverage

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Calendar

5/12    Best Practice   Theme: The Month of May

A teacher appreciation gift

5/10  AP Exams Begin

5/12    Last Chapel Faculty Awards Due

5/28 - Memorial Day Observance - 11am, short video

5/29 - PROM

5/31 - Memorial Day - NO SCHOOL

6/8 - Last Day of Classes

6/10 - Graduation & PARADE

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TA (Teacher Advisory) 

Activity: On Your own & Announcements

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Schoolwide Happenings: 

Students comparing wellness projects in Health

Gotta love the new furniture - thank you PA Art! (and it could be yours if you bid for it this fall?)

Many more thanks for your tireless efforts and Jedi like execution of the force with our students

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Celebrations: 

Bonjour y Buenos días!

The inaugural French spoken Lost in Translation Poetry Event included over 60 registered participants from all over the state. The event required hard work and courageous performances. Check out who was Runner Up Certificates and prizes to awardees in mid-May.

1st place: Caitlin Balón

2nd place: Amatista Keller-Angelo (PA 10th Grade)

3rd place: Grace Marroquin

PASC (PA Stage Company) Update: 

Last weekend PASC participated in a virtual NEDF (New England Drama Festival). They submitted a 10 minute play featuring 4 actresses.

From director Dave Gabaree, " It reminded me why I love our students. Most schools submitted cuttings of a show they did previously. We were the only school to select a piece and prepare it specifically for this event. They did it in three weeks and ended up with a production that shined among the other submissions. The kids chose to have our submission be specific to this event and drove the quality of the production. It made me really proud of them.

Specifically the 3 ABs. They attended every discussion forum and represented PA well. It became clear to me that they were the reason we looked so good next to the other schools."

No awards this year for NEDF. Dave expects to have an HD version of the video available to us all in the near future. Stay tuned....

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Happy Birthday

Michele Walker  May 10

Jeff Brynn  May 11

Kyle Adams  May 11

Kim Laidlaw  May 19

Suzanne kempe  May 20

Phil Grant  May 21