Haverford Middle School Student Wellness Initiative

Purpose and Plan Student wellness issues are not only complex and interconnected, but they are critical to the health of our kids. We are committed to providing the necessary information and support that will enable our kids to learn and grow. Adolescents need information about and support with: Digital citizenship, social awareness and responsibility, and inclusion skills Exercise, body image, and healthy eating habits Depression, anxiety, stress, and suicide awareness Tobacco, drug, and alcohol awareness and prevention We want to provide a comprehensive, student-centered, and sustainable student wellness program that will meet the needs of our kids and their families.

Student Wellness Days We commit our teaching and learning on four Act 80 Teacher In- service days to student wellness. Our instruction is student- centered, informative, interactive, educational, and designed to offer support and strategies for our kids. We offer a parent preview night before each Student Wellness Day. Parents have the opportunity to meet the guest speaker or representative, discuss the agenda for the day, and ask questions.

Student Wellness Days We are connecting our teaching and learning from Student Wellness Days with our current curricula. 6th grade Developmental Guidance 7th grade Physical Education 8th grade Health We have developed partnerships with the following community organizations and contacts to support our Student Wellness Days: Haverford Township Police Department Minding Your Mind Lankenau Hospital Haverford Alliance for Drug Awareness

Digital Safety & Awareness October 31, 2016 Session 1 – Grade level guest speaker Officer Michael Flynn, The Haverford Township Police Department Legal issues related to the inappropriate use of digital devices Community expectations regarding digital devices Session 2 – Team - Counselor led video and interactive discussion Cyber-bullying Session 3 – Homeroom teacher presentation School wide expectations regarding digital devices Team / teacher expectations regarding digital devices Interactive conversation Staff, student, and parent response

Digital Safety & Awareness Feedback Parents “Great Initiative!!!  Thank you!” “Boy I don’t know…  Feels so new age to me. But then again I have an 11 year old with the discipline of a Marine because of his fear of failure…” “This is so incredible.  I am so excited for Jack that he will get to experience this.” Staff Positive support Appreciative of the consistent message in the school Students Pre/post test data – growth in understanding

Minding Your Mind January 13, 2017 Session 1 - Minding Your Mind guest speaker Jon – 6th grade – Perfection Melissa – 7th grade - Bullying Drew – 8th grade – Stress Session 2 - Team – Counselor led video and interactive discussion Stress, anxiety, and depression Session 3 - Breakout sessions led by teachers - Positive coping strategies Art Music Exercise Yoga Team building

Minding Your Mind Feedback Parents “Both my 6th grader and my 8th grader actually had lengthy talks with me about this presentation. Thank you for bringing those young men to HMS to speak on such an important issue.   I can foresee the opportunity - and now the ability - to reference the talk, the individuals and the topic in many future conversations.” “Thanks so much for offering this!  What a great idea, and the fact that the school is talking about this will help with the stigma that kids feel around these issues.  I'm sure that they will use these outlets in the future because you have introduced them at a young age.  Love it!” “Thank you so much for having this at the school.  It's such a major part of these kids lives and it's wonderful that the school district cares about these kids as a whole and not just academics.”

Minding Your Mind Feedback Staff Enjoyed leading and participating with the kids Appreciative and supportive that student wellness issues are being addressed Students Pre/post test – growth in understanding Public and personal conversations

Mindfulness February 17, 2017 Session 1 - Mindfulness Instructor guest speaker Deb Cyb will present information and review mindfulness techniques that will be taught to each grade level Session 2 - Mindfulness practice in the classroom Classroom teachers will lead students in building and strengthening a culture of mindfulness in their classroom Session 3 - Breakout sessions led by teachers – Practicing mindfulness techniques Mindful listening, breathing, observation, and eating Mindfulness of thoughts and emotions Teacher training to bring basic mindfulness practice into classroom

Drug & Alcohol Awareness May 19, 2017 Session 1 - Grade level guest speaker - Officer Michael Flynn, The Haverford Township Police Department Legal issues related to the inappropriate use of drugs and alcohol Community expectations regarding drugs and alcohol Session 2 – Working with local groups for a team presentation Session 3 – Breakout sessions led by teachers

Thank you for your support!