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April
2020 |
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You have nearly made it to spring break of your freshman year! Well done!!
You have also just completed FOUR WEEKS of virtual learning where you have proven you are a flexible learner - capable of learning inside AND outside of the physical school building!
In this newsletter we invite you to revisit the character strengths you identified earlier this year according to the VIA Strength survey. I'll bet you have leveraged those character strengths during virtual learning in some way! You'll also find tips for what to do with your spring break as well as a few articles to help you as you consider extracurricular activities next year. Finally, do you struggle with procrastination? You can find helpful tips for how to tackle this area in an article found below.
We miss having you in the high school, but wish you a very restful and bright spring break!
You have also just completed FOUR WEEKS of virtual learning where you have proven you are a flexible learner - capable of learning inside AND outside of the physical school building!
In this newsletter we invite you to revisit the character strengths you identified earlier this year according to the VIA Strength survey. I'll bet you have leveraged those character strengths during virtual learning in some way! You'll also find tips for what to do with your spring break as well as a few articles to help you as you consider extracurricular activities next year. Finally, do you struggle with procrastination? You can find helpful tips for how to tackle this area in an article found below.
We miss having you in the high school, but wish you a very restful and bright spring break!
Virtual Learning
Congratulations on completing FOUR WEEKS of virtual learning!
We are so proud of the way you have continued to invest in your learning during such a topsy-turvy time!
Please find below a few areas to check in with yourself to see what healthy habits you have in place and to consider other habits you might want to incorporate during the rest of our virtual school adventure.
Congratulations on completing FOUR WEEKS of virtual learning!
We are so proud of the way you have continued to invest in your learning during such a topsy-turvy time!
Please find below a few areas to check in with yourself to see what healthy habits you have in place and to consider other habits you might want to incorporate during the rest of our virtual school adventure.
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* New addition to the website:
This page is meant to be a space where you can come and find encouragement, tools and support for coping with this new learning situation. |
Can I talk to my counselor?
*Please click the button below if you would like to set up a time to meet online with your counselor. |
Helpful resources:
1) Apartment Therapy - article to help cultivate happiness at home
2) Take care of your eyes:
1) Apartment Therapy - article to help cultivate happiness at home
2) Take care of your eyes:
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VIA Strengths Explorer -Why do I need to know my Character Strengths?
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Yes, we know we already went through the process of identifying your character strengths through Via Strengths.
But KNOWING your character strengths isn't just interesting information. When skillfully applied, character strengths can actually have a significant positive impact on your life. Research shows that using your character strengths can help you:
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This is the PERFECT time to revisit your character strength results and ask yourself:
1. In what ways have I seen my character strengths come through for me during the last four weeks of virtual learning?
2, What is a character strength I have that I could more intentionally try to use to help me succeed or be healthier during this time of virtual learning and being at home?
1. In what ways have I seen my character strengths come through for me during the last four weeks of virtual learning?
2, What is a character strength I have that I could more intentionally try to use to help me succeed or be healthier during this time of virtual learning and being at home?
A Guide to Extracurricular Activities: Grade 10Right now there is - and will be - information coming to you from all different directions about opportunities for involvement in clubs and extracurricular activities next year. It may be overwhelming, and you may feel pressured to respond to everything that is coming your way.
Take a deep breath.
Think through what you most want out of your high school experience. What worked this year? What didn't work well?
Think about your strengths and where you can best apply them.
Read the article below.
"Extracurricular activities can be some of the most fun and memorable parts of high school, but they’re also an important way to prepare for your future in college and beyond. Participating in extracurriculars can teach you practical skills, expose you to new ideas, and allow you to develop as a leader in ways that will be extremely valuable later on." Keep reading the article here.
https://blog.collegevine.com/a-guide-to-extracurricular-activities-grade-10/
Take a deep breath.
Think through what you most want out of your high school experience. What worked this year? What didn't work well?
Think about your strengths and where you can best apply them.
Read the article below.
"Extracurricular activities can be some of the most fun and memorable parts of high school, but they’re also an important way to prepare for your future in college and beyond. Participating in extracurriculars can teach you practical skills, expose you to new ideas, and allow you to develop as a leader in ways that will be extremely valuable later on." Keep reading the article here.
https://blog.collegevine.com/a-guide-to-extracurricular-activities-grade-10/
How do I say no if I really don't want to do something?
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Consider these reasons for saying no:
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The Procrastination Trap
When students think about the task they’re supposed to work on, they experience an uncomfortable negative emotion: stress, overwhelm, anxiety, boredom, etc. This triggers an impulse to do some sort of pleasant or relaxing activity that will repair this negative mood — for example: texting friends, watching a YouTube video, or checking out the latest episode of your favorite Netflix show. Often we’ll rationalize this decision by telling ourselves: “I’m too tired/stressed/distracted/etc. to do this now…I’ll feel more motivated later.” In the short term, these mood repair activities work! They distract students from their negative emotions, and lead to temporary increases in happiness. However, as soon as that activity is over, and they go back to thinking about the task, the negative emotion returns. |
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Only this time, the negative feelings are STRONGER, because there’s even less time available (which creates more stress & anxiety), PLUS there’s the added negativity of feeling guilty for not starting the work sooner.
And so the cycle continues…until there’s so little time left that we have to choose between tackling the task in spite of our negative emotions, or running out of time to do it at all.
It’s human nature to avoid negative emotions, and seek out positive ones. So, it’s easy to fall into this emotional procrastination trap…especially when you’re a teenager, whose brain is wired to respond more strongly & impulsively to emotions than adults do.
WHAT CAN I DO THEN???
Click to read the rest of this article by Dr.Maggie Wray to find out ways you can "escape the trap" of procrastination.
And so the cycle continues…until there’s so little time left that we have to choose between tackling the task in spite of our negative emotions, or running out of time to do it at all.
It’s human nature to avoid negative emotions, and seek out positive ones. So, it’s easy to fall into this emotional procrastination trap…especially when you’re a teenager, whose brain is wired to respond more strongly & impulsively to emotions than adults do.
WHAT CAN I DO THEN???
Click to read the rest of this article by Dr.Maggie Wray to find out ways you can "escape the trap" of procrastination.
Note-taking: Laptops or Notebook?
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As laptops become smaller and more ubiquitous, and with the advent of tablets, the idea of taking notes by hand just seems old-fashioned to many students today. Typing your notes is faster — which comes in handy when there's a lot of information to take down. But it turns out there are still advantages to doing things the old-fashioned way.
Read More |
Not sure what to do over spring break?
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Relax! Take some time to rest and enjoy being WITH the people you with.
Go for a walk, run or bike ride. That's right - a little bit of exercise and taking in the spring blossoms and sunshine!
Volunteer. Go do something that is for someone else! It's a great way to stretch yourself and see the world from a different perspective. It can also produce gratefulness and happiness! When you volunteer, you are often giving yourself an opportunity to grow and learn more about who you are and what is important to you.
Read a book... because you WANT to. This may seem small, but it can make a significant difference in your college admission interviews and essays. Admissions officers often ask which novels have made an impact on you as a person as well as in your education. You don’t want a good answer; you want a great answer!
Study. It may sound boring, but this can be a great way to catch up on projects/work you have coming up. Use this time to update your planner, stay on top of your classes/assignments and plan for the last weeks of school.
Let's recharge and finish off the year strong!!
