News from the Nest - Sept19-23

Spotlight on Learning:  Student Voice -  Self-Care Mondays

In May this year, six Grade 11 WJ Mouat students participated in a Mental Health Forum hosted by the Abbotsford School District. They were tasked with reviewing the YDI (Youth Development Index) survey results for WJ Mouat and to come up with an actionable plan to help improve student well-being and mental health at their school.

From this forum, Self-care Mondays are now being embedded in the WJ Mouat school calendar. Every month showcases a specific theme around wellness (September is Hydrate for Good health, October is Vitamins for Vitality, etc.) and, specifically, every Monday staff and students are provided with an activity or a focus for the week that promotes positive mental health and wellness.  This activity is shared via email to staff, in daily announcements and is also included in the weekly “News from the Nest” bulletin for staff, students and parents. 

Additionally, the students who participated in this Mental Health Forum felt it was important that the school and staff offer self-care moments in the classroom that are flexible and supportive of different learners. For example, if a Self-Care Monday focused on nature, some students may be permitted to go for a short walk during class time or to sit outside for a few minutes to breathe in fresh air. This activity or focus would be showcased all week providing students with opportunities to refresh their minds so that they may return to class more prepared to take on new learning.  Forum students also felt it was imperative that staff model these self-care moments and that, as a school, the value of self-care and wellness for all become pivotal.

To further support this plan of action, Team Leaders at WJ Mouat have also been tasked, as part of the school plan, to show how they will address with more intentionality, Social Emotional Learning, in their classrooms.  Each department or team has come up with a specific action that they will embed into their lessons weekly or daily.

Self-Care Laughter

This week’s self-care tip is about LAUGHTER.  

When it comes to relieving stress, more giggles are just what the doctor ordered. When you start to laugh, it doesn’t simply lighten your load mentally, it also does several things to you on a physical level including increasing your intake of oxygen which stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles and increases the release of endorphins (the feel-good hormone). All of that to say that a good laugh can help relax you and reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress. 

So, watch that sitcom and tell that joke because it will do the mind and body good! 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456 

CHARACTER WORD OF THE WEEK:  SOCIAL AWARENESS

Key Actions for Social Awareness:

• I know how to show concern for others’ well-being.
• I can act compassionately and with empathy.
• I am willing to show mercy and forgiveness.
• I realize that my reputation is on display when I interact with others.

Spirit Week

• Mellow Monday
• Tip-Top Tuesday - tiaras, top hats and monocles
• Wednesday is our Club Fair and the corresponding spirit day is High-School Stereotypes (Jocks, Nerds, Artsy....) 
• Thursday is grade colours: 9s - blue, 10s-green, 11s-pink, 12s-purple , staff - rainbow
• Friday - Mouat colours (red and gold)

Calendar

• Monday, September 19
  • No School
  • National Day of Mourning
• Tuesday, September 20
  • CDBA
  • Self-Care - Laughter
• Wednesday, September 21
  • BADC
  • Club Fair – LUNCH
  • Meet the Teacher 6pm
• Thursday, September 22
  • DCAB
  • JV Football Game 5pm
• Friday, September 23
  • BADC
  • Structured Learning Opportunities for Staff
  • First Block starts at 9:24am
  • School Open for Students at 8am with Supervision
  • Girls Volleyball Tournament