Stress!

3rd hour ladies  navigate the obstacle course.

A team from 7th hour moves through the course.

This past week in YESS we continued our talks about the future in discussing stress and the ways it can affect us. So many of our scholars have been feeling stressed lately, with PARCC  and CMAS testing and the end of the year now fast approaching. Mentors and mentees alike are working hard to ensure they have met all of the necessary learning targets in each class, though some are feeling overwhelmed with the stress of everything. We took some time this past week to talk about all the things that stress us out, what sort of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes might occur when we feel stressed, and what we can do to manage stress. We discussed the need for extra support and guidance during these stressful times. We also took some time to work on our end of year slide show and have been conducting ongoing interviews as we receive mentor applications. On Friday we ended our week with a special dance for all who worked hard during the three weeks of testing.

Andrea and Angelo work with me on their stress management plans.

Ava and Stacey enjoying a moment together as we work on the slide show,

Stress, like anger, is a hot topic for our scholars. It is so interesting to hear the different things that stress our scholars out and the way in which it affects each individual. We brainstormed out some things that cause us stress and got a great conversation going about the multitude of things that can cause one distress. I was proud of our mentees for really speaking up and not being afraid to admit what stressed them out--by this point in the year I can really notice a difference in their ability to voice their ideas in front of the class, which is wonderful. We had a wide range of issues, from politics and global warming to the simple but undeniable affect of a loved one being stressed out which, in turn, causes stress for others. We noted how stress can, like anger, affect us differently depending on the situation, our mindset, and even the time of day (many get more stressed out as they try and wake up and get ready in the morning!). We also discussed ways to combat stress (asking for help and open communication, getting enough sleep, exercise, and good nutrition, forming healthy relationships, making ESMART goals, and working on time management were just a few we came up with). I am very proud of honesty our mentors and mentees displayed as we talked about stress and completed our work sheet. We also did a great team builder where mentors and mentees worked together to get through a maze-- the catch being that the mentees could not see. We discussed how the extra support was necessary to make it through, and that sometimes when we are really stressed and feeling unsure about what to do next we need to try and reach out for help and extra support.

Enjoying the dance with two of my lady mentors!

The mentors have done a great job ensuring our slide show is ready for the end of year celebration on May 17th at Westy High School. They all had to choose a quote they liked, their future career choice(s), and what they liked most about YESS. Watching the slide show made me teary-eyed with pride as I prepare to say goodbye to my 8th grade mentors in just a few short weeks.

The amazing cards I received this past week!

On Friday we had a shortened schedule to accommodate for the dance we held outside in honor of all of those who worked hard during testing. Students also went around the school to deliver cards for Teacher Appreciation Day. I was stunned and so humbled to receive 59 cards from my students, along with a beautiful card specifically from a WEB leader named Pamela. It was an over-whelming outpouring of love, and I feel blessed that I have been able to affect these great young people in such a meaningful way. I had a blast hanging at the dance with some of my mentors, and am truly treasuring every day until we have to say goodbye.