Helping students learn how to control their anger was the focus of November lessons.
“Anger is often the most powerful emotion for children and even adults, but it can reveal a deep assortment of underlying emotions,” East St. John Preparatory Academy Counselor Jennifer Russell said. “Anger is a growing problem on school campuses everywhere.”
Russell’s lesson covered teen anger and why anger can be the tip of an emotional iceberg. Students discovered methods for recognizing anger and how to cope with it.
“We discussed what leads up to anger and how to diffuse angry or violent situations,” she said. “The students also learn about anger and home life, why covering up anger is dangerous, how to maintain positive attitudes and how to deal with this negative emotion in a positive way.”
Students role played coping techniques including:
- Taking deep breathes
- Counting
- Exercise and how it plays an important role in releasing angry thoughts
- Retreating to a quiet place
- Vent!! Talking to someone they trust
- Using Self talk and calming statements
- Lying down to relax
- Tensing your body then releasing the tension
- Using “I” messages (I feel angry when you_____, I want you to____) to reduce confrontation
- Peaceful thoughts (visualization)
- Walking away
- Avoiding known anger triggers
Other schools continued to focus on career and college exploration.
West St. John Elementary and High School planned and organized the annual STEM Night. Teachers created various engaging educational activities and used manipulatives to demonstrate how they incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) into their daily curriculum. Teachers worked collaboratively to set up several stations for these event.
“These hands-on, engaging activities are geared toward elevating students academically as well as preparing them for the real-world,” Counselor Bertha Spivey said. “They promote higher order thinking and problem solving. This is an awesome learning experience for our students!”
The Explorer’s Club at Emily C. Watkins Elementary continued its bi-monthly meetings that give students the chance to explore post- secondary education, career exploration and leadership building skills while in middle school. The club is open to seventh- and eighth-grade students.
Among the many activities that took place at John L. Ory Communication Arts Magnet School during November was the participation by seventh- and eighth-grade students in the Teen Youth Summit at the convention center. in LaPlace. Students heard from guest speakers about college prospects, financial literacy and cyber safety.
LaPlace Elementary School students continued college tours with a visit to Southeastern Louisiana University.
All schools hosted a Parent Appreciation Day. At Lake Pontchartrain Elementary this included a Family Appreciation Picnic during which students presented their parents with a letter or craft.