September, Already!

Time flies when you are having fun! At least it has for me. Newark High School, students, families, and staff, thank you for welcoming me into your community. I feel very blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people who dedicate their lives to education; they are all so driven and invested. And to the students, thank you for being so kind. My heart has been so full as I learn the culture of the school. I have seen exceptional kindness from the students and love watching them interact so genuinely. Parents, you should be proud!

In August I was able to continue “Mindful Moments” during the morning announcements, where I provided quotes, thought provoking statements, and kindness challenges. My hope with these are to allow for students to reflect on how they use kindness, life skills, and make the best out of there everyday. I will continue to provide daily “Mindful Moments” throughout the remainder of the year to promote self-awareness for the staff and students. I have also been given the opportunity to sit in on some freshman classes to observe student introductions, and let me tell you, these kids are special and funny (as if you didn’t already know that)!

This month we will be focusing on self-acceptance. I will have a bulletin board up in the cafeteria with sticky notes that will be filled with positive self-affirmations, kind words, and gratitude statements. The bulletin board will be a “take what you need, give what you can” concept. I hope that with this, we can allow our students to learn and apply some positive affirmations towards themselves in addition to handing out kind and uplifting words to peers and staff.

Learning to accept who we are, flaws, imperfections, struggles, and all, is probably one of lives hardest challenges. My goal in promoting positive-affirmations in the school is to help our students value their positive traits, qualities, and learn to love their quirks! Growing up in a society full of constant comparison is hard and draining, and can take a toll on our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. If we teach our youth to show compassion to themselves as they do others at a young age, I am hoping we can foster and cultivate a positive, uplifting, supportive, and a compassionate generation. Where they learn from their mistakes rather than beat them selves up, and where they empathize with their peers opposed to judging.

Please help me promote self-love this September! Redirect your student if you hear negative self-talk by reminding them of all their wonderful qualities. While they may not always be easily identified, we all have them (lots of them)! And to the parents and staff, you can help model self-love by showing yourself some compassion as well.

“Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve with the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel” -Eleanor Brown