Wellness update from Mrs. Whelan

March is always a busy month for students, families, and teachers. Although spring break is right around the corner, we have observed that some members of our community seem a bit tired and in need of more energy and refueling. The Wellness Committee at Lab sees this as the perfect time to schedule some events that focus on our physical, social, and emotional health. 

We hope that you will reiterate these important messages at home and support our efforts to make our lives a bit simpler and rejuvinating this month. Upcoming events include:
(Modified) Tech-Free Days: March 14-16
We realize that the current generation depends and thrives on technology and that our school's mission was developed around new and innovative ways to incorporate appropriate use of technology in our classrooms. Yet, research has shown that taking a "break" from technology and developing a great awareness around the potential downsides, can greatly benefit students in the future.

We realize that it is unrealistic for us to be completely tech free at Lab; and so, our plan is for every department to identify five commitments that they will make to reduce tech use during these three days. Families are encouraged to take a "break" from technology at home during these days, as well. Our goal is that we will all find new and creative ways to communicate and connect with our students during this time. You may want to get additional inspiration by reading these two articles about the impact that technology has had on today's society:  

• The Flight from Conversation
• Things Apple's iPhone Helped Destroy

Vision Board Contest/Advisory: March 19-23
Each advisory will create a specific Wellness Vision Board by March 23. This board will encourage each advisory to think of creative ways to think about wellness as individuals and as a group. The following week, the Wellness Team will review all vision boards and decide who has won the wellness contest. There will be a wellness basket for the winning advisory in Lower School and Middle School. 

​Wellness Week: 3/19-3/23
During this week, we will have various local organizations and farms donating fresh food for our students to try during their lunch periods. We also will have speakers come in to talk to our students about different wellness themes. Each day, advisories will spend time focusing on a different theme that represents a different types of wellness. Our team, including author Brett Blumenthal, will work together to create daily wellness tips for our teachers to use during our morning meetings and advisory time.

​Here are the themes for Wellness Week:

• Day 1: Nutrition
• Day 2: Movement (Physical Wellness)
• Day 3: Environmental Wellness
• Day 4: Self Care-Relationships/Friendships
• Day 5: Mindfulness (Brain Research)/Stress Management

We hope that our entire Lab community will embrace and enjoy these various events and themes throughout the month.

Kind Regards,
Meegan and the Lab Wellness Team