Dafne grabbed me at the fruit & cracker service after assembly and insisted that I capture her image in this moment of intense academic stress. This struck me as odd, in light of the fact that the weekend had just ended, so any student should be relatively current with schoolwork. She pointed out that the weekend included the Semi-formal Dance, and I proceeded to take her picture without further comment.
The topic of stress experienced by teenagers deserves all the attention it receives. I believe we all agree that moderate stress--the product of high expectations and our desire to achieve--is healthy and possibly sustainable.
As we approach the final weeks of the school year, the topic of stress deserves attention because it comes at many levels: the academic, social and the obvious emotional.
From my perspective, it appears that the approximately 300 students (on campus) I see are dealing with stress on a predictable continuum. I recall ninth grade as the most emotionally trying of times, yet these students are nailing a circular discussion and debate.
And pond ecology has got to be a fun project.
Alan discusses scheduling options during advisory.
Not everyone is coping as well. Cheka and Kelcey got in to a bit of a tiff before the start of algebra 1.....
You might hope that two delightful kids could keep it together (when arguing about a computer game....) but no. Kelcey snapped, an obvious victim of stress:
You might expect juniors and seniors to evidence greater stress, and--to an extent--that is very true. Seniors are dealing with the transition of graduation...of becoming alumni/ae. These guys are coping as best they can....
After a year of work, Evan launched his lovely dory today. It doesn't have oarlocks yet, so he paddles. He's barefoot with pants rolled up because dry hulls leak!
Zoli and Matty--who have plenty of reasons to feel pressure--are coping very well!
If we feel stress about anything, it should be Sam's first spin in his ultra-light hydroplane, that will be powered by 35-horse outboard!
