News and Events

On May 4, our Rochelle Park campus hosted a presentation called “Cultivating a Supportive Environment for Students With Anxiety.” Sponsored by The School Culture and Climate Initiative, the presentation discussed how, similar to plant life, students require nurturing environmental conditions in order to grow and thrive. The goal was to explain how students should work with their anxiety, not against it. With the proper factors in place, such as culture, connection, and curiosity, students can manage their anxiety. 

The presentation showcased four pillars to help participants in working with anxiety: 

• Understand anxiety and embrace its value 

• Recognize attributes of school culture that impact anxiety 

• Identify opportunities to promote joy, connection, and wellness for students and staff 

• Learn practical strategies that support students’ feeling of safety and confidence 

After the presentation had concluded, participants were asked to complete a survey, which asked the question, “What was the most helpful/interesting/important point you gained from the presentation?" Some of the responses included, “I loved the emphasis on promoting positive relations with teacher staff [stakeholders]; also, self-care!” and, “The information on how to guide teachers in management of student anxiety.”  

The presentation left an impact on those who have a child with anxiety and showed them how to move forward. When asked about the importance of events such as this, Corie Stone, Director of Curriculum and Instruction said, “As we all have seen over the past few years, anxiety continues to be a significant area of concern for an increasing number of students. We hope this workshop will provide participants with an understanding of how anxiety may present itself in school and what we, as educators, can do to support students and each other through creating more joyful, connected, and supportive environments.”