From the Principal's Desk
February Update: Highlights from January
Last month was an exciting time for our school community, with several clubs and teams achieving remarkable milestones!
Lego Robotics Club: Our Lego Robotics Club performed exceptionally well at their recent competition. They utilized live library resources to research challenges related to ocean exploration, which greatly informed their innovation project. The students applied their findings creatively, showcasing their problem-solving skills and teamwork.
Math Team: The Math Team continues to shine and is currently in first place as we approach the final competition on February 11. Their dedication and hard work have truly paid off, and we wish them the best of luck in their upcoming challenge!
Winter Sports: The winter 2 season kicked off with enthusiasm as the Modified Boys Basketball and Modified Swimming teams began their practices. We look forward to seeing their progress and supporting them throughout the season.
Fresh Connections Club: The Fresh Connections Club has been buzzing with energy and creativity! Students have been experimenting with fresh fruits and vegetables, learning about the benefits of healthy eating through delicious juices. Additionally, they engaged in a fun craft project, making citrus-inspired magnets adorned with positive messages to spread cheer.
Overall, January was a month filled with achievement, creativity, and collaboration. We’re excited to see what February has in store for our students!
Paul Clark
Counselling Corner
Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are two of the most common mental health issues that young people struggle with today. Here's what you need to know.
What are stress and anxiety?
Stress is your body's reaction to change, demands, and/or difficult situations. When people feel stressed they may feel overwhelmed, have trouble sleeping, and have physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomachaches.
Anxiety is a reaction to events that are frightening or stressful. People who have persistent or long-lasting anxiety often feel nervous or on edge-and worry about what has happened or will happen.
Preventing stress and anxiety completely is impossible, but you can work on improving your mental health so that you feel stronger and more confident-and better able to manage these difficult emotions.
What can you do to feel better?
When you feel stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, having strategies to deal with these emotions is key to protecting and maintaining your mental health. Doing the following can help you feel better-and best of all, you can do them anywhere, any time. Try them and see what works best for you!
Move your body
Take a run or brisk walk, kick a ball around, shoot hoops, or go for a hike. Physical activity helps you release negative feelings and pent-up stress.
Breathe deeply
Close your eyes and relax all of your muscles. Take a deep breath, blowing away any negative emotions.
Have an object that centers you
A centering object (such as a stress ball, necklace, or stone) that you can touch, hold, and focus your energy on when you want to feel calm.
Try meditation
Sit in a quiet space with your eyes closed. Relax your muscles and focus on your breathing, You can also try guided meditation, where a voice helps you relax your body and focus your thoughts.
Social Media Information & Tips for Parents
While there are many benefits to social media, there are also many risks. Here's what you need to know to make sure your child stays smart and safe.
The impacts of social media
While social media can provide connection, information, and self-expression, it has been shown to have some negative impacts on young people, especially with regard to their mental health. Excessive use of social media can also contribute to tech addiction and avoidance of real-life activities.
Shorter attention spans
Bouncing around between different posts, videos, and apps makes it difficult to focus on tasks and see them through to completion.
Lack of interpersonal skills
Being behind a screen instead of interacting with others affects a young person's ability to learn how to navigate relationships and everyday social situations.
Comparison and self-esteem
Constant exposure to selected snippets of other people's lives and seeing filtered images of people on social media can lead young people to compare themselves and their lives with others. This can contribute to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and increased anxiety.
What can you do?
Talk to your child about their tech use, set boundaries, designate technology-free times, and remind your child that their activities, experiences, and relationships in the real world are the things that truly define their health and happiness.
TIES Together Including Every Student Meet and Greet Event!
Join Us for the TIES Bingo Game Meet & Greet!
🌟 When: Wednesday, February 12th, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
🌟 Where: Attica High School Library
Who’s Invited?
🔹 TIES Participants
🔹 Families
🔹 TIES Volunteers
🔹 Anyone interested in the TIES program
Why You Should Join Us:
🎫 Play Bingo and have fun!
👫 Meet new friends and connect with others.
🔧 Learn more about the TIES program and how it fosters inclusion.
👤 Get answers to your questions in a friendly, relaxed setting.
🙌 All are welcome! 🙌
Don’t miss out on this exciting chance to hang out, have fun, and be part of something amazing. We can’t wait to see you there!
Jennifer Rautenstrauch, Attica CSD TIES Coordinator