Winter Wellness Day 2024
Session Options for 9th and 10th Grade
Photography and Wellness, Chris Caselli, SSES Photography Teacher
While selfies have become ubiquitous, the self-portrait has a long history of being a means of exploration and self-reflection as artists have considered how they would present different aspects of their identities to themselves and the world. In this workshop we will look at and discuss famous self-portraits and, hopefully, find inspiration for how we might use art to think about our multifaceted selves.
Music and Wellness, Andrew Dobos, SSES Percussion Director and Apollo Director
Music can have a transformative power and provide a venue to not only shape our personal and cultural identities but also be fundamental in managing our emotions (as recent research suggests). We will explore the connection of music and wellness through this interactive workshop.
Creative Writing: Self-Discovery Through Writing, Andy Aceves, SSES English teacher
Join English teacher Mr. Aceves for a guided creative writing exercise designed to help you explore and express your beliefs through detailed, sensory language. This program is for all levels of writers. No previous creative writing experience is required.
Zen and the Art of Drawing, Michelle Avery, SSES US/MS Visual Arts
Join this creative workshop with St. Stephen’s art teacher Ms. Avery, who will guide you through the Zentangle Method. The Zentangle Method naturally reduces stress and anxiety, increases brain function, develops focus and mindfulness, and increases a sense of personal well-being. Art is a means of self-expression and self-exploration, so join us to develop our own daily creative practice.
Be Bold ™: Live Brave. Be Original. Love big. Dare greatly, Kelly Coulter, licensed professional counselor
Kelly Coulter, licensed professional counselor, will be exploring how to be BOLD ™ : Live Brave. Be Original. Love big. Dare greatly. You will learn how to ask for what you need, speak your truth, set boundaries, and reach out for support when needed. You can be courageous and bold in your daily life with friends, family, and yourself. There will be an interactive, hands-on activity.
Improv and Wellness: Shifting Mindsets with "Yes and", Jeremy Sweetlamb, SSES Dir. Middle School Theatre
"Yes and" is not only an essential building block of improvised theater. Join Mr. Sweetlamb in seeing how this mindset can help us change our way of thinking entirely. The spirit of the phrase encourages our brain to be positive and to come to a collaboration ready to hear others' ideas and add our own input. In this way, we open up our vulnerabilities while increasing our trust in each other. This is the quickest way to healthy self expression and productive teamwork. Come to this session dressed to move and with an open mind!
Student-Athlete Mindset: developing your personal best- a panel of SSES coaches: Jay Patterson, SSES US Fitness Coach and Admin. Chris Breckwoldt, Asst AD, ?Chelsea Richards, Asst AD?Mr. Andy Lopez, SSES Girls & MS Soccer Program Dir.
Interested in finding a sense of balance in studies and sports, team and individual goals, hard work and smart work, and hopes and realities? It’s hard to know where your upper school student-athlete experience will take you. Hear panelists discuss strategies for practicing and pursuing your personal best and balance in school and sport.
Yoga: Finding Balance, Morgan Stokes, SSES Lay Chaplain & Kassie Kelly, SSES Dance Teacher
Yoga has the power to calm our mind and strengthen our body. Ms. Stokes and Ms. Kelly have taught yoga in our school community for many years. In this workshop they will guide you through basic movements and poses to help you find balance, stay in the moment, and connect with your strength.
Outdoor Mindfulness, Charlton Perry, SSES Dir. Outdoor Education and Science teachers Dean Mohlman and Kathy McCain
Spending time in nature allows us to nurture our mind and connect to the moment. Taking a walk outdoors, hiking or just being exposed to the outdoors has shown to bring a number of benefits, including improved attention, lower stress, better mood, and increased cooperation and connection with others. In this workshop you will have an opportunity to connect with our campus land as you are guided by the facilitators.
A Brief Introduction to Wilderness Medicine, Nick Schultz, SSES nurse
Join Mr. Schultz to discuss the principal differences of urban medicine versus wilderness medicine. We will talk about how to plan and care for injury and illness in a wilderness environment and how that differs from an urban setting. If you enjoy hiking, camping, or just generally getting off the grid, this discussion is for you!
CPR Certification
Heartsaver® CPR AED is a classroom, instructor-led course that teaches adult CPR and AED use, as well as how to relieve choking on an adult. This course teaches skills with AHA’s research-proven Practice-While-Watching (PWW) technique, which allows instructors to observe the students, provide feedback and guide the students’ learning of skills.
*** Please note that this session will be longer and you will miss 5th period lunch. We will provide you with some extra time to eat***
Nutrition Trends: A Discussion, Laura Torres RDN, LD, CEDS
This workshop is all about figuring out what healthy eating looks like for you. There is a lot of information out there about nutrition and diets. Come learn some basic guidelines for healthy eating, and how to know if a new diet may not be for you. This will be relevant for everyone, from the foodie to the athlete, to anyone who may feel confused about nutrition. Laura Torres RDN, LD, CEDS is a registered dietitian and eating disorder specialist in Austin, TX. She has a private practice where she works with people of all ages on improving their relationship with food and body image.
Let's Talk Gender, Sexuality, and Allyship: A conversation, Brooke Becker, LMFT-A
Join SSES alum, Brooke Becker, in a workshop which will examine aspects of healthy sexuality and sexual wellness that are based on shame-free, research-based principles. Together we will explore the impact of heterosexism and cisnormativity and discover that being queer is actually a superpower. Let's break free from imposed labels and social scripts and instead celebrate sexuality and gender expression that is authentic to us. This workshop is for anyone who considers themselves an ally, who wants to learn about gender and sexual diversity, and for any one who feels restricted by socially imposed expectations of their identity.