HOW DO YOU MANAGE STRESS?

By: Julian Flores Gomez, Mahider Getachew, Sidra Nuri

Edited by: Sidra Nuri, Shawn Chu

Posted at 3:00 pm PDT, March 7th, 2025

In our health class at ISB, we learned about stress and its impact on our well-being, which inspired us to ask, "How does ISB manage stress?" Stress is your body'a natural response to challenges, often caused by external pressures or internal concerns. It can affect us both physically and emotionally, influencing our health and productivity. Understanding how to manage stress is essential for maintaining balance and resilience in daily life.

During our interviews, we learned about a variety of ways that members of the ISB community manage stress. Megha and Anamika, both 10th graders, find that physical activities like walking and exercising help them stay grounded and cope with stress. Senior Anthony shared some valuable advice, suggesting that breaking down assignments and tackling them one by one can prevent feelings of being overwhelmed. Ms. Hawks, our art teacher, turns to dancing as a way to unwind and relieve tension. Mr. Milburn, who exercises 4-5 times a week, also enjoys going to concerts with his friends, which helps him recharge and de-stress. ISB Principal Mr. Gilford finds stress relief by visiting middle school art classrooms, where he enjoys seeing the creative work students are doing. Finally, Ms. Schuff, our IB Psychology teacher, makes time for walks with her dog, regardless of the weather. This daily routine gives her a chance to step away from her work and take a break, which she finds incredibly refreshing. All these various tecnhniques on how to manage stress, allows students and staff to take a break and re-charge to work even harder.

Healthy ways you can manage stress, just like the ISB Dragons, include staying active with activities like walking or exercising, which help release tension and boost your mood. Practicing mindfulness through deep breathing or meditation can calm your mind and reduce anxiety. Taking regular breaks and engaging in hobbies or creative outlets offers a mental reset, while connecting with friends and family provides valuable emotional support. Additionally, breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps and managing your time effectively can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed. By adopting these healthy habits, you can build resilience and navigate stress with confidence, just like an ISB Dragon!

RED CARD DISTRIBUTION

In a proactive effort to protect families' rights and raise awareness of constitutional protections, members of the NHS and LatinX communities launched a volunteer initiative to distribute red cards to students and families. The red card idistribution took place on Monday, March 3rd, after school from 3:05 to 3:30 pm. This initiative is designed to provide vital information and support for individuals facing rising concerns over immigration enforcement across the United States.The red cards serve as a tool to remind families of their rights under the U.S. Constitution, particularly in the event that ICE agents attempt to enter their homes or gather personal information. The cards include crucial information about the legal rights families have when confronted by authorities, helping them assert their protections in various situations. “The purpose of these red cards is to ensure that our community members are prepared and know their rights, especially as tensions around immigration policies remain high,” said one of the event organizers. "By distributing these cards, we hope to empower families with knowledge, helping them stay safe and protect their rights.” At ISB, the initiative emphasizes that the school has a legal right to refuse entry to ICE agents and prevent them from collecting any student information without consent. This measure is crucial in ensuring that students and their families remain protected within the school environment. It is important to note that this volunteer-driven initiative is independent of official school district activities. It is not associated with or endorsed by ISB staff or BSD. The initiative highlights an issue that NHS and LatinX members believe is vital to the safety of their community.

For additional resources, families can visit the Beaverton School District's official website to learn more about supporting immigrant and refugee students and families: https://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/departments/teaching-learning/equity-inclusion/supporting-immigrant-refugee-students-and-families

If you need a red card, please feel free to refer to Mr. Ramizer's office or the student resources center in C-hall.