Middle schoolers wind down school year with new tools for stress management

POST FALLS — At the beginning of May, River City Middle School's Titan Leadership Team selected stress management as their focus.

Team members conducted exercises and engaged their classmates through games, lessons and peer-to-peer educational opportunities. Later in the month, they learned practical ways to implement stress management into their lives.

As part of the programming, eighth grade teacher Janey Ortega organized a schoolwide wellness afternoon Wednesday, during which students could participate in different activities. Teachers signed up to lead the activities and participate with the students.

"This was a good opportunity for the students to be introduced to some possibly new activities which they can use to help reduce stress in the future," English and leadership teacher Ryan Heasty said.

Eighth grader Jade Laos enjoyed spending time outside in the sun.

"In the future when I am feeling stressed it will be good to remember that a few minutes outside doing a hobby I enjoy can help give my mind a break," Jade said.

Seventh grader Levi Day also went outside, but he played spikeball.

"Doing some form of physical activity is a good way for me to relieve some of my stress," he said.

Olivia Myers said she enjoyed the wellness afternoon because it was fun to spend time with her friends.

"It was a good break from school, because school can be stressful sometimes," she said.

As well as the wellness event promoted the May focus, Ortega said it was also a celebration of students' hard work on the Idaho Standards Achievement Tests.

    Titus Wise, eighth grade, and Dale Bunke Jr., seventh grade, play foursquare Wednesday during River City Middle School's Wellness Day.
  

    Seventh graders Nevaeh Mitchell, left, and Kenzie Dolan play bingo Wednesday at River City Middle School as part of the Wellness Day activities.