From pickleball to football, and learning what it takes to become a lifeguard, it looked like it was all fun and games at Cooperative Middle School in Stratham. But on this special day, students learned a vital lesson, one that will benefit their health and well-being. Eighth-grader Javier Beltre loves Health and Wellness Day.”It’s such a great day for students to not be on their phones, and just like, go outside and, like, have some fun,” Javier said. “Better for our mental health because there’s like studies that show like, getting outside is better for your mental health.”Teachers Kelly Moss and Kelly O’Neill co-founded Health and Wellness Day.“We were noticing that our students were spending a lot more time playing video games on devices. Cellphones were really becoming a bigger thing, and, we were like, ‘We need to do something so that they’re disconnected in order to re-connect,'” Moss said. Moss and O’Neill organize the entire day, including scheduling 900 students, 150 staff and faculty, and setting up the various activities.”We had 72 different workshops happening throughout the day, from outdoor activities to quiet, like silent reading or creative writing. So, we try to make sure that we cover all areas of wellness, plus offer variety, and give students as much choice as possible. So that really does help,” O’Neill said. Mother Nature was on their side this year, making for a perfect day for outdoor sports. The University of New Hampshire is a big supporter of Health and Wellness Day. Members of the Wildcats football team hit the field with students to play flag football. The new UNH STEM Mobile rolled into the parking lot for the first time, allowing kids to learn about science in a hands-on environment.From science to spiritual, students took part in a cleansing ritual of sorts. They illustrated things they disliked, then tossed them into the fire. It’s meant to clear away negativity, but just because they dislike something, that doesn’t mean the fire will truly make it go away, as sixth-grader Kendall Carella found out.”I made things I don’t like, so, I like wrote down school, because I don’t like school: math, science, social studies, ELA, health, computer,” Kendall said, who told “New Hampshire Chronicle” the process made her feel good. Health and Wellness Day isn’t just for kids to clear their heads. The teachers, like counselor Lisa Sloan, welcome this break from their daily schedules.”I think middle school can be awkward for everybody and letting them try all these different things that are really outside the typical curriculum is huge and I think a big part of why this is a good community,” Sloan said.Students had an incredible time learning from the top lifeguards at Hampton Beach. New Hampshire State Beach Patrol Chief Pat Murphy taught them about the key life-saving tools that are essential for their job.”We do mock rescues. We do rescue reels. We pull them around the gym,” Murphy said. “We don’t have the water here, so we do as much as we can to make it real as we can.” Murphy attended Cooperative Middle School and has been a part of Health and Wellness Day since the beginning.”The ultimate goal is teaching kids about ocean safety,” Murphy said. “We live so close to the ocean and so many people might not know exactly what a rip current is.” Students, like Lauryn Hebel, enjoy the sports activities the most, but the goal of Health and Wellness Day is to have the students choose what they enjoy.”I feel like it brings the teachers joy to see everyone have so much fun. In my experience, I’ve had a lot of fun with Wellness Day,” Lauryn said. “It’s a good environment for me.” In further proof that Health and Wellness Day is not just for the kids, a trio of teachers who don’t even teach art embraced the theme of “The Joy of Painting,” inspired by American painter Bob Ross, known for his PBS show by the same name. Ross was famous for his curly hair, and these teachers didn’t disappoint. They all wore big curly wigs and the kids loved it.”10/10 on the wigs? The wigs were a must,” one of the teachers said.Students were able to give back by making sandwiches and salads to fill Exeter’s Community Refrigerator. The fridge is open 24/7. It is available to all people in need and is located at the local Y.The kids also met a rescue puppy and learned about volunteering from the folks at Mary’s Dogs in Northwood.Archeology, CPR, arts and crafts: Students Will Larkin and Gwen Hoffmaster, all learned something new.”I learned like teamwork,” Will said. “Learning to work together, and like do all of that stuff.””I definitely loved lifeguard 101. I got to like learn about a lot, and what they do,” Gwen said. “We learned some CPR basics and just, like, some really fun stuff.”Organizers hope other schools will take notice and hold their own Health and Wellness Day.
From pickleball to football, and learning what it takes to become a lifeguard, it looked like it was all fun and games at Cooperative Middle School in Stratham. But on this special day, students learned a vital lesson, one that will benefit their health and well-being.
Eighth-grader Javier Beltre loves Health and Wellness Day.
“It’s such a great day for students to not be on their phones, and just like, go outside and, like, have some fun,” Javier said. “Better for our mental health because there’s like studies that show like, getting outside is better for your mental health.”
Teachers Kelly Moss and Kelly O’Neill co-founded Health and Wellness Day.
“We were noticing that our students were spending a lot more time playing video games on devices. Cellphones were really becoming a bigger thing, and, we were like, ‘We need to do something so that they’re disconnected in order to re-connect,'” Moss said.
Moss and O’Neill organize the entire day, including scheduling 900 students, 150 staff and faculty, and setting up the various activities.
“We had 72 different workshops happening throughout the day, from outdoor activities to quiet, like silent reading or creative writing. So, we try to make sure that we cover all areas of wellness, plus offer variety, and give students as much choice as possible. So that really does help,” O’Neill said.
Mother Nature was on their side this year, making for a perfect day for outdoor sports.
The University of New Hampshire is a big supporter of Health and Wellness Day. Members of the Wildcats football team hit the field with students to play flag football.
The new UNH STEM Mobile rolled into the parking lot for the first time, allowing kids to learn about science in a hands-on environment.
From science to spiritual, students took part in a cleansing ritual of sorts. They illustrated things they disliked, then tossed them into the fire. It’s meant to clear away negativity, but just because they dislike something, that doesn’t mean the fire will truly make it go away, as sixth-grader Kendall Carella found out.
“I made things I don’t like, so, I like wrote down school, because I don’t like school: math, science, social studies, ELA, health, computer,” Kendall said, who told “New Hampshire Chronicle” the process made her feel good.
Health and Wellness Day isn’t just for kids to clear their heads. The teachers, like counselor Lisa Sloan, welcome this break from their daily schedules.
“I think middle school can be awkward for everybody and letting them try all these different things that are really outside the typical curriculum is huge and I think a big part of why this is a good community,” Sloan said.
Students had an incredible time learning from the top lifeguards at Hampton Beach. New Hampshire State Beach Patrol Chief Pat Murphy taught them about the key life-saving tools that are essential for their job.
“We do mock rescues. We do rescue reels. We pull them around the gym,” Murphy said. “We don’t have the water here, so we do as much as we can to make it real as we can.”
Murphy attended Cooperative Middle School and has been a part of Health and Wellness Day since the beginning.
“The ultimate goal is teaching kids about ocean safety,” Murphy said. “We live so close to the ocean and so many people might not know exactly what a rip current is.”
Students, like Lauryn Hebel, enjoy the sports activities the most, but the goal of Health and Wellness Day is to have the students choose what they enjoy.
“I feel like it brings the teachers joy to see everyone have so much fun. In my experience, I’ve had a lot of fun with Wellness Day,” Lauryn said. “It’s a good environment for me.”
In further proof that Health and Wellness Day is not just for the kids, a trio of teachers who don’t even teach art embraced the theme of “The Joy of Painting,” inspired by American painter Bob Ross, known for his PBS show by the same name. Ross was famous for his curly hair, and these teachers didn’t disappoint. They all wore big curly wigs and the kids loved it.
“10/10 on the wigs? The wigs were a must,” one of the teachers said.
Students were able to give back by making sandwiches and salads to fill Exeter’s Community Refrigerator. The fridge is open 24/7. It is available to all people in need and is located at the local Y.
The kids also met a rescue puppy and learned about volunteering from the folks at Mary’s Dogs in Northwood.
Archeology, CPR, arts and crafts: Students Will Larkin and Gwen Hoffmaster, all learned something new.
“I learned like teamwork,” Will said. “Learning to work together, and like do all of that stuff.”
“I definitely loved lifeguard 101. I got to like learn about a lot, and what they do,” Gwen said. “We learned some CPR basics and just, like, some really fun stuff.”
Organizers hope other schools will take notice and hold their own Health and Wellness Day.
