students, teachers and administrators
working together, the district has
been rolling out a variety of initia-
tives aimed at reducing the likelihood
of that happening. Some have been
tried and discontinued, others work
well and are continuing, and more
are in the pipeline; nearly all could be
duplicated by other school districts.
Here are some options Millburn
students will have this year to reduce
stress while getting the most out of
their studies.
STRESS-FREE ZONES
The district has carved out spaces
where students can eek out some
quiet and comfort when they need
it. “A zen room [such as the one in
the middle school guidance suite] is
a space where kids can choose to go
just to take time to be quiet,” says
Burton. At Hartshorn Elementary
School, for example, students have
access to the “Peace Room” during
recess and also at lunch, when a
counselor chats with students during
“lunch bunch” sessions.
At Millburn High School, the
Student Center welcomes teens who
want to share what’s on their minds
with a counselor. “The kids are very
driven, and have high expectations
of themselves,” says Linda Randazza,
the school psychologist who works
full time in the suite. “We’re address-
ing the question ‘What if you fall
short of the mark you set for your-
self?’ We are trying to make students
understand that failure is a step to
success.”
Though counselors do field a lot
of concerns about academic per-
formance, she says, they also hear
“about things that are going on
socially, with relationships and fami-
lies... We talk about how to balance
activities, study, a social life, family
and ‘me time’ — time to take care of
yourself as well.”
To familiarize students with what
the center has to offer — and de-stig-
matize asking for help — counselors
host therapy dogs once a month, and
offer coffee, water and fruit during
exam periods.
ACTS OF KINDNESS (Top) Class president Jamie Serruto (center, in pink) volunteers for the
Millburn Township Beautification League along with other Millburn students; (Above) Students
post inspirational thoughts during Mental Health Awareness Month.
TOOLS FOR
DE-STRESSING IN PLACE
Yoga is offered as a physical
education option at the high school
level; at the middle school, students
can practice it at lunch. Beyond that,
“The next step we’re looking at as
a result of [recommendations by]
Challenge Success is to bring more
mindfulness into the classroom,”
says Burton.
Using research and resources
developed for New Jersey educators
by Dr. Maurice Elias, a professor
of psychology at Rutgers University
and director of its Social-Emotional
and Character Development Lab, the
district plans to train educators to
recognize when kids are stressed, and
encourage them to give them a break
to breathe deeply and relax, or go to
the Student Center for help.
MILLBURN & SHORT HILLS MAGAZINE BACK TO SCHOOL 2019
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