WCDSB Community News Magazine Spring 2012 - Wellington ...

Healthy Schools
“Let justice flow like a river” Amos 5:24
RELAXation STATION 101:
“There is a very important link between what you think,
how you feel, and what you do,” says Nicole Raftis,
creator and facilitator of the RELAXation STATION 101
program.
“Thoughts can be understood as our control centre
because our thoughts control the way we feel and
behave. If we think in positive and helpful ways, we
typically feel hopeful or happy. However, if we think in
negative or unhelpful ways, we tend to feel hopeless,
unhappy, sad or angry,” she continues.
What if every student had the chance to learn that they
have the power to choose their thoughts How might
they be better prepared for life
What if they learned how physical activity and a
balance of work, rest and play affects their physical
and mental health
What if they were given the tools to use meditation and
prayer as a way to connect to their inner guidance
And what if the power of giving was explained both as
a way to heal the world and as a way to heal the self
These are the lessons incorporated in the pilot program
RELAXation STATION 101. The Grade 4 and 5
students and their teachers from St. Ignatius of Loyola
School have had the opportunity to experience this
4-session pilot program. Their feedback has been
exceedingly positive.
Students received a RELAXation STATION tool bag.
Teachers were also given the resources necessary
to further integrate the ideas into experiences in the
Grade 12 Leadership Class
students from St. James developed
a campaign for their school
community around the need to
stop the privatization of water, to
recognize the right to water and to
provide awareness for alternatives to
bottled water.
Letters were sent to all St. James
family households, an article was
placed in their school newsletter
and a power point presentation
was created and shown to every
homeroom class from grade 9 -12.
As part of the campaign, re-useable
water bottles were distributed to
students and water spouts were
added to the drinking fountains at
the school. From left: Megan Kliese,
Colin Malone, Victoria Walsh, Kyrie
Meyer and Cameron Kennedy.
Giving students and teachers
the tools for wellness
classroom. Zumba and yoga demonstrations were
popular components.
An earlier version of the program was used by
Nicole at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario to
introduce children and teens to coping and resiliency
strategies that promote mental health and wellness.
To learn more contact: Nicole Raftis at
nicoleraftis@gmail.com
Wellington Catholic Community News Magazine 7