This year, Rocky Run Middle School hosted a successful Stress Less, Laugh More week for their students! Their daily agenda included a variety of stress-relieving efforts, like replacing their bells with a fun song or including inspiring quotes in the morning announcements; there were also activities everyday in the cafeteria so all students could get a chance to participate:
Meditation Monday
- Bell song: “Happy” by Pharrell
- Morning announcements: “Happiness is a direction, not a place.” – Sydney J. Harris
- Cafeteria activity: Stress-O-Meter poster
Talk About It Tuesday
- Bell song: “I’ll Be There For You” by The Rembrandts (Friends theme song)
- Morning announcements: “The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.” – Mark Twain
- Cafeteria activity: “Who’s your Go-to Person?” poster, with candy to encourage student participation
Witty Wednesday
- Bell song: “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
- Morning announcements: “Life is better when you’re laughing.”
- Benefits of Laughter poster for each classroom
- Cafeteria activity: Photobooth with props
Tranquil Thursday
- Bell song: “Let It Be” by The Beatles
- Morning announcements: “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”
- Cafeteria activity: Photobooth with props, continued
- John Halligan presentation for students
- Kids were encouraged to wear comfy clothes, sweats, etc.
Feel Fine Friday
- Bell song: “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors
- Morning announcements: “We tend to forget that happiness does not come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” – Frederick Koenig
- Cafeteria activity: I AM Self-Affirmations posters, promoting positive messages, and candy
- Stress Less, Laugh More WROK (Rocky Run’s video production class) news show with skits on stressing less