Wednesday, December 15, 2021
It's Wellness Wednesday! This week our Tip is: To Make a Cope Ahead Plan for December Break! With December break fast approaching, maybe you are having some strong feelings about it. Maybe you are looking forward to it or maybe you are dreading it or maybe you are feeling somewhere in between. However you are feeling, it is helpful to make a cope ahead plan to have in place!
What is a Cope Ahead Plan? It is a plan that you can use to think through with actions how to tackle something that's upcoming. Things like tests, hard conversations, stressful events can be managed smoother by taking the time to make a cope ahead plan.. It is specific to knowing what works best for you in those hard moments and identifying different support systems you have in place.
To Make your own Cope Ahead plan:
Identify some things that you are looking forward to over break: Any fun activities, or events, sleeping in, catching up on some of your favorite shows, spending more time with your pet? These can anchor your plan. Be sure to put some in- big or small!
Identify and notice what might cause you stress over break: What situations cause you stress? Rate those stressful situations on a scale of 0-10 so you can identify what skills to use in those times.
Recognize and notice some good ways to distract yourself: Both internal and external coping strategies. This can include relaxation techniques, art activities, physical activities, reading a book, playing an instrument, listening to music, cuddling with your pet, or watching your favorite tv show.
Reflect on ways to help you process your feelings: This might include making a feeling/mood journal, venting feelings to a safe person, making a gratitude list, drawing how you feel, crying
Identify ways to keep yourself and your space safe
Identify 1-2 safe and supportive people you can reach out to over break
Identify Professionals or other resources you can use to get yourself support and help during a crisis. This includes:
Local Emergency Services (Clinical & Support Options-CSO): 413-586-5555
Suicide Prevention Lifeline (24hr support): 800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line (24hr support teen crisis): text “HOME” to 741741
Trevor Project (LGBTQ): 866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678-678
Reach out to a trusted adult here at school for help in making one!
- Junior Life After ARHS - Miss Cuffee-Gray is coming your way to start talking Life After ARHS. Juniors in English class will have a brief introduction to the Life After ARHS process here. If you are a junior who doesn't have English this semester, you will receive an invitation to a PLUS Block session next week.Seniors - Interested In A Teaching Career?Contact Ms. Cuffee-Gray about a possible internship in a K-8 classroom.College Application Work During Winter Break -Hello Seniors the Guidance Office will be shut tight during winter break. Help us help you! Please be proactive and use the help and support from the folks in the Guidance Office while we are in school.
IT'S TIME FOR THE MUSICAL! Every ARHS student should consider joining the cast or crew of the musical before you graduate! AUDITIONS for this year's Tony Award-winning rock musical, Hair, are this MONDAY AND TUESDAY. All details and signup info for prospective performers and backstage tech crew is at bit.ly/arhshairinfo - see Mr. Bechtold or Mr. Fruth with any questions. See you there!
The Great Jewish Books Summer Program is seeking rising high school juniors and seniors. Although the program’s focus is on reading, this is not school in any conventional sense: Great Jewish Books is a lively program full of social, cultural, and recreational opportunities—and no grades—for students who read for the love of reading and who are eager to discover the treasures of the Jewish canon. Participants spend their days at the Yiddish Book Center, immersed in a lively world of Jewish culture, and live in dorms on the nearby campus of Hampshire College. View the program activities and learn about applying here. Every admitted participant receives a scholarship for the full cost of tuition and books.
Come write for human rights during the largest letter-writing campaign in the world, Amnesty International’s Write for Rights. We’re focusing on 10 cases of Human rights activists who have faced resistance for their work. Join us December 15th at 3:45 in room 171! Snacks will be provided! Amnesty’s efforts have freed dozens of human rights defenders from prison, death row, and persecution. This event is open to everyone at ARHS, not just Amnesty members! Also join in virtually on our google classroom (code: g36hgt6). Email grybkoer@arps.org with questions.
Are you interested in working at the Jones Library? A rare pair of library shelving positions have become available in Youth Services. This job is a great entry into the world of libraries (no prior experience required!) and many students who have held this position before have continued through all of high school and even into college. Ask Ms. Stocker in the ARHS Library if you have questions or check out the application here: https://ma-
amherst.civicplushrms.com/ CareerPortal/JobDetail.aspx? RequisitionId=88704&SourceId= 4968
Still don't have a winter coat? Guidance has many coats in a variety of colors, styles, and sizes available for those in need. Stop by anytime between 7:45am and 3:45pm!
Are you looking for a job, volunteer opportunities, scholarships, or summer programs? Check out the Guidance Office's Opportunitie
s Page to find a variety of resources and opportunities!
Senior Photos should be emailed to Miss Garrity at garrityc@arps.org by January 31st! Don't want to pay a photographer? Yearbook staff are offering free senior photo shoots! Sign up for a time slot using this Google Form! https://forms.gle/
AcSBgwR3mgRzD9BYA Did you know that Amherst High School built a school in Cameroon, Africa in 2011? How? For a couple years we have fundraised many different ways to help Cameroon with their schools systems. So if you are interested in being a part of the Schools for Africa Club please come by on Today, December 15 @3:45pm in room 147. There will be snacks! Also if you have any questions about the club you can email Mme Cissé cisseo@arps.org or Ariana Texidor texidormelendeza@arps.org
EARLY DISMISSAL WEEK OF DECEMBER 13- DECEMBER 17
