Having trouble with friends… stressed about an upcoming test... generally feeling anxious… just to say hi... or grab some candy! Those are only some of the many reasons why students might visit Upper School Counselors Jane Knoche and Anneliese Kranz.
“We want to "normalize" going to see a counselor for all types of support,” said Kranz. “That way, students don't think seeing a counselor is only for helpful for someone who is experiencing ‘issues.’" We want to "normalize" going to see a counselor for all types of support.
Anneliese Kranz, upper school counselor
Knoche and Kranz, both new to Latin themselves, spent a significant amount of time this school year running events for upper school students, especially the ninth grade class, to help support their mental health and wellness and provide bonding time for students to get to know each other.
“Half of the ninth grade students are new and all of them are coming out of a remote learning year, so offering activities like Cocoa and Cookies and the Scavenger Hunt give them opportunities to bond with each other and get to know us,” said Knoche.
At Cocoa and Cookies, each ninth grade student got some hot cocoa and freshly baked cookies and received a personal handwritten note from Knoche that included a motivational message.
A couple of weeks later, students teamed up with their advisories and participated in a ninth grade scavenger hunt around the city. Below are some of the clues and challenges students were tasked with. However, it’s much more fun to see them in action: check out this slideshow of photos and videos from the day!
- A picture of your advisory doing headstands
- A picture of your advisory in front of Twin Anchors
- A video of one advisory member juggling while everyone else cheers them on
- A video of your advisory singing the Latin Fight Song
- A picture of your advisory doing the downward dog yoga pose in front of the Chicago History Museum
- A video of your advisory saying "Four score and seven years ago" in front of the Abraham Lincoln statue
- A video of someone in your advisory telling a joke in front of Second City and the rest of your advisory laughing (bonus points for how funny the video is)
- A picture of the "Class of 2025" written in M&Ms
Affective Education class in the upper school is another way for students, especially ninth graders, to get to know the counselors in a different setting. In the counseling and mental health unit of ninth grade affective ed, upper school counselors explore the following important topics with students: stress and anxiety management; depression and suicide awareness/prevention; substance use/abuse; and healthy and unhealthy relationships. Throughout the course, students engage in relevant group discussions and activities regarding these most prevalent and relevant mental health issues facing teenagers. Additionally, during each class, students learn and practice a new coping skill/strategy, helping them to gain the necessary tools to navigate these issues if/when they arise.
Knoche and Kranz have other activities for students planned throughout the year to help build class comradery and bond with each other.
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