Wayland-Cohocton High School
December 2020 News and Notes
Wayland-Cohocton's Generous Spirit Shines!
Our school and community members showed their generosity over the past month. We were able to provide 25 complete Christmas ham dinners and over 50 boxes of food to support families over Christmas break. In addition, our community was able to provide 266 children from 93 families Christmas gifts. That is something to be proud of!
Sierra Bowers
High School Music Student of the Month
Jack Mulford
Jack Mulford is an amazing Saxophone player and fine musician. Jack also plays guitar and even the keyboard. Jack has a very theoretical mind when it comes to music so CCC Fundamentals of Music has been easy for him. Jack will be going on to take College Music Theory next semester as well. Jack has participated in NYSSMA sanctioned Solo Festivals and in the All-County Band multiple times even earning first chair saxophone for the All-County Jazz Band.
Jack is a senior this year and we are very proud of his dedication to his music education. Thank you Jack!
Anna Ammarell
Trevor Donlon
Trevor Donlon is a performance pro. Trevor performs gigs out in the community singing and playing his guitar. He runs his own business, books places to perform, and some lucky staff members got to enjoy his music on a beautiful October day. Trevor loves to compose his own music and during the long quarantine he taught himself how to play the keyboard.
Trevor is learning even more about music by taking the Corning Community College Fundamentals of Music Class this semester and College Music Theory second semester. Keep following your passion Trevor!
Preston Price
Marissa Abbott
High School Music Student of the Month
Sarah Hoppough
Sarah Hoppough is another very dedicated Band student that plays Alto Saxophone. Sarah spends a lot of time in the Band room practicing and is the Band Music Librarian. Sarah pulls out and files the music throughout the year which is a huge task and she is very much appreciated for doing this job.
Sarah, a senior this year, is looking to go into Music and is already practicing for her college auditions. We wish you all the best Sarah.
December Athlete of the Month: Tyler Jordan
Stress Management and Teens
Teenagers, like adults, may experience stress every day and can benefit from learning stress management skills. Most teens experience more stress when they perceive a situation as dangerous, difficult, or painful and they do not have the resources to cope. Some sources of stress for teens include:
- School demands and frustrations
- Negative thoughts or feelings about themselves
- Changes in their bodies
- Problems with friends and/or peers at school
- Unsafe living environment/neighborhood
- Separation or divorce of parents
- Chronic illness or severe problems in the family
- Death of a loved one
- Moving or changing schools
- Taking on too many activities or having too high expectations
- Family financial problems
Some teens become overloaded with stress. When this happens, it can lead to anxiety, withdrawal, aggression, physical illness, or poor coping skills such as drug and/or alcohol use.
When we perceive a situation as difficult or painful, changes occur in our minds and bodies to prepare us to respond to danger. This “fight, flight, or freeze” response includes faster heart and breathing rate, increased blood to muscles of arms and legs, cold or clammy hands and feet, upset stomach and/or a sense of dread.
The same mechanism that turns on the stress response can turn it off. As soon as we decide that a situation is no longer dangerous, changes can occur in our minds and bodies to help us relax and calm down. This “relaxation response” includes decreased heart and breathing rate and a sense of well-being. Teens that develop a “relaxation response” and other stress management skills feel less helpless and have more choices when responding to stress.
Parents can help their teen in following ways:
- Monitor if stress is affecting their teen's health, behavior, thoughts, or feelings
- Listen carefully to teens and watch for overloading
- Learn and model stress management skills
- Support involvement in sports and other pro-social activities
Teens can decrease stress with the following behaviors and techniques:
- Exercise and eat regularly.
- Get enough sleep and have a good sleep routine.
- Avoid excess caffeine which can increase feelings of anxiety and agitation.
- Avoid illegal drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.
- Learn relaxation exercises (abdominal breathing and muscle relaxation techniques).
- Develop assertiveness training skills. For example, state feelings in polite, firm, and not overly aggressive or passive ways: ("I feel angry when you yell at me.” "Please stop yelling.”)
- Rehearse and practice situations which cause stress. One example is taking a speech class if talking in front of a class makes you anxious.
- Learn practical coping skills. For example, break a large task into smaller, more attainable tasks.
- Decrease negative self-talk: challenge negative thoughts - with alternative, neutral, or positive thoughts. "My life will never get better” can be transformed into "I may feel hopeless now, but my life will probably get better if I work at it and get some help.”
- Learn to feel good about doing a competent or "good enough” job rather than demanding perfection from yourself and others.
- Take a break from stressful situations. Activities like listening to music, talking to a friend, drawing, writing, or spending time with a pet can reduce stress.
- Build a network of friends who help you cope in a positive way.
By using these and other techniques, teenagers can begin to manage stress. If a teen talks about or shows signs of being overly stressed, a consultation with a child and adolescent psychiatrist or other qualified mental health professional may be helpful.
Wayland-Cohocton High School
Email: joliver@wccsk12.org
Website: www.wccsk12.org
Location: 2350 New York 63, Wayland, NY, USA
Phone: 585-728-2366