By Crystal Hayduk
Every staff member across the Chelsea School District participated in a school year opening day that focused on self-care and wellness.
The event, which took place at Chelsea High School on Aug. 27, was part of the ongoing emphasis on holistic wellness and the district’s goal to “provide and support a positive, safe, and healthy school environment” for both students and staff, said Marcus Kaemming, assistant superintendent of instruction, curriculum, and human resources.
Kaemming said that given the series of tragic student deaths in recent years, as well as the increase in mental health issues, administrators recognized that faculty and staff were feeling the effects of bearing a heavy load as they care for their students. “The common theme for this day is self-care,” he said. “We’re a family here, and in order to fulfill our purpose of caring for our family, we also have to care for ourselves.”
And that was the primary message communicated by the keynote speaker, David Hulings, a motivational transitional coach from the Grand Rapids area. Hulings also spoke about the health effects of “secondary trauma,” or the indirect exposure to those with firsthand knowledge of traumatic events.
Following the keynote address, staff heard “EdTalks” from staff members Brad Bush, Mara Goodman, Amy Proos, and Jeanne (and husband Tony) Caselli. They shared personal stories about their own well-being and journeys toward resiliency to motivate and inspire their peers.
After viewing the video “Absolute Motivation” (found here), staff selected three stations to visit based on their own personal interests or needs. Twenty-one possible station choices covered a wide range of topics and activities, including mindfulness, relaxation, stress-reduction, achieving balance, art and music therapy, exercise, sleep, yoga, and nutrition.
At the end of the day, staff could choose a stone inscribed with an inspirational word to keep. They were directed to the high school’s arbor, where they wrote one word or phrase from the day’s event that most resonated with them on large rocks.
Second-year art teacher Claire Popovich said she is thankful that the district values the mental health of both students and staff. She said teachers carry the weight of problems and issues that their students face. “It’s difficult to take that home with us every day,” she said.
Popovich said the idea from Hulings’ keynote that she found most memorable was to feed the thing that gives you energy.
Many people worked to make the Staff Opening Day-Wellness Focus a success.
Special thanks go to community partners who conducted stations: Ann Arbor Music Therapy, Breathe Yoga, Bulldog Nutrition, Chelsea District Library, Chelsea Wellness Center, Curtis Chiropractic, Dianna Kause, Live in Balance Consulting, Michigan Medicine, New Oakland Family Center, St. Joseph Behavioral Health, Thriving Minds, and Wayne Welton.
Chelsea School District staff presenters included Heather Conklin, Tracy Heydlauff, Corey Knight, Kristin Krarup-Joyce, Laura Naar, Claire Popovich, Luman Strong, and Rachael Wismont.
Administrators who participated in planning of the opening day event included Stacie Battaglia, Superintendent Julie Helber, Marcus Kaemming, Luman Strong, and Lisa Nickel.
