RE Log Spring 2022

Counseling Resources: Students have access to Director of Counseling Isis Perez-Gonzalez and Middle School Counselor Susana Diaz for support with mental health challenges and emotional concerns. Parents also confer with counselors to obtain strategies to assist their children in the school setting and since 2021-22 have had virtual parenting seminars with Deborah Offner, a clinical psychologist with expertise in adolescent issues and family counseling. Wellness Staff: Director of Student Health Services Marie Gregorio and Middle School Nurse Norma Torres offer on-campus health services to students and keep up to date on best practices concerning COVID-19 protocols, concussions and general health care matters. Wellness Tools : An internal school Wellness Page was created, offering mindset strategies and wellness tools to students; materials from parent workshops to parents; and resources and health tips to faculty. Midday Break : Social distancing demands during the pandemic prompted the school to shift to an alternating block schedule in 2020-21 with classes paused for the entire school during a midday break. This restorative respite from the rigors of the school day was so positively received it has remained. Students use the 70-minute midday break to meet with friends and teachers, eat lunch, engage in club activities, do homework and relax. Enhanced Nutrition: Ransom Everglades recently began partnering with the founder of Wellness in the Schools, Nancy Easton ’84, and chef Andrew Benson to help raise the bar on the school’s approach to meals and nutrition. The pair are working alongside current vendor SAGE Dining Services. Read more on page 6. Physical Education: Sixth through ninth graders are required to take physical education, and older students must either play a sport or continue with PE classes. In 2020-21, the former Issues and Ethics curriculum was reintroduced to teach middle schoolers important social and emotional skills. Health Information Project (HIP): HIP is a student-led, peer-to-peer health education program that empowers juniors and seniors to instruct freshmen on mental health, reproductive health, substance use and abuse, nutrition, exercise, obesity and more. Read more on page 12. Substance Abuse Education: Ransom Everglades began partnering this year with the Caron Treatment Centers to provide in-person, interactive, small group sessions to sophomores, juniors and seniors on substance use and abuse. Digital Citizenship and Safety: Internet safety experts annually advise middle school students and families on how to use the web and social media safely and responsibly. College Life Skills and Leadership: RE seniors attend a pair of seminars on hazing and sexual consent each spring that are designed to prepare them for life on college campuses. RE parents John Tsialas and Flavia Tomasello, whose son Antonio Tsialas ’19 died tragically after a hazing event in college, join RE parent and attorney David Bianchi to present the hazing seminars. (They also created the The Antonio Tsialas ’19 Compassionate Leadership Program and Award, whose goal is to inspire compassionate leaders who will make smart choices.) Health educator and author Shafia Zaloom has addressed seniors about sexual consent and relationships. Lampen Family Wellness Center and Class of 2019 Wellness Garden: The Lampen Family Wellness Center opened in 2019 and is home to the upper school health center and counselor’s office. The center and adjacent garden, a gift from the Class of 2019, offer indoor and outdoor spaces for self-care, rest, relaxation and contemplation. Marie Gregorio, Director of Student Health Services Isis Perez-Gonzalez, Director of Counseling Caron Treatment Centers Educational Specialist Maggie Burchill John Tsialas and Flavia Tomasello 20 Ransom Everglades LOG SPRING 2022