Health & Wellness

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of health and wellness. Using the Wellness Wheel as a guide, students explore the six key areas of health: physical, intellectual, emotional, environmental, social, and spiritual. The course emphasizes three key areas: physical, emotional, and social health. Students learn the importance of staying active, managing their emotions, and building positive relationships. The course aims to help students develop healthy habits, become more self-aware, and improve their interactions with peers, all contributing to their overall well-being.

Overview of Topics

• Balanced nutrition and the digestive system
• Yoga practices and benefits
• Understanding puberty
• Emotional regulation and self-care strategies
• Effective communication skills
• Conflict resolution techniques
• Empathy and kindness in relationships

This course builds upon the foundational concepts introduced in Grade 5, continuing to explore health and wellness through the lens of the Wellness Wheel. The course delves deeper into the three key physical, emotional, and social health areas, focusing on understanding how these dimensions interconnect and impact overall well-being. Students engage in more complex discussions, activities, and self-reflection to further develop healthy habits and social skills as they navigate the changes of early adolescence. The goal is to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed choices and build strong, supportive relationships during this critical stage of life.

Overview of Topics

• Nutrition for bone and muscle health 
• The connection between movement and brain function 
• Puberty and physical changes 
• Building resilience in challenging situations
• Understanding the stress response 
• Establishing healthy boundaries
• Exploring different communication styles

This course builds on the concepts and skills learned in Grades 5 and 6 with a deeper exploration of the Wellness Wheel and its components. As students transition into adolescence, this course focuses on fostering self-awareness, personal responsibility, and a more nuanced understanding of how their choices affect their physical, emotional, and social well-being. Students engage in critical thinking and problem-solving activities that equip them with the skills to navigate the complex changes they encounter during this developmental stage. This course empowers students to make informed decisions and foster a positive approach to their overall health and wellness.

Overview of Topics 

• Nutritional requirements in adolescence 
• The cardiovascular and respiratory systems
• Embracing enjoyable physical activity
• Circadian rhythms in adolescence 
• Navigating complex emotions
• Recognizing and responding to peer pressure
• Social media's influence on relationships
• Practicing digital citizenship

This course explores the neuroscience of adolescence and changes in the pubescent body and brain. Students will learn about the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional changes during puberty. Key themes addressed are learning to exercise personal responsibility, fostering healthy relationships with self and others, and developing positive self-esteem and responsible social media use. The course aims to empower students with knowledge and skills to support healthy choices as they navigate adolescence. 

Overview of Topics

• Exploring the neuroscience of the adolescent brain
• Puberty and physical growth 
• Peer and social development
• Cognitive development in adolescence 
• Emotional growth during adolescence 
• Responsible media consumption and digital citizenship

Rooted in the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria, the health and wellness program at Newton Country Day takes a whole-person approach to educating our students. The Grade 9 Seminar helps students consider and learn more about their physical, social, spiritual, and personal well-being.

Module 1 - Finding Your Purpose: In the Finding Your Purpose module of the Grade 9 Seminar, students learn about how to navigate life—in high school, in college, and beyond—with a sense of purpose. They learn about the science of purpose (or eudaimonia), and engage in activities and reflections designed to identify their strengths, their passions, their mentors, and the ways in which they can give back to their communities. They prepare to create their purpose portfolio at the end of the school year and start thinking about ideas they will draw on when applying to college and designing their projects in Grade 12.

Module 2 - Sacred Heart Traditions: In the Sacred Heart Traditions module of the Grade 9 Seminar, students explore life at the Sacred Heart, past, present, and future. Students study the shared traditions, history, and culture of Sacred Heart schools to better familiarize themselves with the "sine qua non" as well as both strengthen their understanding of and also listen to their call to continue to give life to the Goals and Criteria. Through highlighting our founding mothers, both their stories and their works, students analyze the characteristics, attributes, and values that started our schools and continue to unite our global network. 

Module 3 - Healthy Bodies, Healthy Relationships: In the Healthy Bodies, Healthy Relationships module of the Grade 9 Seminar, students actively engage with Sacred Heart Goal V, Criterion 2, which calls all members of our community to "take personal responsibility for health and balance in their lives supported by a school of culture that promotes spiritual, intellectual, physical, and social-emotional well-being." Students grow in their knowledge of human biology by exploring human development, puberty, menstruation, personal health and hygiene, and reproduction. With an affirming and engaging approach, the school nurses collaborate as co-instructors of this module. In addition to human biology, students also engage in relevant and empowering conversations about personal values, boundaries, relationships, decision-making, digital safety, and how to support one another. 

Required for students in grade 9

The Grade 10 Health and Wellness Seminar engages students in data investigations of their well-being with the goal of promoting healthier lifestyle choices. The seminar aims to support the 10th-grade theme of ‘self-awareness” by challenging students to become more self-aware, particularly regarding their physical bodies and minds. Throughout the course, students will (1) learn about self-knowledge and awareness and its role in overall health and wellness; (2) Use the Common Online Data Analysis Platform (CODAP) to collect and analyze data about themselves and their health practices; (3) investigate research questions about overall health and wellness, such as how sleep quality relates to mood. The course culminates in student-led advocacy projects where they share their findings with the larger school community.

Required for students in grade 10

In the Grade 11 Health and Wellness Seminar, students engage in discussion, reflection, direct instruction CPR/AED training and practice, and in-class assignments to delve into the following essential life skills:

• CPR/AED practical skills and 2-year certification through the American Heart Association
• Metrics of Health, Chronic Diseases Risk Factors and Prevention
• Financial Literacy
• Leadership & Negotiation

Required for students in grade 11

In the Grade 12 Health and Wellness Seminar, students engage in meaningful discussions and activities that promote lifelong well-being and healthy decision-making. This course is designed to prepare students for the transition from high school to adult life by exploring key topics that are essential for maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle as they move toward independence. By the end of the course, students are equipped with the tools and knowledge to confidently handle the next phase of their lives. 

• In Semester 1, students learn to build healthy relationships, with an emphasis on communication, conflict resolution, and emotional well-being. They develop an understanding of substance use, its risks, and strategies for making informed choices. The course also covers the principles of consent and boundaries, fostering respect, and personal responsibility in interpersonal relationships. As students prepare for life after high school, the course addresses college life transitions, equipping them with skills to manage stress, maintain balance, and navigate new environments. Students also examine nutrition and how to make healthy food choices to support their physical and mental health in different settings. Finally, the course focuses on self-advocacy, empowering students to communicate their needs, seek help when necessary, and make decisions that prioritize their well-being. Through interactive discussions, self-reflection, and real-world scenarios, students gain the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in their next phase of life. 
   
• In Semester 2, students shift their focus to the Senior Project experience and identify ways to connect their sense of purpose to life outside of school. The Senior Project program invites students to discern, pursue, and engage in an independent professional externship during the final month of Grade 12. The project can take the form of an internship, service project, job shadow, or a carefully planned creative endeavor, culminating in the Senior Project Symposium, where each student presents experiences and outcomes in response to an essential question they have articulated

Required for students in grade 12