sun and news 4-3-2021

Page 6/The Sun and News, Saturday, April 3, 2021

Mental Health Break lets TK students just be kids

Although their smiles
were hidden behind face
masks, the laughter from a
group of Thornapple Kellogg
High School students play-
ing the game Apples to
Apples was a sure sign they
were having fun.
Meanwhile, sounds of
students singing karaoke in a
nearby classroom echoed
down the hallways and into
the classrooms.
“We haven’t been able to
do a lot of the things we
would normally do, so this is
nice,” senior Lily Pratt said
as she and a classmate played

a fast-paced game of Uno. “I

like just being able to hang

out with my friends.”

For a little more than an

hour the afternoon of March

26, students took a mental

health break and had more

than 25 activity options.

Numbers were limited in

each area to allow for social

distancing within the rooms

and hallways, but students

were able to sign up with

friends.

It was all designed as the

culmination of a week of

mental wellness activities,

helping students realize they

are not alone in their feelings

and understanding this year

has been difficult. The week

was put together by the

TKHS Mental Wellness

team.

Principal Tony Petersen

said students and staff need-

ed the mental break.

“The best thing we could

do is give kids a chance to

take a mental break - give

them a chance to laugh with

their friends and calm their

minds,” said Petersen. “We

just wanted to give them

options and provide nice dis-

tractions for everything that’s

going on.”

Classrooms became spac-

es for card games, board

games, coloring and yoga.

Some students learned to

knit, create flower arrange-

ments or braid friendship

bracelets. Some chose to just

find a quiet place to read.

The football field was used

for a competitive kickball

game. The Main Street hall-

ways in the school saw four-

square and nine-square com-

petitions, and the pingpong

tables were always in use.

TKHS teacher Tricia

Rickert belted out the B-52’s

“Love Shack” as she started

karaoke in her classroom

with students eagerly joining

in. In another wing of the

school, students brought

their guitars and were able to

play together or by them-

selves. Sidewalks became

giant canvases for chalk art-

ists.

English teacher Scott

Aldrich said he enjoyed see-

ing the students have fun.

“There are so many

things kids are worried about

today. Yes, they get to see

their friends at school, but

they don’t get to choose who

they eat lunch with or sit

beside. They don’t have that

social time as much and they

really need that interaction,”

said Aldrich, who has been

part of the Mental Wellness

Team at the high school.

The team, which includes

students, teachers and coun-

selors, has been working all

year to bring attention to

mental wellness and under-

standing the challenges stu-

dents face, especially in the

past year.

“Today just really gives

them time to be together and

have that social interaction,”

Aldrich said of students.

“With everything going on

all year, they still need time

to just be kids.”

A PASSION FOR PATIENTS OF ALL AGES

Each patient is treated as an individual with a dedication to helping you and

your family achieve and maintain optimal health.

Accepting New Patients: 269-945-7497 familytreemedical.com

MEDICAL ASSOCIATES

Virtual, In-Office, and Same-Day Appointments

1375 W. Green Street, Hastings, MI 49058

R. Troy Carlson M.D. Brenda Nyenhuis, C.F.N.P. Eric Smith, C.F.N.P.

• Wheel Alignments


• Auto Glass Installation


• Insurance Work Welcome


• Visa & MasterCard Accepted

Over 40 years experience

Bruce’s Frame and Alignment

415 2nd • Middleville

795-

brucesframe.com

Full Service

Body Shop

Alana Compton makes flower arrangements

Lily Pratt and Dan Swift play the card game Uno.

Maliah Westmaas creates chalk art

Alex Zimmerman plays guitar