7th-9th grade assembly and NJHS field trip to Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital!
Assembly
During week 15, we held an assembly for all students grades 7-9. 8th grade students who attended the leadership conference introduced the guest speaker, Danny, who is a mental health counselor with Peace Club. Danny spoke about vaping, mental health issues, and bullying. Some alarming facts about vaping he shared are:
- Vaping is now being tied to lung disease
- Students who vape are smoking several pods per day
- 10% of 8th graders vape
- 25% of 12th graders vape
Danny also shared that a person’s brain typically has the ability to heal itself. For a brain that is still developing, it does not have the ability to combat toxins and heal itself. This can lead to many types of health issues, including mental health issues. Some students vape because of mental health problems, like anxiety, and vaping may increase anxiety. Danny asked for feedback from the audience, and they shared that the biggest issues at school are: vaping, self harm, and stress with school. Students also shared that the did not want to tell people about their mental health issues because they want to be seen as happy and not weak. They also indicated they want to handle issues on their own, and employ unhealthy coping skills like self criticism, self harm, and vaping (or other drugs). Danny explained how bullying is “taking your pain and turning it on someone else.” Danny shared his experience through high school and how he did not reach out for help for his anxiety. He encouraged students to reach out, and to understand that they are not alone.
Students, do not be afraid to reach out to your School Counselor. We are here to help!
See the Peace Club flyer below:
NJHS Field Trip
During week 16 (Thanksgiving) I had the pleasure of touring Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital with National Junior Honor Society! We got to see first-hand how our fundraising efforts for Dance Marathon directly support Arnold Palmer. Arnold Palmer is a nonprofit children’s hospital that does not turn families away for inability to pay. They provide millions of dollars of unfunded care every year. Arnold Palmer, AP, is rated one of the best children’s hospitals in the country. AP is the only level 1 trauma center in the Central Florida area, so many of the current Cocoa Beach students have frequented their doors. The ER alone has over 56,000 visits per year. AP has the 2nd largest NICU in the country, and were able to expand through fundraising. The blue ambulances that you may have seen, transport students from hospitals to Arnold Palmer. This is not your normal ambulance, they can do anything the hospital can (except surgery). One ambulance costs $500,000.
Fundraising through Dance Marathon goes to the largest area of need for Arnold Palmer. In 2018 central Florida Dance Marathon funds went to:
- 2 new ambulances
- In-patient rehab center (for patients relearning to walk)
- Fetal surgery program (1 of the only hospitals in the country that can operate in utero on Spina Bifida)
- Full-time teacher who is certified Kindergarten through 12th grade
We are excited to be a part of changing lives, and cannot wait to see how much of an impact Cocoa Beach’s Dance Marathon makes!
Thank you for visiting the blog! Stay tuned for more posts.
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