TSA regains its footing
Now more than ever, it is essential for us to nurture a generation of learners who are confident, effective communicators, engaged team members, and committed to the betterment of the human condition. Because The Sharon Academy maintains an open enrollment policy, which represents our commitment to equity, we focus on providing opportunities for a wide range of learners to develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions they need to thrive in our constantly changing world, such as personal responsibility, independent learning, leadership, teamwork, and effective communication.
Human connection has always been at the heart of our work at TSA. We recognize that students learn and perform best when they are healthy in mind, spirit, and body. When students feel valued, respected, and trusted, when they feel a sense of belonging and connectedness, learning and growth are both possible and profound. We pay very close attention to the emotional well-being of each TSA student.
Today, communities across the country are suffering, in part from the impact of the pandemic, but also from the bigger mental health crisis that surrounds us. TSA’s mental health data collection last year revealed that almost one-third of our student population had a mental health diagnosis. We are doing everything we can to strengthen the ties that hold us together.
When surveyed about the most critical area of learning and growth in their lives, 90% of our students reported that it is skills to help manage their mental health and overall well-being. This feedback resulted in the implementation of a required wellness curriculum. Student feedback about the program has been wholly positive. Courses on self-awareness, decision-making, substance abuse, emotional first aid, and wellness strategies are some of the most valuable classes they’ve taken.
We also reviewed the High School’s “Turquoise Days”, the half-days marking the end of each of the eight learning modules. For the 2022-23 school year, Turquoise Days engaged adults and students to connect around shared experiences to build and foster community and to reflect on the school’s mission through special programming, such as a hike up Mt. Tom in Pomfret, VT; a drama workshop with staff members from Northern Stage; a performance by local musical phenom Noah Kahan; a Winter Carnival with snowshoe races and ice sculpture contests; a day to celebrate Student Art; a Career Day featuring alumni and professionals from the region speaking about their fields and career journeys; a Community Week; and a year-end Field Day. We believe that these efforts succeeded in resurrecting the sense of community that TSA was traditionally known for. While the many deleterious effects of the pandemic remain, we are regaining our footing and look forward to solidifying our gains in the years to come
TSA is tremendously grateful to Mascoma Bank Foundation for its support of our wellness program and Turquoise Days