Seminars

List of 2 items.

• Middle School Health & Wellness Seminar

  The curriculum of our Health and Wellness Seminar Program includes units that strive to increase self-awareness, as well as teach students skills they can use throughout their lifetime. Our goal is to empower students to make wise and sound decisions in their journey through adolescence. One of the strengths of the program is the small discussion groups led by trained facilitators. In addition to covering planned curriculum units, we are also able to use this built-in time format to address issues of concern that arise during the school year.

  
  Through the use of group guidance activities that focus on the developmental needs of adolescents, we are better able to observe the kinds of social relationships that students share with one another, as well as learn more about their interactions.

  
  Our Health and Wellness Program lends itself wonderfully to the fact that tweens and teens are social beings by nature, and the one thing that they enjoy immensely is to get together with one another to talk about issues important to them in the “here and now.” The small group discussions in Health and Wellness offer a supportive and nurturing environment in which students are able to talk with one another about issues important to them, as well as gain insight and confirming messages about themselves.

  
  The groups offer a supportive environment in which anxiety is reduced, and students learn that they are not alone with their concerns. Because of the open dialogue that takes place in these group meetings, students are able to gain a sense of belonging and support, as well as learn new ways of behaving and life-managing skills.

• Upper School Grade Level Seminars

  All sophomores, juniors, and seniors participate in grade level Seminars. Seminars meet 8-10 times per year during students’ free periods and are taught by the School Counselor, the Grade Dean, the Dean of Students and the Head of Upper School.

  
  Severn’s Seminars strive to increase self-awareness and teach students social and cognitive skills they can use throughout their lifetime. The goal is to empower students to make wise and sound decisions in their journey through adolescence. Each grade level Seminar addresses a different theme under the umbrella of leadership, which is an integral part of Severn’s mission. During Sophomore Seminars, guidance-based curricula and pertinent discussions center around the theme of “Getting to Know Myself.” Students investigate their values, biases, and strengths in order to harness talents and find positive ways to impact their community. Junior Seminars focus on “Getting to Know Others.” Curricula emphasize communication and relationship-building skills. During Senior Seminars, students explore their role as leaders in the school at the same time that they prepare to for their transition out of high school.

  
  Teenagers are social beings by nature, and they enjoy gathering with one another to talk about issues important to them in the here and now. The safe and open, small-group discussions in Seminar offer a supportive and nurturing environment in which students are able to talk with one another about important issues, and gain insight and confirming messages about themselves. During Seminars, students learn that they are not alone with their adolescent concerns. They gain a sense of belonging and support, and they learn and implement new life-management skills.