Ship Day 2022 encouraged students to use creative outlets to help manage stress, overcome challenges and express themselves.
Health and Wellness
Mind. Body. Community.
Throughout a student’s Middle School and Upper School years, Dana Hall works diligently, thoughtfully, and intentionally to cultivate a brave, open, and safe community that values the health and well-being of all.
Our celebrated Forum curriculum is the centerpiece of those efforts. Through regular meetings led by teachers, students learn how to build self-confidence and strong relationships by exploring core themes of community, communication, identity, and self-care. They embrace alternate viewpoints, lean into discomfort, and negotiate the “oops” and “ouch” moments that come with adolescence.
The Peer Education program here does not just scratch the surface of challenging conversations, but instead welcomes new ideas and perspectives, all the while fostering new friendships across grade levels.” EMILYPeer Educator
We evolve our Forum programming each year to reflect emerging developments around race, gender identity, and other societal factors that affect our school and our world.
Throughout the year, we also welcome guest speakers who address topics that range from how to become a good digital citizen to personal stories of recovery and resilience. Recent speakers have included Dr. Lisa Damour, an expert on adolescent girls’ development and the author of the bestseller Under Pressure, and Rosetta Lee, a highly respected diversity speaker and trainer.
The physical health of our community is also a top priority. While participating in team sports isn’t a requirement at Dana Hall, we expect and encourage every student to be physically active. The breadth of activities and programs offered at our Shipley Center—from squash to rock climbing—helps ensure that students exercise their bodies as well as their minds. Recreational sports, which complement our robust athletics offerings, are woven into the fabric of student life, providing valuable lessons in teamwork, leadership, cooperation, and collaboration.
Health and Wellness News
The 2020-21 Peer Educators celebrated a successful academic year that centered around mental health awareness, combating bias and bullying, and making positive life decisions.
The theme for Ship Day 2021 centered around healing, led by keynote speaker Cheyenne Tyler Jacobs.
The value of peer-to-peer teaching and learning is on full display as Peer Educators teach Forums 5 and 6 this trimester.
From the Roar
On the 50th anniversary of Title IX, an appreciation for the groundbreaking gender law and its impact on today's students.
Taking small breaks in your work day, getting a full night's sleep and taking unplugged vacations can be critical to one’s overall health and wellbeing.
By establishing Forum Community Agreements, students come to consensus on what they need from themselves, their classmates, and their teachers in order to be their best selves in the classroom.