As many students gear up for Secret Santa, holiday parties and time with family, others are worrying about the upcoming 12 days off of school. From the simple stress of seeing family and deadlines to the worries of having necessities over the break, the holidays can be hard for many reasons.
Though this time is stressful for many, some teachers try to help bring calm into the classroom during this chaotic time.
“I try to put a crackling fire on the board and some chill holiday music which kind of lets everyone chill out a little bit around the holidays,” said English teacher Connie Colvin. “I try to do some lighter things because I know people get stressed with a lot of work towards the end of the nine weeks.”
The school and surrounding communities do reach out a helping hand to students and families in need of more help. PHS has a care closet where students can discreetly access necessities like personal hygiene products, jackets and other forms of clothing. Anyone can donate to the closet simply by bringing items to the nurse’s office.
“The closet is on the first floor diagonal from the nurse’s office and it has everything from non-perishable foods to everyday hygiene items,” said school nurse Victoria Stevens. “We take used items, we wash them and then hang them up there. It goes really fast so if anyone wants to bring in old clothes, old shoes, any non-perishable food or any hygiene things we take all of it.”
There are also community churches and organizations that strive to help. The Gathering Church located on 14th Street offers warm meals every Saturday from four to five p.m. Other organizations that offer free meals are the Salvation Army of Parkersburg, Trinity Episcopal Church, which provides free lunches every Monday, and Friendship Kitchen, which offers free meals via curbside pickup. To find ways to donate or access these programs you can visit findhelp.org or contact the nurse.
“There are so many things in the community. I have a list of all the places you can get food, help with medication, and housing. Really the opportunities are endless,” said Stevens. “If they (students) have someone they can trust in the building and they don’t want to talk to me they can talk to the teacher or whoever. That person can relay that to me and we can get that orchestrated. There is help for anybody who needs it.”
The holidays can bring on many other stresses as it’s a time for family visits, deadlines and parties. There are many ways to de-stress the upcoming weeks and going into the new year. Watching movies, playing board games and reading a book are basic tactics, but many like more active solutions such as playing with pets, yoga and lifting weights.
“My family is one of my biggest stressors,” said human development teacher Nici Liotti. “I crochet, play with my dogs or listen to Christmas music to help.”
Many are overwhelmed and anxious towards the end of the year. This season students can help in not only large ways, but they can also give simple encouraging words to friends and teachers in the hallway.
“It makes me feel so good when someone randomly compliments me,” said sophomore Bailey Oliver. “I feel appreciated and it helps me smile even when I feel so overwhelmed or stressed.”
