Life Skills Day: Educating the Whole Child

     Many schools talk about educating the whole the child, but Union Academy proactively puts this mission into action. One example is UA's High School Life Skills Day. On Life Skills Day, students are divided by grade level and spend a school day attending programs on interview skills, table etiquette, sewing, CPR, and more. The annual event began in November of 2014 under the guidance of Shannen Bretz. According to Bretz the event grew from a brainstorm about what students needed before graduation. He said, "We heard that employers and universities were looking for 'soft skills,' like empathy, responsibility, initiative, and manners. We designed life skills day to encompass these concepts in an effort to develop the whole child and to educate for all parts of life."
     On Thursday, April 13, Union Academy held it's 3rd annual Life Skills Day. According to Kelly Brun, school counselor who has coordinated the efforts for the past two years, the school has made a conscious effort to provide different skills each year and to constantly adapt the program to meet the needs of the students. "Each year we survey the students and the speakers to assess areas of success and improvement.  We also use the survey to solicit new ideas," she said.  For instance, this year the lesson on how to change a tire was hands-on. Sophomore students were divided into small groups and worked together to read a vehicle's owner manual and work through the steps necessary to change a flat. 

     In 2017, twenty-four skills were taught. Each grade level circulated through six different skills. All high school students learned self-defense thanks to Sangrock Black Belt World, US Taekwondo Academy, Roar Taekwondo, and Zen Jiu-Jitsu. Seniors also learned about credit and finance, communication skills, trauma care, and CPR. Juniors learned ethics, how to sew, interview skills, how to register a car, and the importance of a positive social media profile. In addition to how to change a tire and self-defense, sophomore students participated in workshops on table etiquette, stress management, first aid, and impaired safety. Freshmen skills included food safety, relationship skills, fitness, and cyber safety. 
     According to Jim Zorn, the high school principal, one of the best parts of this event is the community support. "Union Academy partnered with nineteen different organizations to make today's event possible." Participants included South Piedmont Community College, Wingate University, North Carolina Cooperate Extension, the State Bureau of Investigation, Turning Point, Monroe Police Department, and Union County Junior Cotillion. In addition,  Union Academy alumni, parents, and grandparents helped teach courses. Community members value the purpose behind Life Skills day. According to Kathy Babula from Youth Meditation, "The best part about Life Skills Day is the variety of instruction regarding the real world that students can immediately put to use. From proper table etiquette to job interview skills to CPR, one never knows when this information will be needed for a 'make or break' moment."
     In addition to the small group workshops, the students ended the day with an assembly called Chasing the Dragon organized by Union Academy's Nursing Department. High school parents were also invited to attend. The assembly touched on the dangers of substance abuse, particularly on the the harmful effects of opioid addiction. One of the speakers at the assembly, Elaine Moffatt, shared her son's story with opioid addiction.  "His addiction began with prescription pill abuse and quickly moved out of his control."

     "With the growing heroin epidemic in North Carolina and across the United States, we think it is important for students to be aware of how dangerous it is to take prescription drugs without doctor supervision," said Monica Kocell, school nurse.  According to Ashley Sabo, head of the Union Academy nursing department, "Information from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) indicates that one in five high school seniors reports misusing prescription drugs at least once in their lifetime.  In addition the DEA reports that 75% of opioid (heroin) abusers started with prescription pills.  Teens and their parents need to be aware of the addictive nature of these pills."  

     From changing tires to substance abuse prevention, Life Skills Day is a proactive way that Union Academy works to ensure the success of their students.  "Keeping our students safe, teaching them to be independent, and preparing them for the future are the real goals of this day," said Kelly Brun. 

Freshmen Focus: UA's High School Student Transition Program

     Union Academy is dedicated to educating the whole child as evidenced by the second year of the school's Freshmen Focus workshops. Freshmen Focus began in the 2015-16 school year when principal Jim Zorn pulled together a team of high school staff members with instructions to create a curriculum that would assist freshmen with entering high school. His idea grew to become a series of ten lessons designed to both acclimate ninth graders to high school and find success in their final years at Union Academy. This year the program grew to include upperclassmen as co-teachers of the lessons. "It seemed like a natural fit to include our Link Crew Leaders in the implementation of Freshmen Focus," said Trent Faulkner, Union Academy teacher and Link Crew adviser. The Link Crew is a group of juniors and seniors in charge of Freshmen Orientation. "They were looking for another way to interact with the ninth grade class and this was a great opportunity," he added.
     This school year's Freshmen Focus series kicked off with an assembly hosted by Mr. Faulkner and the Link Crew. Mr. Faulkner interacted with students teaching them the importance of choosing friends wisely and keeping focused on the goal of graduation and college. The Link Crew led students in games where they experienced the importance of working together and choosing wisely.
In the months following the assembly, students rotated through a series of eight activities and learning skills such as stress management, SMART goals, serving others, and making the most of high school. Students were quizzed on the history and mission of UA and learned about the importance of the three Cs: Challenge, Character, and Community. They participated in scenarios that made them consider choices they may be faced with as a high school student and evaluate their life priorities. "My favorite class in Freshmen Focus was learning how to calculate my GPA and what to expect in high school," said ninth grade student Andrew Young.
     The tenth and final meeting of Freshmen Focus was on High School Service Day. This half day event began with a wrap-up of all previous lessons and more activities related to personal leadership and success. Students were reminded of UA’s graduation requirement involving service hours and were exposed to the needs of local charities and non-profits. Students chose from eight different projects such as making blankets for Project Linus, crafting para-cord bracelets for the USO, stuffing race bags for the Heart of Monroe, and preparing lunch for Operation Reach Out. They demonstrated teacher appreciation by cleaning rooms, braiding chew toys for dogs at the Union County Animal Shelter, and mixing home-made play-dough for the Alliance for Children. Student Emily Huang said, "I like feeling like I'm making a difference. On service day, I felt good about making para-cord bracelets and making sandwiches for those in need." "My group created whisper phones for emerging readers. They learned that serving others does not have to be elaborate project and that the most simple act of kindness can go a long way, " said Holly Hammonds, high school counselor.
     "Our goal with the Freshmen Focus program was to create a solid foundation for these young students entering high school. We want them to understand the importance of good character, and we want them prepared to meet the challenges of the next few years and feel supported through the process," said Principal Zorn.
     Freshmen Focus and the Link Crew are examples of how Union Academy proactively works to promote core values and performance values (Principles 1 & 3 of Character Education). In addition this program works to create a caring community (Principle 4 of Character Education) across grade levels.