Health & Wellness

We believe in educating the whole child at VCS. Equipping students to make informed decisions about their Health & Wellness begins in K-1 and continues through graduation.

From choosing nutritious foods at lunch to navigating the many challenges of adolescence, our entire program builds and reinforces students’ skills in mindfulness, managing authentic emotions, agency, self-advocacy, personal responsibility and more. Students also engage with outside experts through developmentally appropriate workshops that provide in-depth learning and perspectives on sexuality, substance abuse, personal safety and digital citizenship.

Our school counselor coordinates all Health & Wellness programming for students as well as parents, refining and augmenting resources to meet the changing needs of modern families.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Sex Education – Grades 5-8

In a series of workshops, students work with a sexuality educator to explore age-appropriate topics around sexual development, building on the healthy communication and relationship skills emphasized throughout the VCS program.

Sessions include discussions about what to expect during puberty (physical, social and emotional changes), gender roles and identity, sexual media literacy, personal boundaries, sexual identity, consent and what’s considered “normal” as bodies and relationships evolve into adulthood.

Personal Safety Training – Grades 5-6

As they enter adolescence and gain more personal autonomy, students learn techniques to help them safely and confidently encounter new situations and new people.

Working with professional instructors, students hone personal safety skills including boundary setting, self-advocating communication and self-defense, with an emphasis on reducing risks and preventing unnecessary confrontations as they move through the city and their lives.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Drug & Alcohol Abuse Prevention – Grade 7

As students begin socializing with a broader array of peers and are thinking about their upcoming high school experiences, having an open dialogue about drugs and alcohol is an important developmental milestone.

Students meet with specialist counselors who educate them on the dangers of substance abuse and offer techniques for making good choices when encountering situations involving alcohol and drugs.

Digital Citizenship – Grades 7-8

An ideal complement to our Technology curriculum, these workshops foster critical reflection about students’ digital lives and their responsibilities to themselves and others in a digital world.

Working with university-affiliated researchers, students explore real dilemmas, engage in perspective-taking and consider action steps related to topics including digital footprints, photo sharing, personal well-being, relationships, digital drama and civic life.