It seems a while since posting – so this is a quick update as we move on through the fall in 2016. The Roots program has taken place with Grade 6, there has been a Halloween teen dance.

I just found a podcast about poetry and addiction – share if. you like it. It is on the Poetry Foundation website, here.

Wellness had a dance party.

Were you there? Tell us about it!

So day one was a success,  13 children attended the first session and 7 in the afternoon.  There were 4 kids from the mainland.

Thank Jill, Kathy and Missy who chaperoned and tie-dyed

CLICK HERE for Program Enrollment Form April break

Don’t forget to look on our Facebook Page for updates and more about what the BI Wellness Coalition does.

Lots more photos there – like this one of a group at Recreation. They made tie dye T-shirts about ATI – Above The Influence.

Wellness is delighted to announce that we had really good candidates for the post of Activities Coordinator. Every one of them would have been a plus for the coalition. We had to choose, and Jill did sums with the budget, and so we have not just one new person, but two.

Melissa Conant, Missy, will be the Activities Coordinator. You will soon

Missy Conant

hear from her. She will work with Jill, our Coordinator of all the Wellness Coalition plans, as needed.

Kathy Mulshine will be the Wellness Aide, who will assist them both with planning and organizing, and also with the networking and coalition building needed for co-operation with key stakeholders in the community.

We are really looking forward to this.

While we broaden the Coalition, we are now able to engage more with others on island that we have already worked with and co-operate to fill gaps in what is provided. Do make contact if you have ideas for our working together.

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Another successful Roots behind us with a happy engaged class.

BI school 6th Grade 2015 – what a great group you are!
Thank you to everyone for helping keep this program going.

For those of you that weren’t there, some highlights: through journalist and closing circle we were able to weave in the “find your natural highs” theme, the kids were extremely engaged and asked for more and more yoga. Mr. Layden the 6th grade teacher wrote a song with the class about reading during their retreat that they are going to perform to their first grade friends today in class.

The first ever summer series is over.

As this is the first time that Wellness has engaged with a summer program, we would love feedback, suggestions and comments – scroll down or use contact. Also if you have photos, send them in.

Tyler Ferdinand was hired to assist the Wellness coordinator Jill Seppa with the goal of providing inspiring activities when parents are busiest and tourists are at a height. The series was open to all school age young people here, both island residents and visitors. It was hoped that interaction between Island and mainland kids would increase.

There were 7 events:

HeartSpace Driftwood Art Project at capacity, 22 kids varying in age from 8 to 16, 3 chaperones, about 50% Island kids and 50% Visiting Children. The Wellness Coalition provided snacks. Paige and Felicia were a pleasure to work with and created a nice environment for the kids to express themselves creatively.

Teen Dance at Town Beach Pavilion 75 children, ages of 12-17, 8 chaperones and DJ. Kids signed in with a parent contact info upon entering and dance rules were posted.Very successful, though few island kids attended.

Transition to College Program featuring Dean of Academic Excellence, Laurie Hazard 10 parents attended the adult event, 3 kids attended the kids event. The quality of the program was informative, helpful and clear.

Dinner & Games at BIMI  28 children attended, 5 chaperones, a healthy dinner catered by Los Gataitos plus games such as volleyball tournament, twister, jenga, face painting, bean bag toss, music and the Block Island Drummers.

Day on the Water with Matt Bellace 22 kids attended the kayaking and paddleboarding and dinner. Jill cooked a healthy dinner of grilled chicken, grilled vegetables, garlic bread, spaghetti and meatballs,salad, pasta and watermelon. The meal was completely finished. The kids who were there really interacted with Matt Bellace who got in depth during dinner about addiction, the underlying causes and symptoms and finding your natural highs.

Summer Homework Help Sessions

Community Bon Fire; 55 attendees mixed between kids, teens and families.

BIWC worked in collaboration with the following groups and businesses and thanks them for their support.

Block Island Maritime institute, Ocean Adventures, Pond & Beyond, Los Gataitos, Harbor Church, Heartspace

O’Toole & Parr [hired to create advertisements for the events].

It has been an amazing August

So many successful activities

More to come – kayaking on 27th – we will try to get some more photos up soon

A great time at the beach teen dance!

Thanks all organizers and chaperones who made it happen, and DJ Josh.

On Friday, June 12th, Jill coordinated with the school to give the Fifth Grade students a Pizza Party. As well as having fun they showed her the posters they had made of their “Natural Highs“. And of course were further introduced to the Wellness Coalition, as when they are in 6th Grade they will take part in the “Roots” program. Thanks Wellness for the pizza and thanks everyone who joined in!

Jill has just finished a two week tobacco prevention with the fourth grade (the 5th year this has been done).

They made T-shirts.

The Wellness coalition was pleased to support Block Island students who attended the Give Me 5 awards presentation in East Greenwich. Also thanks to the parent chaperones who accompanied them.

This is the second year that Block island students have enjoyed making five minute films through the RI Teen Film Give Me 5 program. Many thanks to Andre Boudreau for his work and enthusiasm in getting them to it.

All of this years five minute films can be seen here – there are 11 of them.

See how many of our BI kids you recognize !

This is a great program – so much to experience and learn.

Lots of dancing, great outfits, photos (by Tracy Finn so hope for more here soon)

Josh and Meg – thanks for excellent DJ enthusiasm.

Everyone who provided punch, pizza, brownies. What a good time

Waiting for the photo opp

What does this mean?

Resist pressure – be yourself

Easy to say maybe not so easy to do

See how others see what Above the Influence means on the videos below:

Google “you tube above the influence” and find lots more, some seem good to me, some not so good. How do they seem to you?

Matt Bellace, a psychologist, writer and comedian, says he is a clinical neuropsychologist who’s able to laugh at himself. On 15th April the Wellness Coalition and the BI school sponsored his visit here where he made separate presentations to high school and middle school students, and to parents teachers and community members. The Block Island Times reported on his visit here.