Whole-Person Education

Applied Wellness

Wellness for the real world

This unique-to-DSHA program is designed to mimic how individuals achieve whole-person wellness beyond high school: through reflection, contemplation, planning, and action. We will provide students with the framework and a variety of opportunities to practice and internalize this process so that wellness becomes more than a requirement – it becomes a way of life. A four-year, school-wide commitment will allow students to grow into the ability to manage their own wellness — during the high school years and beyond. 
 
Areas of focus for individual student wellness: 
  • Spiritual Health
  • Intellectual Health
  • Physical Health
  • Mental/Social/Emotional Health
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

HOW IT WORKS | FRESHMAN YEAR:

List of 3 items.

  • First Semester | Freshman Wellness + Foundational Fitness

    The Applied Wellness program begins sophomore year. Freshmen are enrolled in Foundational Fitness and Freshman Wellness so they begin their journey in a structured manner.

    Freshman Wellness: 
    Freshman Wellness is a program that connects students with the people, resources, and opportunities at DSHA which are here to help each student make the most of their freshman year (and beyond). In Freshman Wellness groups, students will work with school counselors, campus ministers, teachers, administrators, and members of the Applied Wellness program to participate in thoughtful discussions, work together on activities, build relationships, and learn more about themselves and DSHA. 

    Some of the things students will learn and practice include:
    • Exploring the dimensions of wellness through self-assessment, reflection, goal setting, and application.
    • Finding the people and resources that work best for them.
    • Exposure to a "growth mindset" and embracing meeting new people and learning new things.
    • Creating and committing to a solid academic routine (time management, organization, etc.).
    • Learning about policies, processes, and other guidelines at DSHA.
    Foundational Fitness:
    Freshmen begin their physical wellness journey with Foundational Fitness, a course focused on foundational concepts as it relates to their physical health.
     
    Students will:
    • Have scheduled fitness days with fitness instructors three times a week in which they work on their physical health goals. 
    • Begin to understand their current fitness levels and set goals for self-improvement.
    • Develop a basic knowledge and understanding of each component of health-related fitness (flexibility, muscular endurance, muscular strength, body composition and cardiovascular endurance).
    • Participate in various activities offered in the fitness center, the mind/body studio, gymnasium, and outdoor fields.

  • First Semester | Freshman Resource

    All freshmen are required to take a study hall for one semester. First semester is called Freshman Resource where students are assigned to a specific room and resource moderator, This structured approach, rather than an open-spaced study hall, is intended to foster productive study skills and a consistent connection with other students and a faculty member. Freshman Resource Teachers will serve as a daily touch point for students and will help encourage positive habits, build community, and serve as a resource for DSHA-related events and activities. 

  • Second Semester | Foundational Fitness + Applied Wellness Introduction

    Foundational Fitness:
    Freshmen students will continue Foundational Fitness classes second semester.
     
    Applied Wellness Introduction:
    Second semester, after students have had the opportunity to transition into the high school environment, and have received the introductory Applied Wellness framework through Freshman Wellness, they will have the opportunity to engage in Applied Wellness experiences at a certain point within the semester. 

HOW IT WORKS | Sophomore - Senior Year:

List of 5 items.

  • Customized and individualized.

    The Mission of the Divine Savior Holy Angels Applied Wellness Program is to allow students to explore their self advocacy and personal accountability through the process of assessment, choice, engagement, and reflection.  This experiential program offers students with a variety of wellness experiences allowing them to learn more about themselves and grow within their own wellness journeys.

  • Measuring and tracking.

    Students have the opportunity to engage in a confidential wellbeing assessment twice a year (Assessing Wellbeing in Education). They also have the opportunity to complete our customized school climate survey to share more about their personal, academic and social experiences at DSHA.  We can glean insight from surveys, student discussions and faculty suggestions to create programming that meets the needs and interest of the students. We then in turn can empower the students to make choices that will maintain or enhance their wellbeing.   

  • Dynamic.

    The high school years are marked with seasons of continual change, growth, and challenges. As a result, students will be able to choose their wellness experiences to accommodate the greatest need or interest at the time. However, we also encourage healthy risk taking where students jump out of their comfort zone and engage in something outside of their usual choices/interests. 

  • Applied Wellness Experiences | When and how?

    Applied Wellness Hour:
    • Every Students has an Applied Wellness hour in their schedule each semester. Applied Wellness experiences typically take place within this hour.
    • Students registered for a study hall may also use this time to engage in an Applied Wellness experience. 
    • Students utilize a customized application for this program.

  • Applied Wellness Requirements

    Applied Wellness is one unified program where students are encouraged to engage in multiple wellness experiences to learn about, support and promote their own wellbeing. The intention is to meet student interest, choice, need, and offer opportunities to step outside their comfort zones. Students are required to follow a weekly requirement. 

    This is an experiential and student focused program not bound to a curriculum. There is no letter grade but rather a PASS or INCOMPLETE. This program is grounded in the understanding that each student has different needs and will take different paths, so it is not connected to a traditional academic standard of grade achievement.

    The program requires student sign up and follow through for these wellness experiences. Sign up and tracking are housed within a customized Applied Wellness App.

    There are weekly requirements, and monthly reflections that each student must engage in to pass the program. There is not a wellness domain that stands alone or should have a greater focus than the others. Students have the opportunity to engage in experiences that focus on their Social, Emotional, Spiritual, Diverse, and Physical selves.

    The intention behind this structured choice is to allow students the freedom to grow in their understanding of themselves, relationships with others and embrace the full spectrum of humanity. We encourage healthy risk taking with the understanding that students will ebb and flow in their experience selections. This process will allow students the opportunity to flourish.

    GRADE: 10,11,12
    CREDIT: ¼ per year
    LENGTH: all year
    GRADUATION REQUIREMENT: Yes

For more information, contact:

Joanna McQuide, MS, DSHA '93
Applied Wellness Program Director 
McQuideJ@dsha.info

Joy Brezovar
Applied Wellness Program Assistant

Applied Wellness via Student Services

The Applied Wellness program falls under the umbrella of Students Services at DSHA. The intention is to serve students in the fullest capacity possible – all to ensure that each girl is able to navigate her college-prep high school experience in a healthy manner, with resources tailed to meet her needs.

Click here to learn more about Student Services at DSHA. 

Divine Savior Holy Angels High School

4257 N. 100th Street Milwaukee, WI 53222 | Phone: (414) 462-3742
Sponsored by the Sisters of the Divine Savior
© 2017 Divine Savior Holy Angels High School. All Rights Reserved