St. Vrain Storm

This episode explores how families can support their students who may be struggling to make friends at school. The discussion highlights the power of specific, low-pressure conversations at home, the value of shared interests, and the role of school clubs and activities in creating natural openings for friendships to grow.

This episode explores organization and time management and how families can help their students with these skills. We discuss executive function as a learned ability and share practical strategies such as chunking tasks, using visual systems, color-coding materials, weekly backpack cleanouts, and more. The episode offers actionable steps families can use to reduce stress and help students become more independent and confident.

In this episode, we unpack managing technology use at home and discuss the real neurological pull toward connection and emotional regulation. We share practical strategies including family “focus zones,” timed work-and-break intervals, reduced notifications, and more to help teens rebuild attention without power struggles.

Why a walking podcast?Just as we know that movement is important for our physical health, it also has an impact on our cognitive health. Walking can increase creative output by an average of 60%, and according to the American Psychological Association, a 12 minute walk results in an increase of joviality, vigor, attentiveness, and self-confidence versus sitting for the same time period. Join the ConversationWhen you return from your walk, we encourage all teachers and staff to have a conversation with your team about some of the themes and ideas that emerged in this podcast. What do you want to celebrate?What challenges do you want to move beyond as we begin this school year?How are you inspired to demonstrate leadership in your work?What is your why for moving forward?

Why a walking podcast?Just as we know that movement is important for our physical health, it also has an impact on our cognitive health. Walking can increase creative output by an average of 60%, and according to the American Psychological Association, a 12 minute walk results in an increase of joviality, vigor, attentiveness, and self-confidence versus sitting for the same time period. Join the ConversationWhen you return from your walk, we encourage all teachers and staff to have a socially distanced conversation with your team about some of the themes and ideas that emerged in this podcast. What do you want to celebrate?What challenges do you want to move beyond as we begin this school year?How are you inspired to demonstrate leadership in your work?What is your why for moving forward?

Dr. Don Haddad gives a powerful message to the class of 2020. Students from this graduating class were in kindergarten during September 11th. They have lived through the invention of Social Media, economic recessessions, and now a global pandemic but we know they have the skills needed to move forward.