Doing Well and Being Well at School
Do students really have to choose between academic success and their well-being at school? Dr. Denise Pope and Jon Kleiman from Challenge Success argue that it is possible to achieve both outcomes simultaneously. This dynamic duo visited Crescent on October 22 and 23, engaging with parents, faculty, staff, and students to share their expertise and strategies.
The parent education event, Dimensions of a Well-Balanced Student, was part of the Men of Character Speaker Series, hosted by the Crescent Centre for Boys’ Education. Nearly 200 parents attended, eager to learn how both schools and families can work together to cultivate well-rounded students and set them on a path to success.
Pope and Kleiman identified several barriers to student achievement. One significant issue is insufficient sleep, which can hinder knowledge retention and contribute to depression, anxiety, and reckless behaviour. They also presented statistics indicating that students who keep phones in their bedrooms tend to get less sleep than those who do not, making a compelling case for replacing phones with alarm clocks in children's rooms.
Another challenge is over-programming. A school like Crescent offers an extensive range of co-curricular options, which can be overwhelming for students who feel compelled to participate in everything. Dr. Pope used the metaphor of a buffet to illustrate the best way to navigate the numerous co-curricular programs: take only what you can manage, and recognize when to step back to avoid overindulgence in the offerings available.
Their research reveals that most students perceive the path to success as linear: good grades lead to acceptance at a prestigious university, which then leads to a high-paying job and ultimately to happiness. In reality, few individuals experience such a straightforward trajectory in life. Additionally, their research shows that engagement in college is more important than the specific institution attended. It is vital for adults to share their non-linear journeys and redefine success on their own terms to challenge this misguided perception.
Our speakers distilled their formula for success into three key dimensions: well-being, belonging, and engagement. They assert that well-being can be fostered through a deliberate emphasis on playtime, downtime, and family time, underscoring the importance of dedicating time to each aspect daily.
“Crescent School is truly fortunate to have partnered with Challenge Success since 2017,” says Dr. Sandra Boyes, Executive Director of Professional Learning and Research at Crescent. “Their comprehensive definition of success, along with research-driven strategies that enhance student well-being and engagement in learning, serves as a critical remedy to the mental health concerns facing students today.”
