Counseling & Adolescent Development

• Injury prevention/ Head Injury/ Impact Program
• Total Health (Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Spiritual, Social).
• Risky behavior
• Bullying
• Depression/ Mental health
• Stress/ Relaxation techniques/ Mindfulness
• Self esteem/body image. How does one define beauty?
• Steroids/Eating Disorders
• Rx/ OTC drugs/ Illegal substances/ Marijuana
• Tobacco (smoking and smokeless), Hookahs, E-cigs and Vaping
• Alcohol/Binge Drinking
• Sun Safety Program
• Consent, “No” means No
• Sexually Transmitted Infections
• Gender roles/diversity/ sexual orientation
• Sexual harassment and flirting.
• Protection methods
• Unhealthy and healthy relationships

• Major nutrients
• My plate, portion control
• Fast Food menus and healthy choices
• Food labels - What does it all mean?
• Sugar intake
• Digestive System
• Basal Metabolic Rate, Intake vs Expenditure
• Food log / calculations of carbs, protein, fat.
• Group presentations. (ie: Food allergies, Performance enhancing supplements, energy drinks, fad diets, organic/gmo, diabetes, caloric intake for athletes, probiotics, quick healthy breakfast ideas, vegetarian)

The objective of the course is twofold: 1) To prepare the juniors for the college process. They will meet with their college counselors in the spring during scheduled class time. And 2) to provide them with critical information so they can better anticipate consequences, evaluate risk, and make informed decisions. At the end of the junior year, each student will hopefully have a better understanding of his/her self -- on both a personal level and within the constructs of our society.

• Mindfulness: learning to elicit the relaxation response.
• Morality
• Bullying/Harassment policies
• Consent: legal definition
• Sexual Assault: (“The Hunting Ground”), bystander intervention.
• Healthy vs. unhealthy relationships: characteristics, warning signs, cycle of abuse, support
• Constructions of gender and sexual identity
• Distractology: the dangers of distracted driving.
• Sex Ed: STD’s, pregnancy, risk factors (speaker)
• Alcohol Poisoning (“HAZE”)
• Drugs: heroin, prescription drugs ("Heroin: Cape Cod, USA").​​​​​​​

In this class, students learn about the importance of developing habits and skills to enhance overall health and well-being. Students will study age-appropriate health topics and practice skills to develop healthy habits and make the best choices for themselves now and in the future. By increasing healthy habits and reducing risk behaviors, we will work to promote strong bonds between students and among all members of the Thayer community.

• Health triangle--Introduction and discussion of social, physical, and mental health with an emphasis on personal responsibility
• Family discussion and activity
• Friendship discussion and activity
• Communication skills/activities
• Introduction to the Food Plate
• Introduction to good hygiene
• Self-esteem/Self-confidence
• Saying “No”/Group role play
• Stress management
• Choices and accountability

In this class, students spend the year exploring a number of issues that concern them as a citizen of the world, as a 7^th grader at Thayer Academy, as a member of their family, and as a friend to their peers. The goal of this class is to help students develop skills around making decisions in all aspects of life, including peer pressure, personal health, relationships, and leadership. Activities and discussions in class will serve as a framework for learning about making decisions and talking about different issues. Decisions class is an opportunity to participate in meaningful conversations about what students are thinking, what concerns them, and what they will encounter in the future.

Understanding decision-making

• Good kids/bad decisions
• Who influences our decisions?
• How do decisions change with every new situation?
• Six steps to making a decision

Technology

• What does technology mean to you?
• How important is technology to you?
• Internet safety
• Digital citizenship
• Social networking
• Technology tips for teens
• Forgiveness
• Cliques and Stereotypes
• Community service
• Equality
• Bullying in Schools
• Teenage drinking
• Teen drinking and driving
• Diversity, Discrimination, and Tolerance

*Throughout the year, we further reinforce and/or revisit many of these topics through the MS Advisory program in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.

Annual FCD (Freedom from Chemical Dependency) Week

FCD Prevention Work is the leading international nonprofit provider of school-based substance abuse prevention services. For decades, FCD has worked worldwide to provide students and the adults who care for them with the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to make intelligent, healthy choices about alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. (http://www.fcd.org) FCD partners annually with Thayer Academy for a one-week educational program involving students, teachers, and families.

SALSA (Students Advocating Life without Substance Abuse) Mentoring Program

SALSA is FCD’s peer leadership substance abuse prevention program for students in the Upper School who choose not to use alcohol and other drugs. Members of SALSA facilitate a program with discussion and activities as drug-free role models to Middle School students.

Sun Safety Program (SunAWARE)

The SunAWARE Children's Program is designed to teach children and their caretakers about skin cancer prevention and sun protection. Foundation educators visit the Thayer Middle School students annually and present an interactive, standard-based, cross-curricular program. (http://www.melanomaprevention.org/)