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Spartans PAUSE logo, which consists of the school logo with a stylized

 

Spartans PAUSE Student Wellness Initiativesupporting student wellness by providing a variety of health-promoting activities to all students on a monthly basis

What is spartans pause?

What is spartans pause?

Funded by the PTSA, Spartans PAUSE is an ongoing collaboration among the student ambassadors, staff, advisors, and community volunteers. It strives to create a positive and welcoming culture on campus focused on wellness so that students may feel connected and supported, and learn to develop life skills that will serve them beyond the school years, including practicing self-care, balancing work and play, creating healthy relationships, and strengthening their sense of connection, belonging, and community involvement.
 
On a select Friday each month during the school year, students are greeted in the morning with healthy snacks, and a few activities are offered during lunch. The PAUSE team tries to choose inclusive activities in which all students may participate. Some past examples include:
  • Giant bubbles
  • Lawn games
  • Fruit-infused water, hot chocolate
  • Therapy dogs
  • Decorating grocery bags for Hope's Corner
  • Making self-care kits, friendship bracelets, stress balls
  • Chair and hand massages
  • Pumpkin decorating
  • Live music
  • Playing with farm animals
  • Ukulele circle
  • Rock painting
  • Yoga

Check out the Spartans PAUSE YouTube Channel to view videos created over the years!
 
Goals

  • Empower youth to be advocates for their health
  • Help eliminate the stigma of seeking help 
  • Offer a community that cares and supports
  • Increase connections on campus 
  • Provide students with self-care tips and wellness tools
 
2023-24 PAUSE Days

  • Aug. 25, 2023
  • Sep. 22, 2023
  • Oct. 27, 2023
  • Nov. 17, 2023
  • Dec. 15, 2023
  • Feb. 2 & 16, 2024 
  • Apr. 26, 2024*
  • May 24, 2024
 
*The Out of the Darkness Walk takes place in March, so there is no PAUSE Day in that month.

How to Be Involved

  • If you would like to receive periodic updates, be sure to log into your account on ParentSquare.com and join the Spartans PAUSE Wellness Program group
  • Designed by MVHS counselors, the Virtual Calming Room is here to help you with different strategies and tools for managing your emotions.    
  • If you'd like to take a more active role, volunteers are needed to support the program on monthly PAUSE days throughout the year. Please reach out to us!
  • In addition, the MVHS “PAWs" certified therapy dogs and their owners help spread joy during the school year. Let us know if you have a gentle dog you'd like to certify as a therapy pet! 

Questions? Please contact SpartansPause@gmail.com

The Spartans PAUSE Community Include:

  • Spartans PAUSE Co-Chairs Tammie Choi and Jeannie Tsai, and the Spartans PAUSE Team
  • Ms. Camarillo (Student Ambassador Advisor) and the MVHS Student Ambassadors
  • MVHS PTSA (Parent Teacher Student Association)
  • Others who care about student wellness
 
In the foreground, a tower of stones reaches up from a beach. In the background is an expanse of green water under a deep blue sky.
 

“Self-care means giving yourself permission to PAUSE.”

                                                                     —Cecilia Tran

De-stressing

De-stressing

PAUSE Themes

PAUSE Themes

The motto for Spartans PAUSE is, "PAUSE and TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF." The monthly PAUSE events try to support one of the five PAUSE themes: "PLAY," "EAT," "RELAX," "CONNECT" and "HELP."When days are challenging, consider pausing to try a few of these strategies. PAUSE and TAKE TIME TO . . .

  • PLAY: Move. Take a walk. Play a game.
  • EAT: Nourish yourself. Have a snack.
  • RELAX: Meditate. Listen to music. Rest.
  • CONNECT: Talk to someone you trust.
  • HELP: Volunteer or help someone else.
grounding exercise

grounding exercise

When you feel overwhelmed, identify and name ...
5 things you see
4 things you feel
3 things you hear
2 things you smell
1 thing you taste
 
Practice Wellness With Sparty

Practice Wellness With Sparty