Schools

Westfield High Launches 'GIRL THING 2013'

The slogan this year is "Girls Gone Wild…For a Good Cause."

“The Girl Thing 2013” series at Westfield High School kicks off on April 8 and runs through April 12. The slogan this year is “Girls Gone Wild…For a Good Cause.” Sessions on eating disorders, dating, and other topics will be addressed  during lunch periods. The program is a supplemental and popular addition to the High School’s health curriculum. Health educator, Susan Kolesar, states, “This is something positive in which students support students. It breaks the “Mean Girls” mold we are so accustomed to hearing about.” Two of the sessions are open to male students as well.

“At the heart of the program is ‘What I Wish I Knew Then…’ letters written by seniors for freshman girls,” explains Kolesar. All senior girls were invited to write anonymous letters to the underclassman about their experiences over the last four years at Westfield High School. They were free to write about whatever topic they wanted. “We hope they help the younger students make healthy choices during their time at Westfield High School and beyond.  Another benefit of the letters is that they give an outlet to the senior girls to tell their stories anonymously. It gives them a voice. It gives their experiences, often painful ones, a chance to help someone else. It can be very therapeutic for them,” added Kolesar.

Something new this year will be a visit by pyschotherapist Danna Markson, LCSW, MSW, who will educate students about recognizing, treating, and recovering from eating disorders. Students will be viewing clips from the documentary “Someday Melissa” and discussing ways to improve body image. Parents can find out more about the movie or order it on-line at www.somedaymelissa.org. It was co-produced by Markson along with Judy Avrin, whose daughter Melissa lost her life in 2009 at the age of nineteen after a long struggle with bulimia.

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Students may sign-up for whichever of the five sessions they would like to attend. A week prior to the event, The Girl Thing table will be distributing passes outside of the cafeteria during lunchtime.  If students wish to attend a session but are assigned to a class that period, they are required to have their teacher sign the pass prior to attending. Freshman will be given advanced opportunity to obtain passes on April 2. On April 3 and 4, all grade levels will be allowed to obtain the remaining passes.


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