Please read the article entitled Teenagers and Risk Taking at Camp by Ann Woods and answer the following questions:
1. What unhealthy risk taking do we see at WLHS? Speak in general terms, no specific names of students please.
2. What are the signs of negative risk taking?
3. How would you deal with a friend who is engaged in negative risk taking?
4. What are positive risk taking activities we should promote at WLHS?
Post your response to these questions and make at least two comments on your classmate's post please.
1. Unhealthy examples that I see at WLHS are drinking alcohol, smoking, and participating in unsafe activities like parties. Some other examples of unhealthy risk taking that I see at WLHS are skipping their schoolwork to participate in other activities that should not be as much as of a priority as school.
ReplyDelete2. The signs of negative risk taking are things that happen multiple times or clusters rather than just one incident. If they are doing anything that is unsafe for their well being or health than it could be a sign of negative risk-taking. Alcohol use, taking drugs, bullying, violence toward others, body mutilations, eating disorders, and sexual promiscuity are all signs of negative risk-taking.
3. If I saw a friend that was engaging in negative risk-taking activities I would first talk to them friend to friend to see why they are doing it and see if I could talk them out of it in any kind of way. If that did not work I would go talk to an appropriate staff member of the school and tell them what is wrong and ask them what I should do. Then I would take the steps that they gave me into action.
4. Positive risk-taking activities that we should promote at WLHS are activities like health and personal fitness. You can never go wrong by promoting activities like school sports or working out. Another positive activity that WLHS should promote is social gatherings where students get together and potentially make new friends, like going to basketball game and having school spirit. Clubs are essential for WLHS to promote because students can make new friends that have the same interests has them, this way they would be less insecure about themselves and be more confident. Educational field trips could also be another positive risk-taking activity that students would enjoy, they could explore their interests outside of school in a safe environment.
I definitely agree with you on number three on talking to that person friend to friend. I think that's really important instead of lecturing them like a parent would. And I like how you added the educational field trips; WLHS should start doing more of those because everyone would for sure enjoy them all while being educated
DeleteI agree with what you said in #4. Something like a buddy day for 8th grade students would be great too! It would give middle school students a sense of what WLHS is would help them feel safe and steer them away from negative risk taking, eliminating it in 8th grade before it reaches WLHS.
DeleteSome unhealthy risks I see are students trying drugs just to “be cool,” drink at parties just to impress people, girls trying to starve themselves to try to lose weight, engage in unsafe sexual activity even if they’re not ready/ mature enough, and cyberbullying through popular media sites.
ReplyDeleteThe signs of negative risk taking “is not one isolated incident.” It comes in a series of actions that can detrimental to one’s own health. These actions can include abusing alcohol, eating disorders, bullying & violence, or doing drugs
If I had a friend who is engaged in negative risk taking, I would be subtle and seem neutral about the situation. I would calmly ask them to explain their reasoning for it and then just let them know that it’s their life, but know the consequences. I would avoid lecturing them or yelling at them. However, if that negative risk is super unsafe I would go to an adult that they trust and let them know what’s going on
Some positive risk taking activities we should promote at WLHS should deal with opportunities. We should have clubs and classes that deal with trying out something new with someone new. For example, there could be a club in which all the students make a big bucket list (of school appropriate things like iceskating, going to a trampoline park, take a homeless person to dinner, etc). And their goal would be to all complete the things on the list before the school year ends. This would be a great way to try out new things and would allow many people to step out of their comfort zones and actually experience all the other exciting things in life other than alcohol or drugs. Another thing could be to have an internship class in which students get to go out in the real world and job shadow a career they would want to go into.
What you said in #4 was great! Not only would it help students have fun and create goals but it would keep them in a positive controlled setting where the opportunity for negative risk taking would be diminished.
DeleteI absolutely loved how you said you would refrain from lecturing and would instead engage in a calm, comfortable conversation with them. One wouldn't be able to get through to another person any other way! I also love your ideas in number four, and they would indeed be great opportunities for students.
DeleteI agree with what you said about how you would deal with your friend. Talking to them calmly and try to ask them for a reasoning, if it is a big problem them I would bring in an adult in as well. Also I agree with the strategies of promoting positive risk taking by creating clubs and classes.
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ReplyDelete1.Unhealthy risk taking I see at WLHS is using drugs such as marijuana, pills, and recently cocaine. Although parties are not held very often in our town there is still a large amount of drinking that goes on. Aside from substances, some unhealthy risks are not caring about education and sexting/sexual activities.
ReplyDelete2.The signs of negative risk taking come in clusters. It is not one single incident. To look deeper into negative risk taking in an individual you must study their actions. Common negative risk taking is alcohol abuse, self-mutilation, eating disorders, drugs, sexual promiscuity and bullying.
3.If a friend of mine was engaging in negative risk taking I would first plan out how I was going to address it. By talking to a person and giving them a sense of comfort they will be more likely to face their problems and correct them. Reassurance and a firm loyal friend can get an individual through more than you think. However, if the situation was serious and they were in danger I would seek help from an expert.
4.Some positive risk taking activities we should encourage at WLHS in my point of view are large group collaboration, open mics, and small group talks to help students who may have things on their mind feel secure and have a safe environment to talk about personal matters that may be affecting them. I also think we should create after school clubs to sway students from going out after school and practicing negative risk taking. Electives that are student designed and based on adolescents hobbies and likes would be a fun, but educational way for students to want to come to school and have a different mindset about WLHS.
I like what you said in number 3 - It would be a wise move to notify an expert in that case. Even if that friend would resent you, they will ultimately see you as their hero.
DeleteI agree with you on the way to handle the situation if a friend was taking negative risks. I know having a loyal friend there for me to help me through my problems would make things easier, and help me to get on the right track again.
DeleteI agree with you thought on having electives that are student designed and based on their hobbies. this could help the students meet new people that can help them become their own person.
DeleteI like the way you would handle a situation if a friend of yours was taking part in a negative risk taking activity. It is important to plan ahead what you would say to them, especially if it is a sensitive topic, because what you say and how you say it can really affect a person. Comfort and loyalty is what a friend needs and I know that would help me get through things as well.
Delete1. The same risk taking that we'd see anywhere else. There will always be rebels, just as there will always be the compliant ones. There are plenty of students engaged in the drug world, getting their hands on generous sums of alcohol, failing to protect themselves during intercourse, "sleeping around," and the list goes on. These problems exist for WLHS, but we're not special or unique in regards to any of them.
ReplyDelete2. It is a serious of actions; a cluster rather than individual events/symptoms.
3. What would the behavior be? If the line of moderation crosses into an unhealthy habit, then I would have a deep yet comfortable conversation with them about it. I have no control over the lives of my friend's, however as a friend, it would be my duty to protect them when they fail to protect themselves. If it were a serious issue and even moderation would afflict them - whether it be their dignity or physical affliction - then I would have that deep, comfortable conversation the moment I find out.
4. We are doing a great job as we have a multitude of clubs open to individuals interested in them. If we were to advertise volunteer opportunities that are around town in the same way that we advertise those clubs, I believe that would be an incredible, positive "risk-take." Especially since we students need a certain amount of hours to graduate, I reckon plenty of them will be interested. The same could be done for advertising available jobs around town for students interested. As far as actual school activities go, social interaction should be a strong focus as there are plenty of students who will soon leave high school without sufficient communication skills. How about an activity where students who hold the same interests work together to create some type of project on it? This will really get people talking. The individuals would be interested and passionate about whatever it is they're talking about, able to make friends with a complete stranger when their familiar minds meet, adding to their confidence and communication skills - and they make a few friends.
I agree with you on number 3, I know we have no control over out friends lives, but we would do anything to help them and protect them when they are doing something stupid we know they shouldn't be doing, but all we can really do is talk with them to try and get them to realize what they are doing can really hurt them and try to get them to stop.
Delete1. Outside of school kids at WLHS participate in activities such as drinking and smoking marijuana. Such activities may lead to some unhealthy habits during school such as skipping class, coming to class unprepared, and talking back to teachers.
ReplyDelete2. According to Dr. Ponton, signs of negative risk taking comes in clusters. At WLHS these signs include grades slipping, uncompleted homework assignments night after night, and skipping school to things as severe as eating disorders, bullying, self-harm, and drug abuse.
3. I actually had an experience before where a friend was partaking in self harm. I talked to her about the consequences of doing such a thing and how it is harmful to her body both emotionally and physically. She told me in confidence but because I care about her I talked to a guidance counsellor about it and they helped her get through it. She never harmed herself again. Telling an adult about negative risk taking is never a bad thing--especially one you trust. Teens are often scared of confronting an adult about a friend's situation because they don't want to be a "snitch" or lose a friend's trust. Typically what they'll do is try to handle the situation them-self which may make things worse. The best option is to always take it up to an adult or a professional because they will know what to do. Sometimes, if a situation is simple, you can talk the friend into the right choice, but otherwise, telling an adult is the best way to go and I would rather know that my friend is safe and take the consequence of snitching later versus keeping quiet which can lead to something worse happening and live with the guilt that I could have done something to help.
4. Some positive risk taking we should promote at WLHS are sports, clubs, dances, basketball games, and helping out the community. Kids could also get their friends together for a night to cook dinner, or set up some homework sessions.
1. Unhealthy risks we can see at Windsor Locks High School is students doing whatever they can to be "cool" or fit in with what they think is the popular crowd. These students trying to fit in will go to parties to drink and smoke. I also see cyber bullying on popular social media sites.
ReplyDelete2. Signs of negative risk taking come in clusters. Doing anything that is unsafe for their well being or health is a sign of negative risk talking. Some signs include alcohol use, drug use, bullying, eating disorders and violence towards others.
3. How I would deal with a friend who is engaging in negative risk taking is first talk with them to see if anything is going on in their personal life that could be stressing them out. Anything stress related could cause them to act out in a way that they usually don't. Once I talk to them about anything that could be stressing them out I then would see if I can help them with the problems that they are facing to help them turn away from doing taking part in negative risk taking.
4. Positive risk taking activities we should promote at Windsor Locks High School is stress free day, where students can watch movies, do activities outside or in the gym. Also we could do a day where it is a bunch of team bonding with all students and teachers. With team bonding students can find new friends, and see what teachers they can be close with so when they have a problem they a trustworthy adult they can turn to for help. It would be a positive way for everyone to get along with each other.
I liked what you said in number 4 about team bonding because that is what students need to have. they should be able to feel like they are close with people that they can trust.
DeleteI like how in number three, you said you would first find out if anything in life is stressing them out. I think that's definitely a really good way to approach them because stress is a factor many people seem to forget about when dealing with situations like that
DeleteI really like the idea of a stress free day at WLHS. Too many times they have field days where you have to meet incentives and that causes more stress. A stress free day would give everyone the opportunity to meet new friends and engage in positive risk taking.
Deletei agree with what you said about negative risk taking. i definitely think that people do stupid things just to try and be "cool" or to fit in
DeleteI agree, trying to fit in is a big concern of many students. We should make it so everyone feels comfortable expressing who they are, knowing they'll be accepted regardless.
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ReplyDeleteAt WLHS you see many unhealthy risk-taking actions every day such as, alcohol abuse, smoking tobacco, and using drugs. This then leads to students not caring for school at all and in turn keeps them on their unhealthy path. For some it is just a way for them to try and fit in by following role models that aren’t the best for them if they don’t know wrong from right.
ReplyDeleteSigns of negative risk taking are on more than one occasion the risk taker is doing an action that can be dangerous to their health. Simple examples such as drinking alcohol, eating disorders, or bullying. If these do take a place someone needs to find a solution to their problem.
If I had a friend who was a negative risk taker, then I would first differ between how bad the risk is from them. I would figure out why they are doing these actions, and then I would want them to stop those actions by talking them into seeing why what they are doing is wrong. Once I have tried that and it that and it hasn’t worked I would go to a faculty member and tell them what has been happening and what I have done about it. Then would ask for their output and how to take care of the situation and use those steps to resolve the risk taking actions of my friend.
WLHS should encourage more positive risk taking activities to help students that are having troubles with figuring out how to be their own person. School sports teams, and clubs are a great way to get students involved for their health and to make new friends. Being a part of something might make them feel like they fit in to something they enjoy. Maybe if you do not participate in a club or team event maybe go and support them and cheer them on for school spirit. Or going out into the community and helping the less fortunate. Using some of these options to go make friends that will get you to be your own person is what is the most essential part of the whole process.
I agree with you that joining clubs and sports are a good way to get involved and enforce positive risk taking. There are a lot of clubs at this school that students do not even know about.
DeleteUnhealthy risk taking that we see in WLHS are drinking, doing drugs, etc. It seems as though they don't really care about how it really affects them.
ReplyDeleteThe signs of negative risk taking comes in clusters. It doesn't really happen once, but over a period of time.
If I had a friend who was a negative risk taker, I would talk to them about it. I would let them know about the consequences about their actions and encourage them to receive help from a guidance counselor or teacher.
Positive risk taking activities that should be promoted at WLHS are activities that brings people together. Fun activities that might make new friendships.
I like your idea of bridging gaps in the student body and building up friendships. I think it would create a more positive environment at WLHS
DeleteI agree with your idea to bring people together at activities promoted by WLHS. That is very a good way for students to participate in positive risk taking activities
Delete1. Some unhealthy risk taking activities that we see at Windsor Locks High School is kids doing whatever they need to do to fit in with the cool crowd. This can be either abuse of drugs and alcohol in and out of school. Some kids go to school high or drunk, this causes the students to struggle in school by skipping class, not even coming to school, and falling back in their studies.
ReplyDelete2. Negative risk taking comes in clusters. A series of actions that danger your health such as first you start drinking and then you start to drink all the time causing one to be depressed. It is not only depression though, other factors can come in hand just like eating disorders.
3. If my friend was engaged in negative risk taking actions I would try to be their friend and not try to convince them that they are doing something wrong. Then I would try to figure out why they are engaging in those actions. But to make them feel comfortable I would just talk to them and not pressure them into talking about it or try to get them down on themselves. If the situation continued then I would try to help them in a comfortable way.
4. Some things that Windsor Locks High School could do to help and enforce positive risk taking is an after school program that meets and that would be a group of people who would want to talking about their situations or even just listen. Have a helping hand through the situation. Also be more strict on bullying. They always tell the students not to bully but when something gets reported they do not do that much about it. Look online because there is so much online bullying that does not get noticed.
i liked your idea about after school programs to help with students and situations in life. i shared this same view
DeleteThere are many examples of unhealthy risk taking in WLHS. Some examples would be students experimenting with drugs, drinking alcohol, having unprotected sex, and other things such as getting into bad habits of swearing, slacking off during work, or even practicing a bad diet. Although some of these things are not as bad the others, they are still each examples of unhealthy risk taking.
ReplyDeleteSigns of negative risk taking would be kids starting to get into a bad habit, like going from only one drink can turn into many many more, and that can become depression
If i were to see a friend engaged in negative risk taking, i would confront them about it. i would talk to them about stopping what they're doing, and asking them about why they thought they should be doing what they are doing. i would try to convince them to stop.
Positive risk taking activities that we should promote in WLHS would be trying to make groups to stop bullying, and groups after school, where people could open up and talk to each other about the issues that they might have. they could talk about struggles they might be having with negative risk taking, or issues that they might be having at home or in school. this would help better the school community.
1. One negative risk taken at WLHS is laziness when it comes to school work. Many students lean on teachers forgiveness or retakes to get the grades they want. Many students simply don't do the assigned work, and wonder why their grade suffers so much. This can circle all the way into their future, creating a sloppy work ethic.
ReplyDelete2. Negative risks almost always come in clusters, not specific behaviors. It acts like a cycle.
3. If one of my friends were involved in negative risk taking behaviors such as drug use, I would start off by assessing how dangerous the situation is for them. If they are in an immediate, life threatening situation, sometimes the best option is to tell an adult, counselor. But more often than not, it's better to talk it through and hopefully show them that their actions are not benefiting them and their future, and help them through the process of making better decisions.
4. One positive behavior we should promote at WLHS is an interest in career opportunities and other hands on learning experiences. The ELO program is a great program that can show students if the field they think they want to go in is actually for them. It's been a really positive and helpful experience for me, and I think it could be for others too.
I like what you said about ELO in number 4, I think that is a really good program that could help a lot of kids.
DeleteI like how you mention the cycle that comes with negitive risks
Delete1.Some examples of risk taking that go on at Windsor Locks High School include using drugs, drinking alcohol and engaging in unsafe sexual activity. Some students also tend to slack off and not complete their school work
ReplyDelete2. signs of negative risk taking happens when you notice something that is unhealthy or unsafe happening continually over a period of time, things such as doing drugs or drinking.
3. If I found out one of my friends was engaging in negative risk taking I would talk to them about it in a casual sort of way, I wouldn’t want them to feel like I’m against them. I would calmly try to help them figure out a way that they could stop. If It was something that I could not handle myself, I would find the right person to ask for help.
4. WLHS could promote healthy risk taking activities by hosting things that bring kids together in ways that they enjoy. Not all kids like the same things so we would have to ask the students what they would want to do because if the kids aren’t interested in it they aren’t going to want to go.
I like what you said about the peer to peer mediation
DeleteSome unhealthy risks I see at WLHS are:
ReplyDeleteMarijuana, Vaping, Drinking, Unprotected Sex, Partying, Frivolous Dating, Bad Eating Habits, Laziness, Spending Money Quickly, Cursing, Bad Attitudes and Not Caring About Their Studies.
The Signs they are Participating in these risks are:
Frequently Partying, Quickly Running out of/asking for money, Grades Dropping, Always being out, Acting differently,and of course the obvious Physical Signs of being drunk or high.
In order to help a friend, you have to tell an adult. Which should be a parent or counselor.
Positive risk Taking would be like joining a new club or sport or anything healthy that taking you out of your initial comfort zone.