MMHS 'Hope Week' Brings New Meaning To School Spirit

This week, students at Mashpee Middle-High School celebrated a special kind of spirit week: Hope Week. Courtesy of the school’s Hope Squad, Hope Week highlights themes of mental health awareness and brings the school community together for a new spin on school spirit, with wellness at the forefront.

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The Hope Squad “consists of peer-nominated students who meet regularly with trained advisers,” said Deana Crowther, school adjustment counselor. School counselors such as Ms. Crowther are specially trained to talk about suicide awareness and mental health with students and staff. Counselors then help train students on the Hope Squad to recognize signs of distress and teach them an action plan on how to help direct those in distress to the appropriate resources.

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“Our advisers underwent training over the summer and are teaching the students throughout the year using the Hope Squad curriculum,” Ms. Crowther said.

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Hope Squad members are also educated on mental health, recognizing signs of distress, and connecting their peers to help, support and hope, Ms. Crowther said. Essentially, the group works to promote mental health awareness and spread messages of hope to the Mashpee Public Schools community.

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“Here at MMHS, the Hope Squad meets regularly with trained advisers, to talk and learn about suicide awareness and mental health,” said Consuelo Carroll, outreach coordinator at MPS. “Members are trained to note signs of distress and reach out, connecting peers to help and hope.”

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Hope Week

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Ms. Crowther said this is the first year Mashpee’s middle school students are celebrating Hope Week.

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“We are enthusiastic about making a positive impact,” Ms. Crowther said, adding that “Hope Week is more than just a spirit week.”

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Ms. Carroll echoed that sentiment, saying, “Hope Week covers more than just a school spirit week; it provides a reminder that you are not alone. In every classroom, students and teachers are facing battles with mental health constantly, impacting the way people think, act and feel.”

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In celebration of Hope Week, the school organized various activities during lunch periods “to help educate the entire student body, reduce stigma, and foster a supportive school culture.”

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Each day of the week had a different theme, Ms. Crowther said. On Monday, February 10, students celebrated “Shade Out Suicide” day by wearing sunglasses to school. On Tuesday, students were encouraged to celebrate “Be Comfortable With Ourselves” day and wear pajamas. On Wednesday, the Hope Squad encouraged students to wear their favorite sports team or school club apparel, to take part in “We’re All In This Together” day. Seventh and 8th grade students came to school decked out in yellow in recognition of suicide prevention for the “Day Of Hope” on Thursday. Today was “Spread The Love” day, during which students were encouraged to wear pink and red.

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Originally published at https://www.capenews.net/mashpee/news/mmhs-hope-week-brings-new-meaning-to-school-spirit/article_53679866-e975-11ef-bae2-8b3d7c62fd3c.html