The ARC Program

The ARC Program Mercy works to understand anxiety, build resilience, and achieve balance in our community

Mercy’s grounding in the Catholic faith has infused the school with an acute awareness of the dignity of every person. Our cultural value of appreciating the unique essence and gifts of each student compels us to evolve in our understanding of their joys and challenges. So, as we face growing concern over worrying national statistics as well as our own observations about teen mental health, Mercy has launched a school-wide initiative called the ARC Program.

Last year, Mercy Leadership began to have more serious discussions about student anxiety. Teachers noticed more students talking about having anxiety and selfreported panic attacks. At the same time, they saw students wanting to be “perfect” academically, feeling that they had to get an A on every assignment. As a school that values and emphasizes the learning process as well as the outcome, faculty were concerned that students were less motivated to learn, with more of a desire to just figure out how to get an A.

At that time, Campus Minister and Religion Department Chair Angie Simonetti put out a call to any faculty interested in reading a newly published book: “Enough as She Is” by Rachel Simmons, about the complex factors contributing to mental health issues in adolescent girls. Discussions at that book club eventually led to more formal and strategic meetings with Mercy Leadership about ways to support our students, and the ARC Committee was born.

“ARC is a metaphor. It encompasses the idea that our students are on an arc in their lives, and that we accompany them much like Noah shepherded those on the Ark. We are all in this together; sailing, guiding and supporting the girls toward their goals. It is both the image of an arc and the community that was formed on the Ark.” —Sandy Flaherty, Director of Mission and Catholic Identity The ARC Committee began by collecting input and observations, and looking at student needs. It is simultaneously a think tank, reflection and action group. They discuss what qualitative and quantitative information would be helpful to inform school decisions - student and parent surveys, for example - and act to gather the insights needed. They have included the faculty in several discussions, and will continue to broaden the scope of research and exploration.

An important goal of the ARC Program is to help students understand and reframe anxiety in order to teach them recognition and coping skills. A good place to start is a discussion around “healthy stress,’’ says Lauren Conklin, Assistant Head of School for Academics. “We, as teachers and parents, have the power to help our students learn to deal with distress about typical experiences, like tests, by normalizing those feelings and responding to them appropriately.” Teaching students to develop healthy coping strategies to deal with anxiety around daily experiences empowers them, instilling confidence and a strong, reflective sense of self.

Resilience is at the heart of this goal. As defining traits of the Sisters of Mercy, the qualities of resilience and courage go all the way back to our foundress Catherine McAuley. Recent research is indicating that girls are not building resilience because they refuse to fail, and instead choose things that they are confident they will be successful in. This lessens creativity, innovation, and responsibility. “To build resilience, we need to create an environment where students can fail but aren’t crushed by failure,” says

ARC Committee pictured above left to right: Kelsey Connolly ‘12 - Religion Teacher; Sandy Flaherty - Director of Mission and Catholic Identity, Religion Teacher; Lauren Conklin - Assistant Head of School for Academics; Joy Phillips - Wellness Counselor; Angie Simonetti - Campus Minister, Religion Department Chair; Claire Rietmann-Grout ‘04 - Assistant Head of School for Student Life;Amaré Silva ‘12 - Advancement Event & Parent Coordinator; Elisabeth Franco - Counselor; Not pictured: Francesca Ohannessian - College Counselor; Caroline O’Sullivan - Counselor

Angie. “We have to maintain safe spaces and opportunities for students to fail and pick themselves back up again. This idea is something we continue to work on through the ARC Committee and in our academics.”

The ARC Program is an ongoing process and dialogue between faculty, students, and parents. Mercy is looking forward to listening, discussing, and evolving as we develop ways to support our Mercy Girls - past, present, and future. There is no roadmap, but in the true spirit of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy, we will blaze a path with love, compassion, and courage.

“Building resilience comes with learning to deal with failures and disappointments. A courageous person goes out and takes action she believes in, even if she might fail. ” —Angie Simonetti, Campus Minister, Religion Department Chair

“We’re all passionate about supporting girls and coming at it from different angles. It’s exciting to collaborate and create a bigger picture of an atmosphere where students face fewer impediments to learning. If kids are calmer, they learn better! ” —Joy Phillips, Wellness Counselor

ARC in Action

To address the challenges our girls face, ARC has encouraged a holistic approach to better support students. While taking a proactive approach to mental health looks different in each department, ARC unites the school’s efforts and keeps the broad, strategic goals in mind.

In exploring what “mindfulness” might look like in our Catholic School, space was created for meditation that would fit our culture. Angie Simonetti provides the guidance for the Mercy Effect – a meditation the school does every Friday morning.

ARC facilitated faculty meetings looking at best practices involving homework. Each department developed a review of their unique requirements and expectations, exploring how adjustments in assigning homework could improve the effectiveness of student learning.

Faculty members held discussions about the seniors’ summer reading book, “Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be”, by Frank Bruni. In an eff ort to humanize the college admissions process, the counselors aim for students to look for the best fit for them in terms of programs and environment.

Evidence has shown that students’ constant access to grades heightens anxiety. ARC members worked with our registrar to turn off pop-up notifications of graded assignments, so that students can focus on their learning in class.

What can we do?

Perhaps one of the most bewildering questions that this issue raises is, “What can we do?” Teenagers are all unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all program, action, or fix for anxiety. But there are some things to consider that can make a difference for young people:

• Keep the BIG goals in mind: health, happiness, and a meaningful, fulfilling life.

• Help to facilitate positive connections with their peers, family, and the larger community, as connecting through activities can combat f eelings of loneliness and isolation.

• Put discussions about grades in the context of their learning and educational career.

• Spend time listening to what is important to your student and enjoy positive time together doing something fun or enjoyable.

• Help them get enough rest - students are able to learn more effectively and better process emotions when they are well rested.

ARC is working with the Counseling and Religion Departments to develop a 4-year curriculum that weaves meaningful discussion of mental health into a Mercy education. Topics will include finding peace through calming exercises, learning about healthy relationships, and responsible use of technology.