Getting Serious About FUN AND HAPPINESS

Pinewood's Week of Happiness Celebration

Sometimes, students get overwhelmed and so concerned with academics that they carry too much stress with them. Pinewood’s Wellness Committee wants to help students remember to experience joy and have some fun! This past February, the entire school celebrated the Week of Happiness and helped students be in the moment and be more mindful.

Upper Campus kicked off the week with a visit from Animal Assisted Happiness during lunch to help students de-stress. Chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs and a goat came to visit campus by the front office. Students were delighted and pleasantly surprised: “I had so much fun petting all the various animals–the rabbits were especially soft and furry. It was an amazing experience that added to the wonderful atmosphere of happiness week,” said sophomore Michael B. Other activities at Upper Campus included smile cookies courtesy of Epicurean, mindfulness coloring, bracelet making, and boba tea for all on Friday. Staff and faculty also enjoyed a coffee cart and daily raffle to win a free lunch from DoorDash.

Lower and Middle Campuses joined in the fun as well. Lunch recess was full of crayons and bubbles on picnic tables, followed by smile cookies and lunch recess dog visits in the garden. And students got their wiggles out Thursday morning with a “Drop Everything and Dance” activity. Teachers joined in the fun, wearing jeans all week, sipping on Italian sodas, and being showered each day with quotes and thought reminders about happiness and positivity. “The goal of the week was to focus on helping teachers and students feel and experience happiness. We offered a variety of activities so that students not only had fun and experienced joy, but also discovered that doing something kind for someone else can bring happiness,” explains Marianne Griffiths, K-12 Learning Specialist and member of the Wellness Committee.

And as the end of the year comes into focus, it’s important to remember to be mindful, take breaks, and have some fun. •

Upper Campus students unwind as they cuddle up with some fluffy friends during a visit from Animal Assisted Happiness. >