Milken Mini Stories: School Walkout, Scotch and Steak, Health and Wellness

 

Milken students participated in the National School Walkout on Wednesday, March 14, joining thousands of other students nationwide protesting against gun violence and school shootings. Head of School Gary Weisserman addressed Upper School students at a Town Meeting prior to the walkout. He recounted the shooting death of a student during his first year of teaching, how many more gun related student deaths followed, and the impact it continues to have on him to this day. He closed by reading the names of the 17 people killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. At 10:00 AM, students had the option to walk up to the parking lot, where they remained for 17 minutes — one minute for each of the students and faculty who lost their lives in Parkland. After the walkout, students could attend various workshops on topics such as digital advocacy, social media and mental health, and leadership and social change movements.

 

“The entire program was about creating a space for conversation about the issue of safety, community, and accountability,” said Director of Counseling Whitney Fisch. “We wanted to create opportunity for students to explore what advocacy looked like in US history while also giving them space to process their feelings about the issues and the day.”

 

At the Middle School, the optional walkout was led by five students who organized and facilitated a program that included a moment of silence, the reading of the 17 names, and sharing of student reflections. Prior to the Walkout, Humanities classes discussed the complexity of gun issues and the nature and history of protests.

 

Around 30 people came out to enjoy a fun evening at the recent “Passover Leaders’ Workshop: Scotch, Steak, and Seder Success” held at Gary and Dolly Weisserman’s home on March 5. Attendees mixed and mingled and sampled a variety of scotches and a delicious steak dinner buffet catered by Tarte Catering. The focus of the evening was on how to lead a great Passover seder. Participants learned about organizing the seder according to the Milken Four CUPS—making the seder Creative, Unique, Personal, and Substantive. Participants heard from several speakers. Organizer, Middle School Rabbi Aaron Finkelstein, described the seder as a multi-sensory creative experience which can engage learners through a variety of sights, smells, food and themes. Rabbinic Director Rabbi Gordon Bernat-Kunin explained how to make each seder unique by focusing on the learners who are coming together around the table. Head of School Gary Weisserman reflected about the power of games to spark learning, and Upper School Rabbi David Saiger spoke about using the seder as a time to discuss important life questions. Participants came away with many fresh ideas on how to lead their seders and each one received a laser cut bookmark that was made in the Middle School makerspace, with the Milken “Four CUPS” to use at their seders.

 

“This was an amazing event because it combined three wonderful elements: community building among parents, food and joy, and deep substantive learning,” remarked Finkelstein. “We hope this becomes a tradition at Milken!”

 

The Upper School celebrated Health and Wellness Week March 12-16. Director of Counseling Whitney Fisch said she started Health and Wellness week to provide a forum and safe space for students to discuss mental health. “I want to create a space where students don't have to feel judged or nervous about talking about mental health issues and seeking help for their mental health struggles,” said Fisch. “I also want students to know that mental health is just as important as physical health and that there are many different, positive ways to address their mental health needs.”

 

The week was student led with lunchtime activities, discussions, and programs designed and executed by students. “Bully Prevention,” a discussion with student volunteers from Teen Line, a nonprofit help hotline for teens were among the sessions students could attend. In the amphitheater, students could place positive sentiments in a positivity jar or add to the compliment chain made of positive notes. At the end of the week, a Town Meeting was held to introduce Bring Change 2 Mind (BC2M), a new mental health awareness club on campus. A health and wellness fair followed, with 18 organizations and individuals who serve the mental health needs of adolescents including Planned Parenthood and Mindfulness LA attending.

 

Sydney Schroeder ’19, who lead the BC2M activities, which included the positivity jars and the “Light It Up” activity— which highlighted how prevalent mental illness is— during The Town Meeting, remarked, “Mental health awareness week reinforced to me how thankful I am for my community that we talk about mental health as much as our physical health.”