Therapy Dog Visit: Supporting Social-Emotional Learning
We were thrilled to welcome Hank, a gentle golden retriever therapy dog and his handler Laurina to Academics West. Hank visited classrooms from our youngest to oldest cohorts, offering students a calming, structured opportunity to engage in animal-assisted emotional support. Each class spent approximately ten minutes with Hank, following a thoughtful routine that supported emotional regulation and respect for boundaries. Students remained at their desks while Laurina introduced Hank, then were invited one by one to interact with him. These moments fostered mindfulness, empathy, and self-control key components of social-emotional learning and executive functioning. Therapy dog visits are one of the many ways Academics West integrates wellness into the school day, helping students feel grounded, supported, and ready to learn.
National Rubber Ducky Day: Encouraging Exploration and Executive Functioning
In celebration of National Rubber Ducky Day, our school transformed into a playful scavenger hunt experience. After dismissal the day before, dozens of rubber duckies were hidden throughout the school for students to find during the following day. Students picked up scavenger hunt sheets at the front desk, identifying each duck’s location while leaving the duck in place for others to discover. This optional activity encouraged planning, attention to detail, and task completion all essential executive functioning skills while keeping the experience lighthearted and fun. To support accessibility, teachers were encouraged to provide time during CIA periods or free blocks for students who wanted to participate. Prizes were awarded based on participation milestones, reinforcing motivation and follow-through without competition.
Mentorship Jeopardy: Collaboration and Leadership in Actio
During Friday’s mentorship period, students participated in a school-wide Jeopardy-style trivia game designed to strengthen teamwork and peer connection. Mentorship groups were divided into teams, encouraging collaboration, communication, and shared decision-making. Games were hosted across multiple spaces, with staff facilitators guiding each room. With no prizes at stake, the focus remained on participation, problem-solving, and having fun together. Students who finished early selected board games to continue building social connections in a relaxed setting. Mentorship programming at Academics West provides students with consistent opportunities to practice leadership, cooperation, and flexible thinking in a supportive environment.
Dungeons & Dragons Club: Creativity, Strategy, and Social Skills
Our Dungeons & Dragons Club launched in late January, running for five weeks with two age-based groups meeting from 2:15–3:00 PM. This club offers students a unique opportunity to engage in collaborative storytelling, strategic thinking, and imaginative play. D&D supports a wide range of skills, including perspective-taking, planning, communication, and emotional regulation all within a structured, student-driven format. Clubs like this reflect our commitment to meeting students where they are and leveraging their interests to support growth.
A Thoughtful Approach to Student Life
From therapy dog visits to creative clubs, January’s student life programming reflects Academics West’s approach to education. By integrating social-emotional learning, executive functioning support, and meaningful community experiences into daily school life, we help students build confidence, connection, and resilience. We look forward to continuing this momentum throughout the year as our students grow not just academically but as individuals and community members.