Chaos after the return from COVID-19 led to a counselors wanting to make a change.
Counselor, Mellissa Slatzer realized that after Covid there was a divide in the school and there needed an uplifting program.
Slatzer brought a national program to GlenOak called Sources of Strength to help with the divide.
“We started the program right after COVID, and at that time, we needed some happiness, right? Staff were really struggling, students were, of course, very much struggling.” Slatzer said. “It was just a really rough year at that time. Students and staff work were wearing masks, and it felt like there was a massive social disconnect at that time. And so I started kind of researching, what can we do?”
Sources of Strength is a national program that helps students and staff feel better and work together. It’s been here for five years and is all about building strength and support. Slatzer, is one of the advisers for Sources of Strength works to make sure everyone at GlenOak is represented in this group.
“We have students from all different groups at school who are peer leaders,” she said.
These leaders help spread positive messages and support other students. Teachers help pick the students by nominating people from every part of the school.
Sources of Strength focuses on eight important strengths, family support, good friends, healthy relationships, generosity, spirituality and mental health.
“When things aren’t going great, we want people to lean on these strengths,” Slatzer said.
She also said it’s okay if you’re not strong in every area—everyone can grow in different ways over time.
The program is mostly run by students, who get to decide what activities they want to do. Slatzer said that in the upcoming Sources of Strength Week, from Oct 27-31, there will be fun events and announcements to help students learn more about their strengths and how to use them in daily life.
Starting the program wasn’t easy. It took a lot of work to get approval and support from teachers. The school even had a special day for teachers where the Sources program was introduced and teachers learned about their strengths.
”Staff played games, ate pizza, and had a water balloon fight to boost their spirits. The goal was not just to help students but to help everybody have some fun and reconnect,” Slatzer said.
Right now, about 80 students are involved as peer leaders, but the program hopes to grow even more.
“We want Sources of Strength to be known by everyone in the building,” Slatzer said.
She also mentioned that there are nine adult advisors who help guide the students and make sure everything runs smoothly.
As a counselor, Slatzer also mentioned that the program helps prevent suicide.
“There’s a lot of research that shows when schools use this program, there is a reduction in suicide,” she said.
Overall, Sources of Strength hopes to make GlenOak a more positive place and connected place by helping students focus on their strengths and support each other. The program is about building a stronger community where everyone feels like they belong and can get help when they need it the most — anytime, anywhere.