There are three Teen Forum Workshops planned at Orange Preparatory Academy:

1. “TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE”

Date: Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Time: 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Location: Orange Preparatory Academy Cafeteria

Facilitators: HANDS, Inc. Steering Committee – Khady Ndiaye, Director of Programs, Hands, Inc and Craig Stanley, Community Improvement Association of the Oranges (CIAO)

Food will be provided by the Orange Education Association - PRIDE Grant - Dimitri Sidney, GREAT’FOOD

This first Forum is similar to a focus group for the HANDS, Inc Steering Committee. HANDS, Inc would like community engagement in helping to plan for the City of Orange’s development in the Heart of Orange. They have specifically requested student involvement. They would like to elevate our students’ voices with regards to improving the social determinants of health and improving the local economy (which can affect our students’ long-term life and professional goals). This would be a great way to challenge our students and get them to realize they can inspire positive changes in their community and ultimately make a difference in their world.

2. “MAKING HEALTHY CHOICES”

 Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Time: 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Location: Orange Preparatory Academy Cafeteria

Speaker: Sampson Davis, MD, Emergency Medicine Physician, author, including the book, The Three Doctors, motivational speaker, and businessman – COVID-19 testing sites and urgent care centers.

Food will be provided by the Orange Education Association - PRIDE Grant - Dimitri Sidney, GREAT’FOOD

 Dr. Davis will share his life story and encourage our students to make healthy life choices, including taking care of themselves in all aspects of their lives – eating nutritiously, getting enough sleep at night, staying drug-free, getting support when needed, exercising, and working hard and staying focused on positive goals. .

 The Zone from our school is invited to promote their counseling services as well as their great activities. Officer Malcolm Simms, our School Resource Officer will be available to discuss smoking and drugs and other concerns in the community.

3. “FINDING YOUR INNER PEACE”

 Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2022

Time: 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Location: Orange Preparatory Academy Gym

Presenter: Jennifer Kohl (or one of her associates), from Lotus in Action at Lotus Yoga will lead a yoga and meditation class for students

 Food will be provided by the Orange Education Association - PRIDE Grant - Dimitri Sidney, GREAT’FOOD

 Jennifer Kohl and her associates are teaching yoga to students and staff members in our schools. Our students have been dealing with the pandemic and its consequences – including: social isolation, game addiction, excess social media time, unhealthy eating habits, increased use of marijuana, and oversleeping. Yoga and meditation are valuable tools to help students decrease stress in their lives and bring a sense of calmness and peace.

We have also invited members of the University of Orange Collective Recovery Team to share some ideas after the yoga and meditation. They will have a few tables with activities, which will inspire students to help themselves (for example: with art and writing).