{"id":14342,"date":"2025-10-17T11:44:08","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T15:44:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/?p=14342"},"modified":"2025-10-17T13:23:46","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T17:23:46","slug":"decompressing-and-building-connections-at-thalia-elementary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/decompressing-and-building-connections-at-thalia-elementary\/","title":{"rendered":"Decompressing and building connections at Thalia Elementary"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin5.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-14340\" src=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin5-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin5-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin5-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin5-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin5-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin5-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin5.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a>By <a href=\"mailto:michelle.hanley@vbschools.com\">Michelle Hanley<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-14338\" src=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin2-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin2-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin2-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin2-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin2-400x533.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin2.jpg 1440w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/a>At the monthly staff get-together at Thalia Elementary, teachers try not to talk about work.<\/p>\n<p>The goal is simple: to foster a supportive village \u2014 one that welcomes new teachers, uplifts veteran educators and reminds staff that they\u2019re all in this together, says organizer Jessica Stronach.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen we know each other as people first, collaboration and community naturally follow,\u201d said Stronach, who teaches kindergarten.<\/p>\n<p>In September, the group made bracelets. In October, participants decorated pumpkins.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>&#8220;It is nice that Mrs. Stronach, a fellow teacher, knows what teachers need after a long and stressful day,&#8221; said pre-K teacher Kelley Green.<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;The event is great because it brings us together as a school community,\u201d said Carolyn Barnes, behavior intervention specialist.<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;We are teachers in a closed classroom all day. It&#8217;s nice to be able to get together and talk about our lives and get to know each other,&#8221; said fourth grade teacher Michelle Hanley.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>After two years at Thalia, Mrs. Stronach realized how easy it is to stay within the bubble of her grade level team and only interact with those she worked with directly.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin4.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-14336\" src=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin4-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin4-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin4-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin4-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin4-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin4-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin4.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>\u201cI didn\u2019t feel as connected to the wider school community as I wanted to be \u2014 and I suspected others might feel the same,\u201d she said. \u201cThat\u2019s why I brought the idea of the <em>Soaring Social<\/em> to principal Nicole Keros: a once-a-month opportunity for staff to meet, decompress and build connections beyond our immediate circles. I wanted to create a space where we could prioritize ourselves, even just for a short time, without the pressure of a formal meeting or professional development.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>Michelle Hanley is the school media liaison and a fourth grade teacher at Thalia Elementary.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bracelets.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14335\" src=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bracelets.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"462\" height=\"619\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bracelets.png 462w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bracelets-224x300.png 224w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/bracelets-400x536.png 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 462px) 100vw, 462px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin6.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14341\" src=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin6.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin6.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin6-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin6-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin6-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin6-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin6-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14339\" src=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin3.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin3-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin3-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin3-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin3-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin3-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-14337\" src=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin1.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/pumpkin1-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Michelle Hanley At the monthly staff get-together at Thalia Elementary, teachers try not to talk about work. The goal is simple: to foster a supportive village \u2014 one that [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":14335,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10,213],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14342","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-staff-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14342","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14342"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14342\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14349,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14342\/revisions\/14349"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14335"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14342"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14342"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14342"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}