Finding Hope at Loving School

We are incorporating the Science of Hope throughout our services and departments at CHS. Recently, Teacher Assistant and Hope Navigator Paige Knuth noticed in the Science of Hope training materials that lower glucose levels were linked to lower hope levels.

Paige came up with the idea of providing children at Loving School with a healthy midmorning snack to boost glucose levels and hope. While children in residential care have breakfast, some of those in day school are food insecure and hungry.

“For some students, the time without food between breakfast and lunch can cause low willpower and may trigger food insecurities,” she said. “We’re hoping this will increase their cognitive functions, decrease some behaviors and ultimately lead to a healthier environment.”

Appropriately, Paige has nicknamed the snack time concept “Willpower Snacks”; willpower is one of the key concerts within the Science of Hope. Along with boosting glucose levels, the midmorning snack period is also a time when teachers can engage with students to build their relationships and work on raising hope.

Last Tuesday, while the kids enjoyed their snack, Paige and Classroom Teacher Intern Kaela Larkin explained to the kids that from now on they would take a 10-to 15-minute break every morning to eat and talk about the things that bring hope to the kids.

“I’m working on being discharged, so that brings me hope,” said one of the students.

“I created my own video game, and it’s almost finished,” another chimed in.

Paige called on another student to share, and the kiddo mentioned that the previous night they became a Tenderfoot in Boy Scouts.

“What? That’s amazing!” exclaimed Kaela. “You’ve been working on becoming a Tenderfoot for so long. I’m so proud of you!”

Another student shared that they had a successful home visit the previous weekend. The last child shared how they were hopeful after hearing their dad moved back to Sioux Falls, which according to Paige, the student had been worrying about for weeks.

“You all give me hope,” said Kaela. “I’m so proud of all your accomplishments and grateful to be in this classroom and having this time to talk about what we are most hopeful for.”

Paige wants everyone to understand that Willpower Snacks are not just about raising hope for the kids but for the staff, too.

“This is a 15-minute break for the kids and staff to pour back into themselves,” she explained. “Our job can be physically and emotionally draining, and hope is all about forming connections.”