Education

Take Note

April 10, 2002 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

Stress-Busters

For teachers at Highland Park High School in Texas, keeping students focused on learning has always been one of the challenges of the job. But when the school began major renovations two years ago, teachers suddenly found themselves struggling to think, let alone teach.

To combat the strain caused by the construction, the 1,750-student school developed a program that offered teachers convenient stress-busting services.

Enlisting the aid of local businesses, the school began offering teachers a pickup laundry service, car washes, oil changes, and on-site massage therapy.

Teachers pay for the services and don’t get any special discounts, so offering the services doesn’t cost the school district a dime, said Principal Robert Jolly.

But the convenience offers some relief from the distractions caused by the construction, he said.

“The idea was to make life simpler so teachers could focus on instruction,” Mr. Jolly said. Local businesses also benefit, he added, making the effort “a win-win situation.”

His school is located in the upscale, independent Highland Park school district, which is entirely surrounded by Dallas.

For months, teachers have been educating students as construction crews tear down walls, split floors with jackhammers, and regularly force classes to move from one room to another. The work involves modernizing the 1930s-era school and adding more than 25 additional classrooms and a student parking garage.

“It has caused major stress,” said Mr. Jolly.

Many teachers now drop off their car keys or laundry at the school office; their cars and laundry are then picked up from the school and later returned there by local businesses. Teachers can also receive massage therapy on their lunch breaks or during free periods from one of two local masseuses who come to the school every Friday.

“The less that [teachers] have to worry about outside the building, the more [they] can focus on inside the building,” Mr. Jolly said.

—Marianne Hurst

A version of this article appeared in the April 10, 2002 edition of Education Week

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Mathematics Webinar
Engaging Every Learner: Strategies to Boost Math Motivation
Math Motivation Boost! Research & real tips to engage learners.
Content provided by Prodigy Education
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Student Well-Being Webinar
The Ripple Effect: Mental Health & Student Outcomes
Learn how student mental health impacts outcomes—and how to use that data to support your school’s IEP funding strategy.
Content provided by Huddle Up
Artificial Intelligence K-12 Essentials Forum How AI Use Is Expanding in K-12 Schools
Join this free virtual event to explore how AI technology is—and is not—improving K-12 teaching and learning.

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Education Quiz How Is Trump Changing School Discipline Rules? Take This Week’s Quiz
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read
Education Briefly Stated: April 30, 2025
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read
Education Quiz What Is Trump’s New AI Plan for K-12 Schools? Take This Weekly Quiz
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read
Illustration of tasks assisted with AI.
Canva
Education Quiz ICYMI: Moms for Liberty Launched Its Own University And More
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read
Moms for Liberty co-founder Tina Descovich speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at the Moms for Liberty annual convention in Washington, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.
Moms for Liberty co-founder Tina Descovich speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at the Moms for Liberty annual convention in Washington, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP