Serotonin Speaks

Serotonin Speaks’ Marissa Boucher interviewed students and educators from all around Montgomery County about their struggles with online learning and their return back into the school buildings.

Every Wednesday, from now to the end of the school year, we will be publishing one brand new episode documenting one MCPS student or staff member’s journey navigating online instruction and the transition into a hybrid model.

Today’s Guest: Jennifer MacDonald, a paraeducator at DuFief Elementary School

Context:
In March 2020, like most of the country, Montgomery County Public Schools was forced to close school buildings and transition into an online model due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The spring of 2020 consisted mainly of asynchronous learning for middle and high schools, and a mix of asynchronous and zoom instruction for elementary schools.
The first three marking periods of the 2020-2021 school year consisted almost entirely of zoom instruction with a block schedule.
Certain student groups returned to the school buildings in mid-March of 2021. The main student population began a phased return to school buildings in April.
The fourth marking period will be conducted in a hybrid model. Students who opted in to in-person instruction will be in the classroom 4 days per week, every other week. Students who chose to stay virtual will remain on zoom for the rest of the school year.

If you’re a new listener joining us for this series, please remember to subscribe to Serotonin Speaks on any podcast app! Stay tuned all week!

Serotonin Speaks is a production of Serotonin Says Mental Health. You can find more content, subscribe to our monthly newsletter, and support Mental Health America by buying our merch at serotoninsays.com!

Follow us on social media!
IG: @serotoninsays
FB: /serotonin.says
Spotify Playlist

Serotonin Speaks’ Marissa Boucher interviewed students and educators from all around Montgomery County about their struggles with online learning and their return back into the school buildings.

Every Wednesday, from now to the end of the school year, we will be publishing one brand new episode documenting one MCPS student or staff member’s journey navigating online instruction and the transition into a hybrid model.

Today’s Guest: Vihaan, a third grader at Bells Mill Elementary School

Context:
In March 2020, like most of the country, Montgomery County Public Schools was forced to close school buildings and transition into an online model due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The spring of 2020 consisted mainly of asynchronous learning for middle and high schools, and a mix of asynchronous and zoom instruction for elementary schools.
The first three marking periods of the 2020-2021 school year consisted almost entirely of zoom instruction with a block schedule.
Certain student groups returned to the school buildings in mid-March of 2021. The main student population began a phased return to school buildings in April.
The fourth marking period will be conducted in a hybrid model. Students who opted in to in-person instruction will be in the classroom 4 days per week, every other week. Students who chose to stay virtual will remain on zoom for the rest of the school year.

If you’re a new listener joining us for this series, please remember to subscribe to Serotonin Speaks on any podcast app! Stay tuned all week!

Serotonin Speaks is a production of Serotonin Says Mental Health. You can find more content, subscribe to our monthly newsletter, and support Mental Health America by buying our merch at serotoninsays.com!

Follow us on social media!
IG: @serotoninsays
FB: /serotonin.says
Spotify Playlist

Serotonin Speaks graphic designer Marissa Boucher is hosting her own series!

Marissa interviewed students and educators from all around Montgomery County about their struggles with online learning and their return back into the school buildings.

Every Wednesday, from now to the end of the school year, we will be publishing one brand new episode documenting one MCPS student or staff member’s journey navigating online instruction and the transition into a hybrid model.

Context:
In March 2020, like most of the country, Montgomery County Public Schools was forced to close school buildings and transition into an online model due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The spring of 2020 consisted mainly of asynchronous learning for middle and high schools, and a mix of asynchronous and zoom instruction for elementary schools.
The first three marking periods of the 2020-2021 school year consisted almost entirely of zoom instruction with a block schedule.
Certain student groups returned to the school buildings in mid-March of 2021. The main student population began a phased return to school buildings in April.
The fourth marking period will be conducted in a hybrid model. Students who opted in to in-person instruction will be in the classroom 4 days per week, every other week. Students who chose to stay virtual will remain on zoom for the rest of the school year.

If you’re a new listener joining us for this series, please remember to subscribe to Serotonin Speaks on any podcast app! Stay tuned all week!

Serotonin Speaks is a production of Serotonin Says Mental Health. You can find more content, subscribe to our monthly newsletter, and support Mental Health America by buying our merch at serotoninsays.com!

Follow us on Instagram @serotoninsays!

The MCPS Student Member of the Board Election starts tomorrow! 

Today, Serotonin Speaks is highlighting our favorite parts of our SMOB Week and SMOB Forum with Hana O’Looney and Henry Kaye!

Hana O'Looney
— Website: www.hana4smob.com
— Social Media: @hana4smob on Instagram, Tiktok, Twitter, Snapchat
— Email: hana_o’[email protected]
— SMOB Week: Day 4

Henry Kaye
— Website: www.henrysmob.com
— Social Media: @henry_smob on Instagram and Twitter
— Email: [email protected]
— SMOB Week: Day 3

Serotonin Speaks is a production of Serotonin Says Mental Health. You can find more content, subscribe to our monthly newsletter, and support Mental Health America by buying our merch at serotoninsays.com!

Follow us on social media!
IG: @serotoninsays (vote for the winner of the Brain Dump)
FB: /serotonin.says
Spotify Playlist

These discussions were conducted independent of MCPS, MCR, or the Montgomery County School Board

This episode covers the effects of social media on mental health - both positive and negative. It explores how social media and the internet affect our daily lives and perceptions of ourselves, but also how it brings us together.

Guests:
-Emily, 14
-Daniel, 14
-Hasset, 15
-Susan Gold, parent

Serotonin Speaks is a production of Serotonin Says Mental Health. You can find more content, subscribe to our monthly newsletter, and support Mental Health America by buying our merch at serotoninsays.com!

Follow us on social media!
IG: @serotoninsays
FB: /serotonin.says
Spotify Playlist

This episode is all about the effects of exercise, sports, and play on the mental health of kids and teens! We interviewed local kids and teens of varying athletic abilities. Plus, a special interview with KABOOM!

Guests:
- Caroline, 15
- Hayley, 14
- Jenna, 15
- Joanna, 14
- Ben, 8
- Nora, 5
- Amy Levner, VP of Communications and Marketing at KABOOM!

Serotonin Speaks is a production of Serotonin Says Mental Health. You can find more content, subscribe to our monthly newsletter, and support Mental Health America by buying our merch at serotoninsays.com!

Follow us on social media!
IG: @serotoninsays
FB: /serotonin.says
Spotify Playlist

The election for Montgomery County Student Member of the Board of Education has been narrowed down to two!
Hana O'Looney and Henry Kaye came back on the podcast for a discussion on mental health policy in MCPS.

Hana's Campaign
— Website: www.hana4smob.com
— Social Media: @hana4smob on Instagram, Tiktok, Twitter, Snapchat
— Email: hana_o’[email protected]
Henry's Campaign
— Website: www.henrysmob.com
— Social Media: @henry_smob on Instagram and Twitter
— Email: [email protected]

Serotonin Speaks is a production of Serotonin Says Mental Health. You can find more content, subscribe to our monthly newsletter, and support Mental Health America by buying our merch at serotoninsays.com!

Follow us on social media!
IG: @serotoninsays
FB: /serotonin.says
Spotify Playlist

This discussion was conducted independent of MCPS, MCR, or the Montgomery County School Board

This episode, we spoke with the leaders of youth-led community projects about how they started their project and what it means to them.

Guests

Madeline Gold of Serotonin Says Mental Health
— Newspaper
— Merch
— Instagram
— Spotify
— Madeline’s book on Alzheimer’s

Claire Yang & Sofia Penttila of Gen Z: We Are The Future
— Newsletter
— Shop
— Instagram
— Discord

“Sometimes, the best way to solve your own problems is to help someone else.” — Uncle Iroh, Avatar The Last Airbender

Host Reflections for SMOB Week

Guests:
1. Blen Yohannes, Junior @ Einstein
— Website: Coming Soon
— Social Media: @blen4smob on Instagram
— Email: [email protected]
2. Neha Kohli, Junior @ BCC
— Website: www.nehaforsmob.com
— Social Media: @nehaforsmob on Instagram and Tiktok
3. Henry Kaye, Junior @ RM
— Website: www.henrysmob.com
— Social Media: @henry_smob on Instagram and Twitter
— Email: [email protected]
4. Hana O’Looney, Junior @ RM
— Website: www.hana4smob.com
— Social Media: @hana4smob on Instagram, Tiktok, Twitter, Snapchat
— Email: hana_o’[email protected] 
— Text: @hana4smob to 81010

If you’re a new listener joining us for SMOB week, please remember to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Serotonin Speaks is a production of Serotonin Says Mental Health. You can find more content, subscribe to our monthly newsletter, and support Mental Health America by buying our merch at serotoninsays.com!

Follow us on social media!
IG: @serotoninsays
FB: /serotonin.says
Spotify Playlist

This week, starting Monday, February 8, we are publishing a mini-series of our interviews with the candidates for the Montgomery County Student Member of the Board of Education, about their experience in student leadership and what inspired them to run for SMOB.

Today's Guest
Hana O’Looney, Junior @ RM
— Website: www.hana4smob.com
— Social Media: @hana4smob on Instagram, Tiktok, Twitter, Snapchat
— Email: hana_o’[email protected] 
— Text: @hana4smob to 81010

If you’re a new listener joining us for SMOB week, please remember to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

This interview was conducted independent of MCPS, MCR, or the Montgomery County School Board.