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Relationships are everything–it allows you to have real conversation, find common ground, provide help and support for someone, and to restore broken relationships. \u00a0It\u2019s the cornerstone of the work we do at MTCS and why I value taking the time to visit all MTCS programs. Talking with students, getting to know them, their journey, their stories are all essential in making their experience meaningful and rewarding. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In visiting P.E.A.S.E., I am once again reminded that the programs throughout MTCS are making a difference, for the better, in the lives of the students we serve. \u00a0With today\u2019s P.E.A.S.E. visit, students credited their ongoing work at P.E.A.S.E. as a key factor for being alive today, and having restored healthy relationships with the families they love. <\/span>P<\/b>eers <\/span>E<\/b>njoying <\/span>A<\/b> S<\/b>ober <\/span>E<\/b>ducation is helping students to overcome some of life\u2019s toughest challenges and sustain a sober, healthy, and rewarding lifestyle filled with hope and opportunity.<\/span><\/p>\n What is P.E.A.S.E. All About?<\/b><\/p>\n P.E.A.S.E. is a place for Peers Enjoying A Sober Education and the students we talked to expressed great importance on showing up at P.E.A.S.E., every day, to stay on track, even to stay alive. \u00a0Additionally, students want and expect their peers to show up, sober, and take seriously the work needing to be done. <\/span><\/p>\n Admittedly, many of the students stated that when they first arrived they were angry, defiant, and did not want to engage. \u00a0However, after continuing the journey at P.E.A.S.E., students turn a corner and and start to believe that sobriety is possible and attainable. \u00a0Many of the students at P.E.A.S.E. have had profound experiences of loss, being let down by schools, adults, peers, even themselves, and they work hard to get and stay healthy even if they need to try and try again. \u00a0If they relapse, there is no shame, only care, concern, and dedication to getting students safe and healthy. <\/span><\/p>\n Students share that ALL adults at P.E.A.S.E. are accessible, take the time to sincerely get to them as individuals, and genuinely care and are committed to helping and supporting each and every individual. \u00a0Additionally, students transition from feelings of isolation and anger to a strong sense of belonging, acceptance, and a belief that can and will live a sober and satisfying lifestyle. <\/span><\/p>\n Students also shared their value for, and support of, one another. \u00a0They expressed how they formed new friendships and now know that it really is possible to have fun with peers while embracing sobriety. \u00a0What really resonated was that all students shared the journey of having strained relationships, filled with lies, shame, and significant risk, to now having loving, supportive, honest, and trusting relationships with family and friends while sober. \u00a0In summary, students believe in P.E.A.S.E. because the people at P.E.A.S.E. believe in the students. <\/span><\/p>\n \u201cP.E.A.S.E. is safe\u2014I can talk to any of the staff \u00a0if I have any kind of struggle. Teachers were the first people to befriend you, when you start school here. \u00a0They understand addiction and see the deeper stuff–they really want to know how you are,\u201d Claire said.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cP.E.A.S.E. isn\u2019t like any other school. \u00a0I like how it\u2019s structured a little bit like a treatment facility but you can leave. The staff truly care about you. We can actually know our teachers well,\u201d David said<\/span><\/p>\n Emily shared her experience in a small, rural school, where staff not only didn\u2019t know how to help her with her addiction, but also were part of the problem. \u00a0It took Emily and her mother meeting Michael Durchslag, P.E.A.S.E. Director, to get her into a sober house in Minneapolis so she could go to school at P.E.A.S.E. and rebuild her life–at only seventeen. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Durchslag reaches out to schools and recovery programs all around the state, and it is typical that it is some kind of connection with him that brings students to P.E.A.S.E.<\/span><\/p>\n How Has P.E.A.S.E. Helped Students On Their Journey?<\/b><\/p>\n It\u2019s difficult at first–no one wants to come to P.E.A.S.E. \u00a0But the small community where everyone knows what they are struggling with, what they need is an important beginning. \u00a0And with that comes the sense of connection and relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n P.E.A.S.E. is like a supportive family where people seem to understand you and not judge you, and \u00a0support you.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI lost all my friends, didn\u2019t leave my house except to go to school. I just wanted to die, I didn\u2019t have any connections. \u00a0I came to P.E.A.S.E. a few days a week at first; I was so angry and was failing my classes. But then I started opening up. I took a 2 week grief break\u2014then came back to P.E.A.S.E. and now I go to school every day and I am getting all A\u2019s and it\u2019s amazing to me!\u201d Alex shared.<\/span><\/p>\n What Ideas Do Students Have For Families Facing Issues Of Addiction?<\/b><\/p>\n P.E.A.S.E. is a lot more than sobriety, it\u2019s a caring community, friendships, and activities. \u00a0\u201cThey really try to help us have fun. Our prom is so great, and they do a lot of fundraising to give us great opportunities. \u00a0They get everyone involved, including parents,\u201d one student shared.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s a new normal, but a healthy one, and every student in our circle said that their relationship with their parents has been restored since coming to P.E.A.S.E. and dealing with their recovery. \u00a0\u201cYou gain your parents\u2019 trust back; they see that you are better. The contrast in you: kid on dope, kid not on dope. We get our families back.\u201c<\/span><\/p>\n Conclusion<\/b><\/p>\n At MTCS schools, including P.E.A.S.E., you \u00a0get to be who you are–it\u2019s our commitment to students. We want to communicate this far and wide\u2014we have a place where you can belong. We will meet you where you are and help give you what you need.\u00a0 Every student has different needs and it\u2019s our job as educators to see each student and what they need to thrive. \u00a0I think we\u2019re very good at that at MTCS.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI have a choice not to use,\u201d Neil said. \u00a0P.E.A.S.E. helped him get there, and helps him every day with the tools to help him keep making that choice.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cPeople really care about me here,\u201d Emily said. \u00a0And that makes all the difference.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n From Superintendent Erlandson<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Visiting P.E.A.S.E. Academy Relationships are everything–it allows you to have real conversation, find common ground, provide help and support for someone, and to restore broken relationships. \u00a0It\u2019s the cornerstone of the work we do […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":13909,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13908","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n