By MaST Healthy Panther Post reporters | Anxiety can be a hard thing to experience if you don’t know how to handle it, which is why MaST Community Charter has resources to help students, according to Principal Thomas Giampolo.
Mr. Giampolo, principal for grades 5 through 8, defines anxiety as “feeling overwhelmed or disconcerted about a future or current event.”
It can cause negative feelings, headaches, stomachaches, and sometimes health issues when it gets severe, says the Anxiety Behaviors Clinic at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Strong feelings of anxiety also can affect sleep negatively, cause eating disorders, and mess with the immune system. In severe cases, anxiety can lead to mental health problems. “Anxiety disorders are serious mental health problems that can emerge ‘out of the blue’ or develop gradually,” the clinic said.
Anxiety is an extremely common feeling that everyone can get. Even Mr. Giampolo gets anxiety. “Absolutely! I have it whether it’s something relatively common like an upcoming test or starting a new job and being nervous about other stuff.
“Anxiety is very personal and it’s going to manifest in different ways for every student,” Mr. Giampolo continued. “I can have a student in my office who may be nervous. Some people may get quieter or more reserved. Every reaction to anxiety will be a little different.”
He explained what the school does to help kids handle anxiety. “We have a fabulous counselor. She’s here to help kids get through anxiety. Other things like lessons and events like ‘Minding Your Mind’ presentations keep students active and productive and helps them with anxiety.”
Mr. Giampolo said recognizing anxiety helps students clear their minds and look for ways to help with their anxiety, such as deep breathing, journaling, or seeking the help of someone supportive. Young people, he said, want support from their friends.
Mr. Giampolo wants kids and families to know that anxiety is something that everyone deals with, and that principals, teachers, and counselors are there to help. Anxiety can get in the way of learning if you let it. Knowing yourself can help you deal with anxiety.
Illustration by Maggie, 7th grade, MaST, 2025-2026.
