On August 29th, 2023, the wellness center opens their doors for all students and soon enough, to staff.
Mrs. Franco is one of the advisors of the wellness center along with Ms. Olivera. They believe in the wellness of students.
“The wellness team is committed to fostering emotional well being, empowering minds, and nurturing resilience, to help SMHS students meet holistic wellness to reach their ultimate academic potential,” says Margarita Franco, Counselor of the wellness center.
Room 342 was once a teen closet for all students to pick out their fashionable needs, but now it has become a new “safe zone” for students and staff to collect themselves. As you enter the room, you are first greeted by a mirror to reflect on yourself and motivate yourself. There are also resources for all along side the “Affirmation Station.” Turning the corner, you will find a staircase with even more motivational messages. Walking up these motivating stairs then leads to the wellness center itself.
The room is filled with fun activities for students to engage with and enough comfortable seats for your friends. These activities vary from coloring books, to your own little Zen garden to play with. There are notebooks to write down your thoughts and an emotion chart to come to senses with yourself. It is truly a place to come and relax when the books have hit you hard enough.
“Our hope as the wellness team is that the wellness center becomes a home away from home and that students get the services they need so that they can go back to class focused.” Says Mayte Olivera, the crisis intervention consultant.
“It’s calm, fresh air, a lot of people come inside to enjoy this loving room,” says student Edgar Olivera Lua. The room is often filled with students. They are currently finding a name for the club and are taking any requests.
The club is planning to organize more after school events and is open all week during lunch and after school.
