Attend
Exhibit
Launching a Wellness Program/Center: Learnings From Our Rookie Year |
Participate and share : Poster
Milissa Banister Connie McCarley
This session focuses on the process Walnut Creek School District took to launch a districtwide wellness program and what we learned in our first year. We'll share our process, the physical spaces, our online calming room and digital check-ins, and the funding sources used to outfit the spaces and provide training from mental health professionals.
| Audience: | Curriculum/district specialists, Library media specialists, Principals/head teachers |
| Skill level: | Beginner |
| Attendee devices: | Devices useful |
| Attendee device specification: | Smartphone: Android, iOS, Windows Laptop: Chromebook, Mac, PC Tablet: iOS, Windows, Android |
| Participant accounts, software and other materials: | Internet Access. G Suite tools preferred to access sign in on Google Forms. QR Code reader/ smartphone. |
| Topic: | Equity and inclusion |
| Grade level: | PK-12 |
| Subject area: | Health and physical education, Special education |
| ISTE Standards: | For Education Leaders: Empowering Leader
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The purpose is to share our first year learnings of launching a wellness program in our district. Focusing on creating a program that is comprehensive and allows for growth, no matter the needs a person brings to the table. We will share resources, and have participants interact with our digital sign in tools (Google Forms) for students to check their current mental state, virtual calming room (Google Sites) and interact with tactile tools that are student favorites in the space. The presentation will include data tracking of our first year in operation, student interviews/feedback, and honest dialogue about what we learned in our rookie year. All our tools will be made available to participants.
We will start with a brief experience of our wellness center- engaging participants in taking a whole body scan to check their status and needs. They can try out our digital sign in tool and play in our online Calming Room. For a 30 minute presentation: 5 min intro, 10 minute background/ development of the space, 10 minute share of data, student testimonials and video of spaces in action, 5 minute of sharing about our next steps and questions. We will use device based activities, individual exploration and games (wrap up activity with prizes- student favorites from the wellness centers)
Ed Source Article: https://edsource.org/2020/school-wellness-centers-could-be-an-answer-to-soaring-mental-health-needs-in-california/644857
Why We Need Wellness in Schools- https://sanjosespotlight.com/dewan-why-we-need-wellness-centers-for-schools/
Santa Ana Unified Wellness Center- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xF_9EVReh0
Wellness Centers in Schools- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmdVjPMMaG0
We are all Different and That's Awesome- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQuM5e0QGLg
Milissa Banister is a principal at Indian Valley school in Walnut Creek, California. She has been the site principal since 2015. Over the past 7+ years, her school has transitioned to flexible seating environments, engaging students in the creation of classroom layouts/ weaving technology into the classrooms. For the 21-22 school year as part of a district wide approach to wellness, IV opened The Nest, the Wellness Center on site. Aimed at supporting students who are returning from COVID learning, The Nest, along with other recess activities is engaging students in play, imagination and exploration of mental health.
Connie McCarley currently serves as the Assistant Director of Educational Support Services in the Walnut Creek School District. Prior to this role, she served as a site principal at three different schools, including a PBL school and an IB MYP middle school. Connie is the lead administrator of the WCSD Wellness Program. She also leads the districtwide implementation of innovative learning spaces which integrates SEL in grades K-8.
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