At Sunset Ridge Middle School, students have a mindfulness center in the counseling area where kids can take a few minutes during their school day to visit. School officials said it has led to better learning outcomes and more positivity.
“It’s important for students to know that it’s okay to have the feeling that they’re feeling. It’s okay for them to feel sad or anxious,” explained Garrett Decker, one of the school counselors. “But it’s more important for them to know that they’ve got a safe space at the school where they’re able to regulate and then get back to class.
Amy Feldman teaches food and nutrition and child development. She came into teaching after being a stay-at-home mom, and her first year of teaching was during the pandemic. She said she doesn’t know how she got through those years without a wellness room like the one her school has now.