Above is the Fillmore High School Wellness Center, a safe and comfortable place for FHS students. Photo credit: Nancy Luna LCSW, Wellness Center Coordinator.
Article provided by Brandi Hollis
Today I want to talk about the FHS Wellness Center, what it offers, and how important it is.
On my back to school night, I met up with my daughter, who will be a senior this year, and as I was visiting all of her classes, I noticed a sign for the Wellness Center and went to check it out. I was surprised to find a quiet, quiet space with comfortable bean bag chairs and a sofa. The atmosphere was spa-like, the room was planted with plants, and I was able to doodle my stress away with paper, colored pencils, and markers.
There was a fridge and a large cupboard full of hygiene products to make life a little easier: shampoo, deodorant, hairbrushes, socks, perfume, toothbrushes/paste, feminine products, deodorant, etc.
There was a wall with all kinds of resources, tons of information, and just the right amount needed for a school environment.
It is a comfortable place where children can cry and reflect on their own when they are having a hard time, cool down without getting angry, and write and express their feelings.
My son recently told me that FUSD shirts say KIDS FIRST. If you follow that motto, you can’t go wrong. That’s what we all have in common: kids come first. I’m glad that’s the focus of the district.
There are quiet, safe corners on campus, and if you’re feeling unhygienic, socially uncomfortable, or having dark thoughts, there’s someone in that corner willing to listen. Let your children know that you are here to help them. That, my friends, is how you create lasting change.
