Mind, Body & Spirit: Greenfield Celebrates First Student Wellness Center

The Greenfield Union School District (GFUSD) is putting student physical and emotional health front and center with the grand opening and ribbon cutting of its new student wellness center this week. Dubbed the “Pawsitive Wolfpack Den,” the wellness center at Crescent Elementary School is the first of 12 that will open across the district over the next two years to provide students with encouragement, support, and a sense of belonging.

“Kids come to school with lots of emotions,” said Heather Richter, Director of Behavioral Health for the district. “We provide a place for kiddos in the school to be able to regulate emotions, to be able to express themselves, and advocate for themselves if they need support or help.”

Richter says the wellness centers are part of the district’s goal to focus on the well-being of the whole child. This concept aligns with two statewide programs: The California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) and the California Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI). Both programs promote student and family support strategies to better serve communities and schools across the state. 

“These initiatives recognize what we know to be true: when schools, families, and communities come together to support students’ mental health and learning, children will thrive,” said GFUSD Superintendent Ramon Hendrix during his address. “Together, we are building schools where every student has the opportunity to live a healthier, brighter life.”

Administrators transformed a classroom into the Pawsitive Wolfpack Den, a cozy, comforting space where students can decompress or self-regulate in a safe, supportive environment. There are two private offices, one for a social worker and another for a psychologist, where they can provide confidential services for students who need extra mental health help. Five stations are placed throughout the room, offering a space for kids to practice positive affirmations, learn mindfulness techniques, explore sensory stimulation, write down their thoughts in a journal, and even get their excess energy out by doing some yoga. 

“The movement area is my favorite. There are a lot of kids who need to have some movement, just to get out of their heads for a little bit,” said Sarah Covey, Crescent Elementary intervention teacher and parent. “Teachers don’t do mental health training to become a teacher, so it’s really exciting to be able to actually help the child in the way that they need to be helped.”

Covey’s third-grade daughter, Hannah, said she likes the positive affirmations wall, where she can look in the mirror and remind herself that she is good enough. She says it helps make her feel better whenever she is feeling sad or frustrated. 

“I think this will be good for the students because students like me sometimes get frustrated or get sad, and they need to calm down, but sometimes they can’t calm down in class, so they need someone to support them,” Hannah said.

That support comes from a team of wellness coaches, counselors, psychologists, and social workers who provide mental health interventions and behavioral support.

“Every one of our schools has a full-time social worker, and they really provide that intensive intervention,” Richter explained. “This particular wellness center is intended for all students whenever they need support.” 

Teachers and mental health professionals check out the various activities available at the new wellness center.

This week, teachers are leading their students through the wellness center to explain what it’s for and how to use the services provided. Each teacher will have two passes to utilize the Pawsitive Wolfpack Den. If a student is having behavioral issues, is going through a rough time, or is disrupting class, teachers can send them to the wellness center for a short period. Students can also ask to go to the Den if they are feeling upset or anxious. Kids check in at the front desk and identify how they are feeling before and after their chosen activity. The data helps track which activities students prefer and provides a picture of what each student needs.   

“If we can see that little Johnny is coming in every day at 10 o’clock, then we start asking some questions: Does he need more support? What’s causing this?” Richter explained. 

Local leaders and district partners were invited to the campus to tour the facility, meet the staff, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the support services students will have access to. 

“This space provides students at Crescent and throughout the district a place where they are welcomed and have access to the resources they need,” said Kern County Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Mendiburu while checking out the new wellness center. “It is a model for all schools to adopt and offer based on the needs of their students.” 

The Pawsitive Wolfpack Den is the first step in GFUSD’s commitment to supporting the whole child: body, mind, and spirit. 

“Each wellness center moves us closer to our vision of schools where students are not only taught, but where their well-being is seen as a foundation for learning and success,” Hendrix said.