Small changes • Big results
Modifying for
“Ding, ding, ding.” An old-fashioned hand bell rings outside Henderson Elementary to let students know it’s time to come inside. Gone is the jarring bell that triggered some students’ anxiety. In the halls, calming classical music plays through the PA system. “We eliminated the bell school-wide last year,” says the Henderson Student Support Teacher, Nicole Burnett. The old bell was loud, she says. “It would set some kids off by triggering a stress response.” The classical pieces help students and staff alike transition to the beginning of their day. Changes like these have made a huge difference to staff and students’ mental health and well-being. “We all love it,” said Nicole. “It’s so soothing. It sets a nice tone for the day.” Increasing mental health literacy for students and staff is one of School District 47’s goals. It’s also a high priority for the Ministry of Education, said Tawnie Gaudreau, School District 47’s Director of Student Support Services. Last year the Ministry allocated funding to support new school-based mental health programs focused on prevention, wellness, and early intervention. This has allowed schools to participate in several mental health initiatives (see sidebar). “We know that approximately 20 percent of children and youth in Canada will develop a mental health problem or illness in their lifetimes. When these can be caught and addressed early, students and society benefit,” said Tawnie. Educators are often the first to observe student behaviours that may signal mental health problems and the first to secure help for students in need. Making sure that educators have the knowledge and tools to sufficiently understand and appropriately respond to students’ mental health needs may be the key to reversing some of the disturbing statistics related to youth mental health and improving wellness. For this reason, a group of educators from School District 47 recently attended provincial training in mental health literacy and will be training other School District staff in mental health as part of an
Mental Health
School District 47’s Strategic Plan 2019 to 2023
Support the mental health needs and well-being of students to improve student achievement and success. ongoing professional learning and support strategy. Nicole is excited by Henderson’s recent mental health achievements. She says it is important to create a calm atmosphere for students to learn in. “In my room, (set up for students with special needs) there’s a fireplace projected on the wall.” This adds to the overall calming ambiance. Students come to the Learning Centre/Sensory Room “if they’re angry or upset. It’s a place where they can come to calm down.” Some kids turn off all the lights, others sit in the swing. Some days, there’s an obstacle course set up but there’s always a quiet corner where kids can snuggle. An added bonus are the two therapy dogs who visit the school regularly. All students and staff operate under the ‘healthy bodies, healthy minds’ philosophy at Henderson that was implemented last year. Fitness Fridays see the whole school – all 100-plus students and staff – get together and do a school walk, stretch together outside or do stations at the gym to music. Students are also encouraged to burn of excess energy on the stationary bikes that can be found in the classrooms. The healthy bodies/healthy minds spill over to lunch hour and beyond. At noon, Henderson teachers Corey Gordon and Jerrold Mendoza organize hockey, volleyball and ping pong games for students. “The staff here is what makes it so amazing,” says Nicole. “We work together, learn together and support students. We foster a sense of belonging in all students, everyone is unique and we embrace it.” In fact, the staff room is filled with laughter and everyone, says Nicole, “likes to be here.” Wellness Breaks are also commonplace at Henderson. Students take five minutes to refuel, get a snack, a drink, take a stretch or a breath of fresh air. Wellness afternoons take place one afternoon per term and students learn about something that is good for them such as how to make ‘nice cream’ (a dessert made with frozen bananas and fruit) or sing karaoke, an activity that gets students to sing and move!
What is Mental Health Literacy? And what is the District doing to enhance it?
Mental Health Literacy is the knowledge and understanding of how to develop and maintain mental well-being. It includes identifying risk factors and being aware of signs of mental health challenges; knowing how to and where to access help when needed as well as reducing stigma around the topic of mental health. The District has introduced three programs to enhance Mental Health Literacy: 1. Changing Results for Young Children (CR4YC) – a collaboration between Community Early Childhood Educators, School District Early Childhood Educators and Kindergarten Teachers that focuses on enhancing social and emotional competency. 2. Healthy Bodies / Healthy Minds - a pilot project at Henderson Elementary that instills a calm learning environment, and empowers students and staff to be conscious of their own mental health, and care for it. 3. ERASE – Expect Respect and a Safe Education - part of the Ministry of Education’s Safe School Strategy which includes mental health and well-being resources, services and tools for students, parents, and educators. Available at erase.gov.bc.ca.
Want to learn more? Contact us. School District #47 4351 Ontario Ave 604 485-6271
www.sd47.bc.ca
POWELL RIVER LIVING • February 2020 •
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