Help Elevate Our 10th Grade Wellness Hub

Funded Nov 3, 2024

As the 10th grade social worker, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks for your incredibly generous donation of vital resources for our 10th-grade Wellness Hub. Your contribution is making an undeniable impact on the mental health and well-being of our students, and I am truly grateful for your support.

High school can be a challenging time for many students, and 10th grade is no exception. As students face academic pressures, social challenges, and emotional growth, the tools you've provided are offering them invaluable support. These resources allow me to create a space where students feel safe, heard, and equipped with the coping skills they need to navigate the complexities of adolescence.

Here's how these donations are making a difference:

Mindfulness Activities: The mindfulness exercises and guided activities have become an essential part of helping students manage stress and anxiety. Whether it's a short breathing exercise before a big moment or a longer mindfulness session during one-on-one or group check-ins, these activities help students calm their minds and refocus. The relief they feel from practicing these techniques is immediate and empowering.

Creative Expression with Art Supplies: Many of our 10th-grade students find it difficult to express their emotions verbally, especially when they are dealing with complex feelings. The art supplies—markers, coloring sheets, and journals—have given students an alternative way to process and express themselves. Through creative activities, they can visualize their emotions, reflect on their thoughts, and work through their challenges in a way that feels safe and accessible. This semester, students are creating vision boards to help focus on their personal goals and build a sense of purpose moving forward.

Emotional Regulation and Coping Skills: The combination of mindfulness activities, sensory tools like fidget toys and games have helped our students develop stronger emotional regulation skills. With these resources, students are better able to recognize when they are feeling overwhelmed and have tools to manage their emotions in healthy, productive ways.

It's been truly rewarding to see students who are struggling with stress or anxiety find relief through these activities. Often, students utilize the Calm Ball or Fidget Grip as soon as they walk into the room, making them integral parts of their day and/or our counseling sessions. Other students have been using the art supplies to work through personal issues, which has led to improved self-reflection and self-awareness. These tools are empowering students to take control of their emotional well-being.

Your generosity has given my students the chance to build resilience, practice self-care, and develop the emotional tools they need to thrive—not just in high school, but beyond. I cannot thank you enough for making such a meaningful difference in their lives.

Thank you once again for your thoughtful donation. Your support has been truly transformative, and I look forward to seeing the continued impact these tools will have on our students.”

With gratitude,

Ms. Ayton