Above is the Fillmore High School Wellness Center, a place of safety and comfort for students at FHS. Photo credit Nancy Luna LCSW, Wellness Center Coordinator.

Article courtesy Brandy Hollis

Today I would really like to talk about the FHS Wellness Center, what it offers, and how important it is.
On back-to-school night I joined my daughter who is a senior this year, and while visiting all her classes I noticed the Wellness Center sign and went to take a look. I was surprised to find a serene and tranquil space, with comfy bean bag chairs and a couch. The atmosphere was spa-like, with plants filling the room, and paper and colored pencils and markers to doodle away stress.

There was a fridge and a big cupboard full of hygiene products to help make life a little easier including shampoo, deodorant, hairbrushes, socks, perfume, toothbrush/paste, feminine products and deodorant.

There was a wall containing resources of every kind, with loads of information and just the right amount of appropriateness that a school environment should have.

When kids are experiencing a hard time, this is a place to feel comfortable where they can cry or reflect in private, cool down instead of getting mad, write or draw out their feelings.

My son recently told me FUSD shirts say Kids First. If they keep that motto they can’t go wrong. That is what we all have in common, kids first. I am glad that is the focus of the district.

Let your children know there is a quiet, safe corner on campus and if they’re feeling bad hygienically, bad socially or having dark thoughts, someone is in their corner and is willing to listen and help. That, my friends, is how you make a lasting change.