STUDENT WELLBEING

Ensure every secondary school has advisory/mindfulness periods incorporated in their weekly school schedule where students have the opportunity to rest, take a break, make-up work, meet with teachers, etc. Ensure mental health resources are publicly advertised at each school. Keep counselors, psychologists, social workers, and mental health specialists in the Operating Budget and ensure they are not first on the chopping block. Advocate for quarterly Wellness Half-Days to be implemented throughout the school year calendar to alleviate stress for students, especially during exam season and long periods of schooling. Ensure the counselor-to-student and psychologist-to-student ratio is met at all schools and students have easy access to them. Develop a standardized policy for Student Mental Health and Wellbeing, including making it easier for students to switch classes/teachers. Expand Bridge to Wellness (BTW) teams to all 25 high schools. Allow students to use their cell phone and other devices during lunch at all schools.

Improve the quality and nutrition of school meals. Add diverse menu items that are accommodating for students with specific dietary restrictions (ex. allergies, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, kosher, halal, etc). Increase student feedback surrounding school meals through taste testing events, surveys, etc. Reduce the use of plastic in the lunch line to minimize plastic waste (ex. plastic packaging, plastic utensils, etc).

Work with students to hold administrators and faculty accountable for racist, sexist, homophobic, etc incidents at the school. Enhance staff and administration training to ensure they know how to respond to and handle hate incidents. Outline and strengthen punishments for hate incidents, especially for repeat-offenders. Improve the reporting process for hate/bullying incidents. Teach students at an earlier age (elementary school) about the history of hate and oppression in the world (“The earlier we teach them, the better”). Expand Restorative Justice to foster community and resolve conflicts.