Back Bay High School teacher Cami Marseilles stood at the front of her classroom as about a dozen students lay on yoga mats. In a soothing tone, she led the group through a meditation exercise, reminding them to focus on their breathing. In another classroom, students opened brand-new journals while teacher Siobhan Hickey spoke about gratitude, its meaning, and its importance. Just two doors down, teacher Ashley Smith encouraged students to document the adjective that best described their feelings in that moment before discussing different ways they can practice self-care. Outside, students rotated between physical activity stations, including ping-pong, basketball, strength training, and more.

This break from traditional schoolwork represents Back Bay’s inaugural Wellness Day. Students spent the morning practicing activities that support mental health. “At Back Bay, we focus on the whole child and know that it's important to balance the academic and mental health needs of our students, and the fact that we had top attendance today shows that we are meeting their needs,” said Principal Scott Mazurier.

The school’s initiative to provide that balance is showcased in its new Wellspace. Tucked away at the back of the campus is a retreat where students can recharge, practice mindfulness, and access mental health support. A colorful student-designed sign welcomes visitors to what they’ve named “The Lounge.”  

Bright and welcoming, The Lounge is filled with natural light, greenery, and soft tones. Wellness activities range from painting and journaling to yoga and sensory tools such as weighted stuffed animals and fidgets. A gratitude wall, aromatherapy, and a hydration and snack station add small comforts. School staff are also available to offer extra care and connect students with additional support. 

“Every detail of the Lounge was created with our students in mind. The space helps them strengthen mindfulness and social-emotional skills that support academic success,” said Mazurier.

Both Wellness Day and The Lounge benefit from a partnership with Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) and CalOptima Health also contributed to making The Lounge possible.  

For Wellness Day, CHOC joined local nonprofit organizations Project Kinship, Robyne’s Nest, and others to provide a resource fair with giveaways and information. A well-known visitor to the school, Jose “Pepe” Montenegro, also manned a table, distributing snacks to students who completed a short quiz on communication skills. “I’m on campus twice a week. I meet with the kids informally and give them encouragement and guidance,” Pepe said. “Don’t you think we all need that sometimes?” 

Students who visited every table at the Wellness Day resource fair and completed a survey received raffle tickets for prizes such as an Amazon Fire tablet and gift cards to various local retailers and restaurants.

As students settled in for a free barbecue lunch, they reflected on the Wellness Day activities. “I liked everything we did. It was a good morning,” said one student. When asked if he would continue to practice what he had learned, he agreed.

“One of our goals today was to create experiences that the students can replicate on their own to manage their well-being. They were given tools to regulate emotions and manage stress, and The Lounge is also available to help them deal with the pressures of everyday life,” said School Social Worker Elizabeth Shin. 

For Back Bay students, The Lounge and Wellness Day are reminders that their school community is committed to supporting not only their academic growth, but also their personal growth and overall well-being. With the support of caring educators and community partners, students are learning lifelong strategies for wellness and resilience, reinforcing NMUSD’s commitment to supporting the whole child.