Mental Health Matters
September 2024
Welcome back!
Hello and welcome to the 2024-2025 school year at WesTech!
We are so glad you are here!
We hope you had a great summer with time off of school to recharge. This year is going to be an exciting year for all of us! But first things first, we want to remind you about the support services here at WesTech, and also inform you of new people and programs this school year. Together, we are here to support your journey in wellness.
Each member of your educational support staff team is here to support your success. When there are bumps in the road, we are here to help steer you in the best direction for you. We will all face challenges as we navigate this wild and wonderful world but those challenges are put in front of us to teach us lessons, build our skills and to strengthen our resolve. It is important we connect with others to assist us during those tough times and celebrate with us during the good times!
So let's gooooooooo!
Your School Support Squad
Mrs. Digney, Ed.S
Guidance counselor in D401
Mrs. Daily, MA
Ms. Johnson, MA
Mrs. Nevadomski, MA
Guidance counselor in D401
Mr. Beck, MA
Guidance counselor in D401
Mrs. Onal, MA
Guidance counselor in D401
Mrs. Bolognese, Ed.S
Mr. Antunes, LDTC
Ms. Christian, MSW
Nurse Fowler, RN, BSN, CSN
Ms. Cech, LCSW
Sgt. Brewer
Student Resource Officer in C021E
Returning programs of support
BCIT and the SAMHSA GRANT
After realizing that so many school-aged youth across the country, including those within our BCIT community, are faced with mental health challenges like never before, BCIT took action by seeking external support. Following a rigorous application process, BCIT was selected as one school district to receive federal funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (SAMHSA)
As a recipient, BCIT will be able to offer hundreds of students/families support and mental health services for no cost to families. This is extremely important because many young people and their families miss out on support services due to cost or other barriers to access care. Now, they don't have to!
Please see your school counselor to be referred for services.
Our partners through SAMHSA
Creative Change Counseling (CCC)
Teach Educators and Scholars Organization, LLC (TESO)
Prevention Plus of Burlington County, Inc.
Orlando Robinson, LSW
Creative Change Counseling in D401
Ana Soares, LSW
Creative Change Counseling in D401
Lauren Kiger, MS
Prevention Plus in the ZenDen
The Zen Den at WeTech is OPEN
The Zen Den is located next to the student ID office in center hall. Come stop by during your lunch to relax, unwind and reset in quiet and safe space. Ms. Lauren from Prevention Plus is there for you on a daily basis.
Safe Students Training
Safe Students
The safety of our students is of utmost importance. That's why we're pleased to offer the Vector Training, K-12 Student Edition Online Training System. We're confident you'll find these courses to be informative and helpful towards maintaining a safe learning environment. All students will complete their training by the end of October.
Wellness Days
Making connections in the classroom
The students have spoken! Student feedback was clear...you appreciated and benefitted from the days we established as "relationship building" days. These are established to purposefully take a mental break from the rigors of your academics and focus on connecting with others.
It is shown that social connection can lower anxiety and depression, help us regulate our emotions, lead to higher self-esteem and empathy, and actually improve our immune system. In addition, it makes our environment more comfortable, which improves our potential and performance in the classroom.
You can look forward to these activities returning this year. Your teachers will weave in relationship building exercises, at their discretion, to help keep communication, comfort and connection a norm in your classrooms.
Coming Soon!
YOGA
Project Little Warriors Yoga will begin EVERY TUESDAY DURING LUNCH on the stage in the auditorium! Grab your lunch and then join us for the last half hour of your lunch block in a yoga session guided by the instructors of Project Little Warriors Yoga.
Therapy Dog visits
Therapy Dog visits by the dogs and handlers of Tri-State Canine Response Team will make visits this school year! Stayed tuned for dates and location!
Online supports for you! CLICK BELOW to access services.
Bring mental wellness to your phone. Download one of these apps for support!
We are so glad you are here!!! 💗