In today's world, there is a lot happening around us, and mental well-being has never been more important. At Madison Elementary School, the Wellness Center is dedicated to supporting the emotional health of students at a time when self-care and mental wellness are crucial. This calming space is designed with regulation tools, comfortable seating, and helpful resources to encourage relaxation and emotional growth. The Wellness Center's mission is to create a culture of wellness for teachers, staff, and students by offering a safe and welcoming place to take a break, relax, learn and heal. Through various counseling tools, coping strategies, wellness education, and mindfulness practices, the wellness center nurtures the mental health and well-being of the entire school community.
Helping Students Find Calm in a Busy World
The wellness center at Madison Elementary is designed to provide students a peaceful, calming environment. Light covers with nature scenes help dim the fluorescent lights, and the walls are decorated with positive, uplifting posters to make the space welcoming. Students can relax in comfortable bean bag chairs, play in a recycled cardboard castle, or use sensory tools like fidgets, putty, a mini sandbox and sensory bottles. “The sensory bottles make me feel better when I’m having a bad day,” said August, a first grader. The center also offers a plant care corner, art supplies, knitting kits, musical instruments, movement tools like walking stilts and the outdoor garden. Dexter, a fifth grader shared, “I like watering the plants. The center helps me feel more confident.”
Katherine Cox, who prefers to be called "Dolphin," is a second-year social work intern at the University of Washington Tacoma. She founded the Wellness Center and leads presentations and mindfulness activities designed to help students manage their emotions. "Above all, I’m here to listen, be present and help students work through challenging emotions," she explained. The Wellness Center is a space where students feel heard, respected and supported.
Supporting Emotional Wellness
At Madison Elementary’s Wellness Center, emotional wellness is about helping students understand and manage their emotions healthily. Dolphin, who works in the center, explains, “Emotional wellness means being aware of our feelings, learning how to manage them, and using coping strategies to feel better and get back into the classroom.” The Wellness Center provides a space where students can relax, play, and explore coping techniques through activities like mindful arts, play, nature-based activities and sensory engagement. “Some students open up while playing in the recycled box castle, others use sensory bottles or knitting kits while they talk,” says Dolphin. “The center is flexible, allowing students to come in and out as they need.”
Dolphin had this success story to share, “I have a student who visits me almost every week. She used to come multiple times a day, but now she comes once a week at most and bounces back faster from challenges. I can see she’s improving her ability to cope and recover, and she’s open to trying new techniques, which is awesome!”
While the center supports students, it also helps staff through weekly wellness emails with tips and resources. The goal is to create a supportive space that promotes emotional health for everyone.
How the Wellness Center Came to Be
During and after the pandemic, the mental health of the school community was impacted. Recognizing this, a vision was formed between Dolphin and OSD Social Worker Denise Hammer, to create a wellness space at the school to support the emotional well-being of students, teachers and staff. This idea became a reality thanks to a grant from the Olympia Education Foundation. The Wellness Center was designed to provide a calming environment with resources to help everyone relax, learn coping strategies and focus on their mental health. The funding allowed the program to be built, bringing the vision of a supportive space to life!
Students are referred to the Wellness Center differently, depending on their needs. Some students ask their teachers if they can take a break when they’re having trouble focusing, while others request to visit during recess if they need a quiet space to relax. Sometimes, visiting the center is used as an incentive for good behavior. The main criteria for visiting are that the student has permission from their teacher, there is an adult present in the center and the student is in a safe state.
The Wellness Center at Madison Elementary is more than just a space—it's a vital resource supporting the emotional well-being of students and staff. By providing a calm and nurturing environment, it empowers individuals to manage their emotions, practice coping strategies and focus on personal growth. Whether it's through mindfulness practices, sensory tools, or simply having a quiet place to relax, the center is making a lasting impact. As students continue to learn how to navigate their feelings and challenges, they develop resilience and confidence in their ability to cope. With its flexible design and supportive atmosphere, the wellness center is helping to build a stronger, more connected school community, where everyone can thrive mentally and emotionally.