Long Beach High School celebrated its 6th Annual Wellness Week from May 18–22, a student-led initiative organized by the Youth Wellness Council and co-advised by Special Education Teacher and Wellness Educator Kristen Ford and Science Teacher Karen Bloom.

The week began with Mindful Monday and continued with Treat Yourself Tuesday, Workout Wednesday, Thankful Thursday, and Fresh Air Friday. Each day featured activities centered around its theme, encouraging students to focus on their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Activities included fitness competitions, writing notes of gratitude, and mindfulness exercises designed to promote healthy habits and positive connections throughout the school community.

Over the past six years, Wellness Week has evolved into a signature schoolwide event dedicated to promoting the well-being of students, staff, and the broader school community. This year’s celebration was especially significant as it coincided with the launch of The Well, Long Beach High School’s new Wellness Center. Designed to support students’ emotional, mental, physical, and social well-being throughout the school day, The Well represents an important milestone in the school’s ongoing commitment to supporting the whole student.

The goal of Wellness Week is to inspire students and staff to prioritize wellness in meaningful and sustainable ways. A defining feature of Wellness Week is its emphasis on student leadership. The initiative demonstrates how students can positively shape school culture, strengthen community connections, and create lasting change when they are empowered with opportunities to lead.

The vision for The Well began with Kristen Ford, who proposed creating a dedicated space where students could access wellness supports beyond traditional school programs. The Youth Wellness Council played a vital role in advancing the project, ensuring that student perspectives remained central throughout the planning process. A key moment came when council members presented their vision to the Board of Education, advocating for a space dedicated to connection, stress reduction, movement, and overall wellness.

Since opening, The Well has quickly become a welcoming resource where students can pause, reset, and engage in wellness-focused activities during the school day. Its success, along with the continued growth of the Youth Wellness Council and participation in wellness initiatives, reflects a broader cultural shift toward prioritizing well-being across the school community.

Together, Wellness Week and The Well embody Long Beach High School’s commitment to fostering a culture of wellness built on collaboration, student leadership, and the belief that supporting the whole student is essential to a thriving school community.