We at Beverley Heights Middle School are focused on ensuring the mental health and well-being of our students are being supported. We aim to provide everyday mental health practices that can be easily incorporated into classroom routines as well as programs, services and resources to meet the needs of all of our students.
Our everyday day goal as educators is to:
- WELCOME - Create Supportive Classroom Environment
- INCLUDE – Build Student Engagement
- PROMOTE – Teach Social-Emotional Learning
- KNOW– Know your Students and Build Mental Health Literacy
- PARTNER - Create Connections with Home and Community
Programs at Beverley Heights that Support Student Mental Health and Wellness:
Go Girls Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto- the goal of the program is to provide young girls with information and support to make informed choices about healthy living, including an active lifestyle with balanced eating and to increase confidence and self-esteem. A key component of the program involves how to build healthy social relationships and focuses on social skill building strategies.
Game-On Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto- the goal of the program is to provide boys with information and support to make informed choices about active living, balanced eating and overall well-being. There is a focus on the development of social and leadership skills with the support of mentors who facilitate group discussions and activities.
In School Mentoring Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto- Sometimes kids need an hour of one-on- one attention during their school day; an hour to play a board- game or talk about what’s on their mind or some time to explore a new hobby that makes them happy. In this program, a mentor will visit the student (mentee) at their school during the school day for one hour per week for the entire school year.
You Matter Program, Sick Kids Centre for Community Mental Health- Some of the main objectives of the program are as follows: to gain a better understanding of mental health and mental illness, to remove the stigma associated with mental health, to learn coping strategies for stress, sadness, anxiety….before things become more serious, to know where and who to go to for support.
Positive Spaces, Training and Student Program- This initiative is a part of Ontario’s Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy. It helps us strive to ensure our building is safe, inclusive, and welcoming places that are respectful of gender and sexual diversity. Spaces in the school are identified by a Positive Spaces poster and are accessible to the whole school community for private conversation and groups. Some teachers have been trained as a Positive Spaces Representative. These teachers are always available to students by listening, having resources available, and referring to community resources where available.
Newcomer Bridging Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto- The goal of this program is to support students new to Canada through weekly opportunities for members to meet and celebrate the group's multiculturalism and share their Newcomer experience. Throughout the weekly project meetings, the Newcomer group will bond, share experiences, build social networks and engage in activities that support their adjustment to life in Canada. Bridging Projects will be showcased at the end of the school year, strengthening the school's awareness of their Newcomer population and promoting intercultural understanding.