Local nonprofit Alianza host Back-to-School Wellness Day event

Alianza's Community Justice Campaign hosted a Back-to-School Wellness Day Saturday morning at the Coachella Library.

Organizers said the event's goal was to help families and students start the new school year with a positive attitude and to share information about restorative justice within Coachella Valley Unified School District and the district's new Wellness Centers at some schools.

Jason Tate is the Wellness Center specialist at Coachella Valley High School. 

"We're talking with the community about wellness and safety and restorative justice and practices in the schools," said Tate. "All the high schools and middle schools have not only a Wellness Center teacher, but a therapist from Latino Commission, and a behavior specialist."

"Learning how conflict resolution understanding anger management, understanding hormones in the body," said Tate.

There was activities, mindfulness exercises, refreshments, and a free school supplies giveaway. It was a free event for all CVUSD students and their families. All K-12 grade students were welcome.

Daniela Rojas with Alianza Coachella Valley helped lead the event. 

"We understand that there is a high student-to-counselor ratio. So we wanted something that was more accessible to students where maybe they just need a minute alone," said Rojas. "Maybe they just need to talk with someone quickly, or they have something going on at home that they don't feel comfortable talking about what just anyone."

However, the Wellness Centers are not just for students.

"The Wellness Centers are working with teachers. We're working with administrators, we're working with counselors, we're there for them as well," said Tate. "From the top, all the way down to the kids and the students and parents and everyone in between, this entire community is going to transform in the future."

CVUSD said it plans to put Wellness Centers at all the Elementary Schools in the near future, so all students have easy access.