KING CITY — Students at King City and Greenfield high schools now have new spaces on campus dedicated to mental health and wellness support.
South Monterey County Joint Union High School District hosted ribbon-cutting ceremonies Sept. 21 for the new Wellness Centers at both schools, marking their official opening.
The centers were created by redesigning existing spaces on the campuses and were funded through the district’s Local Control and Accountability Plan, according to Superintendent Caroline Cota.
“Our Wellness Centers are the result of listening to our students and school communities about what they need to feel supported and successful at school,” Cota said.
Each Wellness Center is staffed by two full-time licensed mental health therapists who provide individual and group support, crisis intervention, short-term counseling and connections to additional resources when needed.
The therapists also work with counselors, administrators, teachers, families and other school staff to identify student needs and coordinate support, Cota said.
Students can access the centers throughout the school day, as well as before and after school, during lunch and during passing periods. During class, students may request to visit a center with teacher release, while staff members can also refer students when they identify a need.
“We have established clear guidelines and a collaborative referral process to make sure students can access support when they need it while maintaining their connection to the classroom and instructional time,” Cota said.
The centers are intended to provide students with another source of support when they are experiencing challenges at school or need a place to reset.
“We’re excited to see these centers become another important layer of support across our district and, most importantly, a place where students know they can turn when they need help, feel heard and supported, and get what they need to continue moving forward,” Cota said.
Greenfield High School also celebrated the opening of a new culinary space last week, expanding the school’s hands-on Career Technical Education opportunities.
The culinary space was funded through grant resources and is being used this year for the new Food Science 1 course. Food Science 2 has been approved for next school year, Cota said.
“Our goal is to continue expanding the program into a full pathway that gives students meaningful, hands-on learning experiences while developing skills and exploring future college and career opportunities,” she added.
