F-M designates May 29 as districtwide ‘Wellness Day’

Fayetteville-Manlius School District students will soon get a break from academic work so they can instead focus on their mental, physical and emotional well-being.

On May 29, F-M will virtually host Wellness Day to promote participation in healthy activities and provide some end-of-the-year relief for K-12 students. Students have been learning remotely since mid-March when schools were closed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

“We know students have been working hard during the past 10 weeks, keeping up with their schoolwork while missing the daily interactions with their friends and their teachers,” F-M Superintendent Craig J. Tice said. “The overnight overhaul of the learning environment, social isolation, and unexpected challenges that families might be encountering have undoubtedly added stress to the daily lives of our students and families.”

F-M annually hosts an in-person Wellness Day for students in January. The event offers dozens of healthy activities for students to participate in – such as guided yoga, cooking, crafting, gaming and more. Students choose which sessions they want to attend and many opt to stow away their phones and other electronic devices so they can be more present.

Like the in-person event, the May 29 Wellness Day will aim to destress and rejuvenate students. The program will be held in lieu of regular academic classes and assignments. 

Ready, Set, Relax

Starting May 29, all F-M students will have access to their school’s individual Wellness Day folder in Schoology, which is the learning platform the district has been using for remote teaching and learning.

The folders will each contain ideas and activities that aim to promote healthy living and mindfulness. Mental health resources and strategies for coping with stress and anxiety will also be available. 

Students can choose which activities they want to do. They can also share their experiences by posting photos and messages in their school’s designated Wellness Day forum in Schoology. 

The folders will remain live on Schoology for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.

“We know that behind every student is a wonderful parent or guardian, trying to make this all work,” Dr. Tice said. “ We hope they, too, can take time to breathe.”

Under the direction of F-M Director of Counseling Services Heidi Green, the event is being organized by the district’s K-12 counselors, psychologists and family-school liaisons.