Tucked into the busy rhythms of the school day, one club has been working to make sure students feel seen, supported, and a little more at ease.
The Bring Change to Mind Club at BASIS Prescott is led by Katherine McKeown, known to her students as “Madame,” a French and psychology teacher who always puts her students first.
Through weekly meetings and a series of engaging events, McKeown and her students focus on wellbeing today, so students can succeed year round.
A Different Kind of Mental Health Club
Stress can take a toll on a busy student. When mental health suffers, so do grades. Addressing wellbeing at a foundational level keeps students happy and productive throughout the school year, and that belief shapes everything about how the club runs.
During their wellness meetings, students share how they’re feeling, respond to open-ended prompts, and simply support one another. No judgment, no clinical framing, just honest conversation. The club also welcomes guest speakers and participates in hands-on demonstrations.
One memorable session included a visit from a biofeedback specialist who taught students how to actively lower their own heart rate and blood pressure. Students used blood pressure monitors to track how focused breathing and self-awareness have a real-time effect on health markers.
Three Events, One Big Message
Three times a year, the club opens its doors to all students in grades 8 through 12. Each event is designed to give students a genuine break, with good food, popular music, and old-fashioned fun.
Each event has food prepared by Chef Michelle, a local caterer in Prescott. Since this day is for the students, the caterers serve them directly, dressed in crisp, professional attire.
Teachers also fill the event with fun activities focused on relaxation and rediscovering the joy of youth. Students can try different relaxing blends at teacher-run tea booths or practice their warrior stance during a yoga session. There are even coloring books and Little Tikes toy cars to remind students that being a kid can be the best way to unwind.
Throughout the events, students are given questionaries to help them understand the importance of a good night’s sleep and a healthy diet. The questionnaires identify where students can improve their sleep and diet, to better control their stress and health.
Wellbeing That’s Woven In
More than anything, the club reflects something true of BASIS Prescott as a whole: the people inside the building genuinely care about the students who walk through the doors every day. The Bring Change to Mind Club is an extension of an everyday culture of care that makes sure school is a place where students genuinely want to be.
See what makes our student culture different! Find a BASIS Charter School near you and sign up for a school tour to learn more about life and campus and the many clubs we offer.
