Statements
Mission
BeWell in School is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that teaches mindful breath and movement as proactive tools for self-regulation. Our mission is to teach students tools to navigate challenging feelings and situations to support their mental and emotional well-being in the classroom and beyond.
Background
BeWell in School was founded on April 11, 2019 by a 4th grade teacher who saw an opportunity to reimagine school discipline and wellbeing. BeWell partnered with Warner Arts Magnet Elementary School for our five-year pilot program beginning in the 2019-2020 school year. Since 2019, BeWell has grown to employ four people full-time and serve eight "gold" school partners in the 2023-24 school year.
In the first year of the Pilot Program, Warner experienced a decrease in disciplinary referrals, significant improvement in standardized test scores, and increased teacher morale and retention. Due to the success of the first year of the Pilot Program at Warner, BeWell was highlighted in the Nashville Chamber's 2019 Education Report Card as an innovative and effective approach to addressing students' social-emotional needs. Additionally, BeWell's partnership with Warner was featured on NPR's Nashville station as well as their National Morning Edition.
These results catalyzed the expansion of BeWell's full program to Fall-Hamilton Elementary in Nashville and Mary Todd Elementary in Lexington, Kentucky, in the 21-22 school year. The impact also led BeWell in School to win the Inspiring Innovation Award by the Nashville Public Education Foundation in September 2021.
In September 2022, the impact of the BeWell Program was again highlighted when both Warner and Fall-Hamilton were recognized with Reward Status by the State of Tennessee. Reward Schools are those that have scored in the top tier of the State's accountability matrix, which factors in TCAP achievement scores, growth scores, chronic absences, English Learner proficiency, among other state metrics. Principals at our partner schools cite the BeWell Program as a significant contributor to their school's rise to Reward status.
Impact
BeWell in School's major accomplishments from the 2023-24 school year include:
1. Launching BeWell Digital, our online platform that increases the accessibility of BeWell strategies and wellness resources and features diverse student actors. Launching BeWell Digital was a two-year initiative that involved fundraising, filming and editing high-quality content, building the backend platform and apps, and working with a marketing team for a full website rebrand.
2. Sustaining 8 gold school partners from the 22-23 school year to the 23-24 school year. 5 of those schools were new in the 22-23 school year. In the 23-24 school year, BeWell sustained all partnerships, including 3 schools in Nashville, TN and 5 schools in Lexington, KY.
3. Providing over 511 hours of one-on-one student support to 787 unique students across 8 partner schools. Providing over 690 hours of proactive learning in whole group and small group classes for 3,107 students across 8 partner schools.
BeWell in School's goals for the upcoming year include:
1. Creating a proactive sustainability plan to support school partners in maintaining the BeWell Program. As the BeWell Program has expanded, we have repeatedly seen firsthand the challenges that schools face in investing limited dollars into proactive initiatives that address student and staff mental health. Budgets and available funding change from year to year, making it difficult for school leaders to invest annually in the BeWell Program. To address this, BeWell is building proactive sustainability plans with each partner school, beginning in the first year of implementation, so that schools can have peace of mind knowing the BeWell Program will continue in their school from one year to the next.
2. Expanding our school partner portfolio. BeWell in School is seeking new school and community partners to reach more students, staff, families, and communities with wellness spaces and strategies. Our goal is to use what we learned in our first five years to expand our school partner portfolio - engaging with public, charter, and private schools in the 25-26 school year.
3. Hosting more events for educators. Over the last 5 years we have heard from countless educators looking for like-minded community and accessible wellness practices for them and for their students. Our vision for the 24-25 school year is to host two events for educators each quarter, one virtual and one in person. This will create opportunities for educators in Nashville to have in person touchpoints while also creating accessible events for interested educators around the country to connect with BeWell Programming and Professional Development opportunities.
Needs
Our greatest need is funding to support the BeWell Program in our partner schools from year to year. As BeWell in School expands, we continuously see the challenges all schools face when desiring to invest in proactive, wellness-driven initiatives. In our partner schools, BeWell programming has supported more time on task, fewer discipline referrals, and enhanced academic performance, all while prioritizing connection and well-being for staff and students. Offsetting costs for school partners wishing to invest in the BeWell Program is our top priority. $25,000 allows BeWell to initiate and sustain partnership with new and returning Gold School Partners.
In addition to funding needs, BeWell is always looking for passionate volunteers to support our efforts and connect with community. Volunteers support with community classes, serve on our Board Directors, and play a role as think partners on BeWell Committees. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit our website or contact hello@bewellinschool.org.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Youth Development - Youth Development Programs |
| Secondary Category: | Education - Student Services |
| Tertiary Category: | - |
Areas Served
BeWell in School currently works with elementary school partners in the Metro Nashville Public School District. We believe that trauma does not discriminate, and mental health needs are real in every community. Therefore, as we grow, we are eager to partner with schools in all communities. Our Professional Development Sessions and Clubs are suitable for all grade levels and we are working to adapt the full BeWell in School Program to better cater to middle and high school needs.
| TN - Davidson |
