MS54 / Booker T. Washington Middle School
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    • General Information
    • Who Was Booker T. Washington?
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WELLNESS COMMITTEE

wellness@ms54pta.org
At MS54, we commit to caring for our physical, mental, and social health and well-being as an essential part of education. The Wellness Committee (formerly known as the School Wellness Council), founded by the School Leadership Team in 2015, invites the entire school community -- administrators, teachers, support staff, students, and parents/guardians -- to develop Wellness initiatives that become part of the way of life at our school. Our mission is to listen carefully and inclusively to our community's Wellness needs and to respond in meaningful ways. The pandemic has affected each of us differently, so we are paying close attention to people's evolving priorities.

​Want to join the MS54 Wellness Movement? Or just say hi? Write to Wellness Lead Alison Gardy at wellness@ms54pta.org.

Find out more about our previous work in our Archive and daily tips on our Facebook page, The Well at 54.

The NYCDOE Office of School Wellness Programs newsletter also provides a wealth of information for students and parents.
RESOURCES
MS54's Mental Health Resource Guide
MS54's counseling team has provided a mental health resource guide to clarify families' first points of contacts within the school, as well as listing free and low-cost mental health resources in the community, mental health resources for families of color, and a list of recommended books and podcasts to engage families and children around mental health issues.
Mental Health Resources for the Latinx Community
The NYCDOE Family and Community Wellness Collective suggests the National Hispanic and Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center. The mission of the National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC is to provide high-quality training and technical assistance to improve the capacity of the workforce serving the Hispanic and Latino communities in prevention, treatment and recovery for behavioral health.
The Child Mind Institute
Brief videos to help children manage intense emotions. These videos can help kids learn to handle intense emotions without giving in to the urge to act in impulsive ways that can make problems bigger.

NEW: Helping Your Child Manage Back-to-School Stress, Child Mind Institute, 9/14/2022.

CMI's Annual Mental Health Awareness Campaign, featuring video messages from celebrity participants who share simple and meaningful advice to encourage children who are struggling to seek help. 
Self-Care
  • Check out the wonderful conversation on how self-care is rooted in community from Jamil Zaki, Stanford University associate professor of psychology and author of The War for Kindness: Building Empathy in a Fractured World.
  • Be Well Meditations on Vimeo
  • Tool-Kit for Talking About Mental Health and Seeking Help (developed for NYC employees; generally relevant)

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Alison Gardy, Parent Chair and SLT Liaison

2022-2023 MEETINGs/WORKSHOPS

  • Wed, Sept 21– 7 PM
  • Wed, Oct 26 – 7 PM
  • Wed, Nov 16 – 12 PM [Lunch]
  • Wed, Dec 14 – 7 PM
  • Wed, Jan 25 – 12 PM [Lunch]
  • Wed, Feb 15 – 7 PM
  • Wed, Mar 29 – 12 PM [Lunch]
  • Wed, Apr 26 – 7 PM
  • Wed, May 17 – 12 PM [Lunch]
  • Wed, June 14 – 7 PM​
Meetings are one hour long.

MS54 Challenge! Fun Snacks from Around the World

We challenged the Booker T. community to share their favorite afterschool snacks. Check them out! You may be inspired to try something new!
  • Cassava bread and pico de gallo (Dominican/Mexican)
  •  Thin, raw carrot sticks with Himalayan salt and extra virgin olive oil (Greek)

INITIATIVES, WORKSHOPS AND MEETINGS

Wellness & Equity Workshop: Cultivating our Children as Givers
December 14, 2022 @ 7pm
MiaLisa McFarland Millares, Executive Director of Doing Good Together, shared many ways we can celebrate and encourage our children as givers. Missed it? Catch the recording here and MiaLisa's helpful activity links below:
  • Family Kindness Habits printable
  • Family Meeting Agenda
  • Family Mission Statements
  • Free Printable
  • Kindness Tear Off Printable
  • Adopt a Food Pantry
  • Color a Smile
  • Magic Mail Center
  • Neighborhood Stewardship
  • Create a Giving Box
  • Trick or Treat for Unicef
  • No-sew Tie Blankets
  • Card Making
  • Lunch Bags
  • Make and Bake
  • Advocate for Animals
  • Summer of Kindness Ideas
  • Conversation Cards for any story

Wellness Committee Workshop: Dr. Elster's Making the Most of Summer 2022!​
June 13, 2022 @ 7pm
This final Wellness Workshop of the year was NOT to be missed:
​Dr. Elster shared her observations and wisdom about how to help our children have a healthy, happy summer that sets them up for academic—and life—success in the Fall. And, as structure is a vital part of Wellness, it also helped us to resist that "summer slide." 
Wellness Committee Workshop: EFT Tapping 101 for Parents and Teachers
April 13, 2022 @ 7pm
You've heard about EFT, now come learn how to do it!
MS54 Launches a Mindfulness Movement
We are excited to share the launch of our Mindfulness Movement at MS54. Since Fall 2021, in response to the growing mental health concerns in adults and children alike, MS54 parent alum and Clinical Psychologist Dr. Vijayeta Sinh has been creating weekly Mindful Minute videos for Booker T. students, staff and faculty. Many teachers have shared these videos in their homerooms to help students center and focus at the beginning of the day. Parents/guardians are encourage to submit their own video tips to wellness@ms54pta.org.

Every Wednesday, we will be featuring a new video on our MS54 Wellness YouTube Channel, where you can go and try a new mindfulness technique. Share them with your children, partners, neighbors, coworkers. It takes very little time to feel more grounded and it can make a BIG positive difference in your day.​
In Memoriam
In March 2022, beloved MS54 educator and parent alum Ms. Susan Trout passed away. We remember her with gratitude for all she did through the years to instill love and curiosity about the Mandarin language and Chinese cultures. We shall carry her in our hearts and memories. If you would like to share a memory of Ms. Trout, please write wellness@ms54pta.org.
Wellness Committee Workshop with Dr. Vijayeta Sinh
What Does a Growth Mindset Look Like in a Pandemic?
February 9, 2022. Our very own parent alum psychotherapist Dr. Vijayeta Sinh helped us understand how to achieve a "growth mindset," even during a pandemic. She also spoke about social anxiety and acting-out behavior in school.
January's Wellness Committee Meeting with Dr. Terri Bacow
January 12, 2022. CBT expert Dr. Terri Bacow, psychotherapist and author of Goodbye Anxiety: A Guided Journal for Overcoming Worry, shared practical coping skills that can be used whenever you feel anxious. Drawing from her just-released book, she explained how to identify anxiety triggers, change unhelpful thinking patterns and develop healthy mental habits such as self-compassion.
December's Wellness Committee Meeting: Healthy Kitchen Hacks for the (Middle School) Family 
December 8, 2021 @ 8pm
Fundamentally rooted in the concept that a healthy life begins with a healthy kitchen, Dr. Dara Huang will demonstrate that simple kitchen skills and adopting a choice mindset are the only ingredients for creating a healthy and more joyful cooking space for the whole family. 
Wellness Meeting: Workshop with Dr. Vijayeta Sinh
November 10, 2021 @ 8pm​
Too often we think we don't have the time or money to take care of ourselves. But if our own energy is depleted, how can we show up for our children? Psychologist and Booker T. parent alum Dr. Sinh showed us that self-care does not have to depend on time or money, but can be as easy as committing to a few simple strategies.
Family Healing Ambassadors Presentation Panel: ​How Can We Help Our Children Take Care of Themselves Socially, Emotionally and Physically?
November 3, 2021 @ 8am
Join MS54 panelists Social Worker Nicole Miller, Physical Education Instructor Frank DiPasquale, Parent Coordinator Anne McIntosh Pejovich, and Family Healing Ambassador and Wellness Lead Alison Gardy to discuss a topic of importance to all of us.
54 Watch Party: The Social Dilemma
Picture
Thursday, September 23, 2021 @ 8:15pm
The Wellness Committee held a Zoom viewing party for fellow Booker T. families interested in exploring the addictiveness of social media. Heads-up: It's rated PG-13, and may cause a serious discussion. Make sure to bring popcorn! For more info, contact  wellness@ms54pta.org.

MS54 Backpack and Supplies Drive
Picture
Thank you to the Booker T. community for giving students the tools for a successful path in the coming year by purchasing an entire backpack of supplies!​ ​If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Parent Coordinator Anne McIntosh Pejovich​.


WELLNESS COMMITTEE Meeting Minutes

2022-2023
2021-2022
September 2021
October 2021
November 2021
December 2021
January 2022

February 2022
March 2022
April 2022

May 2022
June 2022
2020-2021
September 2020
October 2020
November 2020
December 2020
January 2021
February 2021
March 2021

April 2021
May 2021
June 2021
MS54 Booker T. Washington
​103 West 107th Street
New York, NY 10025
Phone (212) 678-2861
MS54 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in admission to its programs, services, or activities, in access to them, in treatment of individuals, or in any aspect of their operations. The lack of English language skills shall not be a barrier to admission or participation in the district’s activities and programs. MS54 also does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices.
© MS54 Booker T. Washington. All rights reserved.
  • Home
  • ABOUT MS54
    • General Information
    • Who Was Booker T. Washington?
    • Who Is MS54? >
      • Getting to Know MS54 >
        • Dr. Elana Elster
        • Laura Lynch Geraghty
        • Anne McIntosh Pejovich
        • Emery Dickerson
    • Directory
    • Admissions
    • Curriculum
    • Academy Fellowship
    • Equity Team >
      • African American History Month
      • Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month
      • Support AAPI
      • Equity Team Archive
    • Wellness Committee >
      • Family Healing Ambassadors
      • Wellness Topics and Initiatives Archive
    • Ryan Health Center
  • SCHOOL DURING COVID-19
    • Planning for 2022-2023
    • Returning to School Buildings
  • SUPPORT MS54
    • Annual Appeal
    • Volunteer
  • PTA & SLT
    • PTA >
      • PTA Presentations
      • PTA Reimbursement Form
    • School Leadership Team (SLT)
    • Community Outreach
    • PTA & SLT Meeting Minutes Archive
    • Newsletter Archive
  • FOR PARENTS
    • Absence Procedures
    • Parent/Student Handbook
    • School Forms
    • New Incoming Family Information 2022 - 2023
    • Safety / Emergency Procedures & Storm Delays
    • Class Parents
    • Parent-Teacher Conferences
    • High School Information
    • DOE Resources & News >
      • DOE / District 3 / CEC 3 General Information
      • DOE Info & Community Updates
    • Education Advocacy
  • FOR STUDENTS
    • Summer Assignments & Supply Lists
    • Code of Conduct >
      • Code of Conduct & School Rules
      • Honor Code
      • Cell Phone Policy
      • School Attire
    • Marking Periods / Honor Roll / Late & Missed Work
    • After School
    • Student Activities >
      • Affinity Groups
      • Model UN
      • Boys and Girls Basketball
    • Library
    • Breakfast & Lunch
    • Metrocards & MTA Info
    • Free Tutoring Resources
    • Free Microsoft Software