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At Lakewood TechEQ, the Wellness Center anchors a schoolwide approach to student wellness, emphasizing emotional growth, meaningful connection, and student voice.

For several years, Lakewood’s Wellness Center has been a driving force behind the school’s approach to student wellness, grounding social-emotional learning in flexible, student-centered practices. A key part of this work is the Wellness Warriors program, launched in 2023 by Sakina Ali, a Santa Clara County Office of Education Wellness Liaison at Lakewood Elementary School, which pairs student leadership with wellness practices focused on kindness, relationships, and emotional well-being.

“Being a Wellness Warrior is really awesome,” said fifth-grade Lakewood TechEQ Wellness Warrior Qallie Robinson. “I love that I get to help Ms. Sakina create ideas with the other Warriors that help students across our school feel calm and supported.”

Wellness Warriors are selected through an application and interview process, and this school year includes five student leaders who meet biweekly to help shape wellness activities across campus. Guided by student input, their work explores topics such as friendships, managing emotions, and healthy communication, often connecting to national observances and cultural moments, including Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Hispanic Heritage Month. Through creative expression and discussion, students help ensure wellness programming reflects the diversity of the school community while centering empathy, understanding, and connection.

“Early elementary years are a critical time for students as they learn how to understand their emotions, communicate in healthy ways, and navigate relationships,” Ali said. “At the Wellness Center, we focus on building those skills intentionally, not only through direct support and conversation, but by empowering students themselves to be part of the work. When students help lead these efforts, they are learning how to support one another in real ways, creating a culture of care, empathy, and shared responsibility across the campus.”

The Wellness Center itself is designed to support a range of student experiences, offering opportunities for creative expression, peer connection, and quieter moments throughout the day. In addition to being available throughout the school day, the Wellness Center extends its hours to open 30 minutes before and after school, providing students with a supportive space to prepare for the day ahead or decompress following instruction.

“The Wellness Center, our Wellness Warriors, and Ms. Sakina reflect the heart of who we are at Lakewood,” Lakewood TechEQ principal Carly Sturm said. “This work is not supplemental, it is foundational. When students are seen, supported, and empowered to care for one another, they grow not only as learners, but as compassionate, confident individuals. We are excited to continue building on this work and to introduce new wellness initiatives this spring that further strengthen our Lakewood Lions community.”