Brea Country Hills Elementary School (Country Hills) marked an exciting milestone on February 12 with a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the grand opening of 15 new Mini Well Spaces designed to support student wellness and emotional regulation.
In partnership with the Orange County Department of Education and Rady Children’s Health, the mini well spaces reflect Brea Olinda Unified School District and the school’s commitment to supporting the whole child through student-centered and trauma-informed practices.
Staff and community partners gathered to tour the thoughtfully designed calming corners, available to students in grades TK–6. Each space is equipped with coloring books, fidget toys, puzzles, and other calming tools that help students pause, reset, and regulate their emotions throughout the school day.
School Counselor Ariana Townsend shared that students are developing a strong understanding of the “Zones of Regulation,” a framework that helps children identify and communicate how they are feeling. Posters displayed in every mini well space feature encouraging words, visuals of the various regulation zones, and soothing imagery to reinforce these skills.
The spaces were also designed with intentional feedback from students and teachers, Townsend said. “We wanted teachers and students to have a voice and choice in these spaces because they were going to be accessing them in their classrooms and core rooms.”
During the tour, guests had the opportunity to see first-hand how one TK student utilized the mini well space in her TK classroom. She quietly sat down on the colorful rug, started one of the several sand timers located in each mini well space and picked up a magnetic drawing board to start her regulation.
Townsend also shared that she has facilities classroom lessons throughout the school so that students are familiar with the expectations and the purpose of the spaces.
Among the guests in attendance were members of BOUSD’s Board of Trustees and Executive Cabinet members, representatives from OCDE, Rady Children’s Health and the Swenson Family Foundation.
“Today, we’re celebrating more than just spaces– we’re celebrating a continued commitment to student well-being across our district. These spaces build upon the well spaces in our junior high, high school and two other elementary schools, and also being the first district in Orange County to offer wellness spaces across our TK through 12th grade students,” said Superintendent Brinda Leon.
In December, Arovista Elementary celebrated the grand opening of their new well space and Laurel Elementary Magnet School opened their well space in 2024.
To learn more about BOUSD student mental health and wellness offerings visit https://www.bousd.us/apps/pages/mentalhealthresources