The center is a true retreat on the Ransom Campus, and it’s the most visible piece of RE’s growing commitment to its students’ health and wellness. It is, however, merely a piece.

The journey from adolescence to adulthood has never been easy, and research suggests it is getting harder. Studies have shown the rising influence of social media and the social isolation that resulted from the pandemic threaten the wellbeing of today’s youth. That has brought a new urgency – and scrutiny – to schools’ efforts to take care of their students.

Since the days of Paul Ransom and Marie Swenson, Ransom Everglades has worked to shape young people who care about the surrounding world and each other. Today’s students also learn the importance of “self-care,” an expression not even in existence when Ransom founded his school for boys. With the support of RE’s board of trustees – including Susan Lampen, the wellness center namesake, and Sloan Lindemann Barnett, the author of Green Goes with Everything: Simple Steps to a Healthier Life and a Cleaner Planet – the RE administration has made Student Life and Wellness one of the school’s highest priorities.

Ransom Everglades has implemented new programs, empowered faculty leaders, enhanced facilities and encouraged students’ participation in their own wellness. The quest is serious, and so are the stakes. “We understand the critical importance of focusing on students’ emotional, social and physical health,” Head of School Penny Townsend said. “Taking care of the whole student requires tending and thoughtful decision-making every day – it’s not a one-time problem to be solved, or a box to be checked. It’s a journey. We are committed to that journey.”

Here’s a look at the tools and people Ransom Everglades is using to nurture the whole student.

 

Student Wellness Board: In its first year, this five-member board set out to enhance the commitment to self-care on RE’s campuses and encourage students to take a leadership role in their own wellness. The group has used upper school assemblies, Wellness Wednesdays and an Instagram account to connect with peers. Another student club, HealthcaRE, has also been active in other wellness initiatives, holding blood drives and personal-care drives.

 

Faculty/Staff Health and Wellness Committee: Formed in the spring of 2020, this committee includes representatives from both campuses and many departments – security, technology, facilities, counseling, nursing and athletics. During the pandemic, members attended professional development seminars and conferences, gaining knowledge that helped the school weather the challenges of COVID-19. The committee continues seeking to better integrate health and wellness into all teaching and learning at RE.

 

Counseling Resources: Students have access to Director of Counseling Isis Perez-Gonzalez and Middle School Counselor Susana Diaz for support with mental health challenges and emotional concerns. Parents also confer with counselors to obtain strategies to assist their children in the school setting and since 2021-22 have had virtual parenting seminars with Deborah Offner, a clinical psychologist with expertise in adolescent issues and family counseling.

 

Wellness Staff: Director of Student Health Services Marie Gregorio and Middle School Nurse Norma Torres offer on-campus health services to students and keep up to date on best practices concerning COVID-19 protocols, concussions and general health care matters.

 

Wellness Tools: An internal school Wellness Page was created, offering mindset strategies and wellness tools to students; materials from parent workshops to parents; and resources and health tips to faculty.

 

Midday Break: Social distancing demands during the pandemic prompted the school to shift to an alternating block schedule in 2020-21 with classes paused for the entire school during a midday break. This restorative respite from the rigors of the school day was so positively received it has remained. Students use the 70-minute midday break to meet with friends and teachers, eat lunch, engage in club activities, do homework and relax.

 

Enhanced Nutrition: Ransom Everglades recently began partnering with the founder of Wellness in the Schools, Nancy Easton ’84, and chef Andrew Benson to help raise the bar on the school’s approach to meals and nutrition. The pair are working alongside current vendor SAGE Dining Services. Read more on page 6.

 

Physical Education: Sixth through ninth graders are required to take physical education, and older students must either play a sport or continue with PE classes. In 2020-21, the former Issues and Ethics curriculum was reintroduced to teach middle schoolers important social and emotional skills.

 

Health Information Project (HIP): HIP is a student-led, peer-to-peer health education program that empowers juniors and seniors to instruct freshmen on mental health, reproductive health, substance use and abuse, nutrition, exercise, obesity and more. Read more on page 12.

 

Substance Abuse Education: Ransom Everglades began partnering this year with the Caron Treatment Centers to provide in-person, interactive, small group sessions to sophomores, juniors and seniors on substance use and abuse.

 

Digital Citizenship and Safety: Internet safety experts annually advise middle school students and families on how to use the web and social media safely and responsibly.

 

College Life Skills and Leadership: RE seniors attend a pair of seminars on hazing and sexual consent each spring that are designed to prepare them for life on college campuses. RE parents John Tsialas and Flavia Tomasello, whose son Antonio Tsialas ’19 died tragically after a hazing event in college, join RE parent and attorney David Bianchi to present the hazing seminars. (They also created the The Antonio Tsialas ’19 Compassionate Leadership Program and Award, whose goal is to inspire compassionate leaders who will make smart choices.) Health educator and author Shafia Zaloom has addressed seniors about sexual consent and relationships.

 

Lampen Family Wellness Center and Class of 2019 Wellness Garden: The Lampen Family Wellness Center opened in 2019 and is home to the upper school health center and counselor’s office. The center and adjacent garden, a gift from the Class of 2019, offer indoor and outdoor spaces for self-care, rest, relaxation and contemplation.