Warner Middle School Opens the Wildcat Den, Westminster School District's First Wellness Space

September 24, 2026

At Westminster School District, student success is just as much as it is about academics as it is ensuring every child feels safe, supported, connected, and ready to learn.

That commitment was on full display on September 15 as Warner Middle School celebrated the ribbon cutting of its new Wellness Space, “the Wildcat Den,” a dedicated environment designed to help students build self-regulation skills, manage stress, and strengthen their overall well-being. The space is the first of several planned across the District through funding provided by the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) Capacity Grant.

The new Wellness Space reflects Westminster School District's whole-child approach to education, recognizing that students are best able to succeed in the classroom when their social-emotional and behavioral health needs are supported alongside their academic growth.

Funded through the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) Capacity Grant, the Wellness Space provides students with a calm, welcoming environment where they can pause, reset, and practice healthy coping strategies. The initiative is designed to address students' social-emotional and behavioral health needs before those concerns become barriers to attendance, classroom engagement, or academic achievement.

Unlike a counseling office or treatment setting, the Wellness Space serves as a universal support available to all students. It offers a dedicated area where students can strengthen self-regulation, resiliency, and stress-management skills that support their overall well-being and readiness to learn.

This work is a natural extension of the District's ongoing investment in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), counseling services, and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) programs that help create positive school climates and
strong student connections.

Warner Middle School has been recognized as a PBIS Platinum Implementation Award recipient, one of the highest levels of recognition for schools demonstrating a commitment to positive school culture and student support systems. The Wellness
Space further strengthens those efforts by providing students with an additional resource to develop healthy coping strategies and emotional resilience.
 

The thoughtfully designed space incorporates research-based wellness practices and calming features. Students can engage in mindful breathing exercises, guided relaxation activities, yoga, mindful coloring, sensory exploration, and other
self-regulation strategies using developmentally appropriate resources and tools.

School counselors and trained staff are available to support students as they learn and practice these techniques, helping them identify strategies that work best for their individual needs.

The physical environment itself is an important part of the wellness experience. Comfortable furnishings, calming décor, natural elements, and sensory-friendly features were intentionally selected to create a peaceful atmosphere that encourages reflection, focus, and emotional balance.

Students and staff will also have access to wellness resources inspired by the Orange County Department of Education's WellSpace Project, including mindfulness and stress-management activities available in multiple languages, helping ensure accessibility for Westminster School District's diverse community.

The opening of the Wellness Space comes during National Suicide Prevention Month, a time that highlights the importance of awareness, connection, and support. While the Wellness Space is not a replacement for counseling or individualized mental health services, it provides students with valuable opportunities to develop healthy coping skills and build resilience while fostering an increased sense of belonging on campus.

"Westminster School District is committed to educating the whole child," said Superintendent Gunn Marie Hansen, Ph.D. "Academic achievement remains a top priority, but we know students are most successful when they feel connected, supported, and equipped with the tools to navigate challenges. These Wellness Spaces represent an investment in our students' overall well-being and reinforce our belief that every child deserves a learning environment where they can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally."

For Warner Middle School, the Wellness Space builds upon a culture that already prioritizes student connection, belonging, and positive behavior supports. By giving students access to practical wellness resources in a safe and welcoming environment, the school is further enhancing its ability to meet students' needs before small challenges become larger obstacles to learning.

Students visiting the Wellness Space may utilize tools and activities such as mindful breathing exercises, guided relaxation, sensory materials, sand gardens, fidget tools, mindful coloring activities, and other age-appropriate wellness resources. With support from trained staff and school counselors, students can learn strategies that help them manage emotions, build confidence, and return to class ready to engage in learning.

As the first campus in Westminster School District to open a Wellness Space, Warner is helping pave the way for future wellness-centered learning environments across the District. Finley Elementary School is scheduled to open its own Wellness Space next month, expanding access to these important resources for even more students.

"We are incredibly proud to be the first Westminster School District campus to open a Wellness Space," said Kenneth Lopour, Ed.D., Principal of Warner Middle School. "At Warner, we work every day to create an environment where students feel valued and empowered to succeed. This space gives students another avenue to simply feel safe and seen and we are excited to offer it to the Wildcat family."

As schools continue to place greater emphasis on student wellness, Westminster School District remains focused on creating learning environments where every student can flourish. Through initiatives like the Wellness Space Project, the District is
expanding access to preventative supports, strengthening school connectedness, and helping students develop skills that will serve them throughout their educational journey and beyond.

The Warner Wellness Space marks the beginning of a larger districtwide effort to support student wellness and success. Together, these investments reinforce Westminster School District's commitment to the whole child by ensuring students have
the tools, resources, and support they need to succeed academically, emotionally, and socially.

Learn More

To learn more about Westminster School District's Student Services programs and resources, visit Educational Services. 

For additional wellness resources and ideas, visit the Orange County WellSpace Project on Instagram at @welled_oc