Wellness days are a new concept for the school district this year, prohibiting teachers from assigning homework or quizzes due on the wellness day or on the following day. 

Data from the 2022 Metrowest Adolescent Health Survey shows an uptick in stress following the COVID-19 pandemic. Forty-two percent of students reported feeling nervous or on edge at least half the days during the two weeks prior to the survey. This high level of stress for nearly half of students emphasizes the importance of mental health days. Due to this contributing factor, the Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough Coalition for Equity created wellness days proposed to give students a break from academic rigor and a chance to reset and prioritize their well-being. 

There will be adjustments in the following 2024-2025 school year based on how wellness days go this year. So far, the administration has been noting what is working and what can be improved. Principal Sean Bevan has noticed benefits as well as downsides to wellness days.

“We’re just going to have to be mindful and strategic about wellness days and how it did not reduce the number of assignments or homework,” Bevan said. “It may just move some of that work into the days leading up to wellness day or the days that follow.”

The Coalition for Equity formed a 2023-2024 School Calendar meant to consider those celebrating observed holidays. Sept. 26 was the first wellness day and occurred a day after Yom Kippur, purposely scheduled to give those who celebrate the holiday a day to spend time with their loved ones. There is a goal to strengthen the Religious Observance Policy by creating educational resources with links to inform students, faculty, staff and families about the various religious observances and how they are observed.

“It’s a challenge we foresaw as being a collision of multiple priorities,” Bevan said. “We are just going to have to learn from this experience.”

The overall message the district is aiming to emphasize is the importance of prioritizing the needs of students and staff, yet there is still room for growth.

“The day after the wellness day is more stressful than a typical school day because there is more homework to catch up on and cover,” junior Margaret O’Connell said. “It feels like you were out sick but in reality you went to school.”

Adjustment counselor Sarah McNulty works alongside students and other mental health staff members within the school. She has recognized positive outcomes so far due to the addition of wellness days.

“I do notice both staff and students breathing a little sigh of relief as we remember what a wellness day means,” McNulty said via email. “I am hopeful a day dedicated to slowing down and self-care becomes part of everyone’s ‘norm.’”

McNulty values “to try and practice what we preach” by implementing days prioritizing students’ and teachers’ life outside of school. 

“I am hopeful the wellness day concept doesn’t feel like a loss of learning time for teachers,” McNulty said. “I am hopeful they are embracing the pause for their own well-being and mental health.”