Hillcrest School Hosts Wellness Day Focused on Connection, Mindfulness, and Healthy Living – DiscoverEstevan.com

Hillcrest School students spent an afternoon immersed in activities promoting physical, mental, and emotional wellness as the school hosted a multi‑station wellness day this week.

The event brought together all grades through Hillcrest’s “colour families,” mixed-age groups from Kindergarten to Grade 8, designed to build community and strengthen relationships within the school. Students rotated between a variety of wellness stations led by teachers, educational assistants, and community partners.

Grade 12 teacher Jessa Colliness, who recently joined the Hillcrest staff, said the day was designed to help students build positive habits and deepen connections. “We spent time getting to know each other and learning skills and tools that support healthy eating, healthy activity, positive affirmations, and mindfulness,” she explained.

Throughout the afternoon, colour families visited several themed stations:

• Positive affirmations led by teacher Aurora Laystreet, helping students explore self‑confidence and supportive language.
• Mindfulness and breathing exercises guided by Jenna Sydiaha, focusing on stress management and emotional regulation.
• Healthy eating education led by community guest Megan LeBlanc, who shared tips on nutrition and making balanced food choices.
• Fitness and movement with Kim and Ashley from Encompass Fitness, encouraging students to explore ways to stay active.
• Teachings on First Nations perspectives, led by Ashley Budd, where students learned about the importance of connection to land, community, and one another.

Colliness said the cultural component was especially meaningful, helping students understand how connection and wellness are viewed through First Nations lenses. “We learned about how First Nations value connection to the earth and to everyone around us,” she said.

The school’s Grade 7/8 leadership students, along with the School Community Council, also put together wellness baskets for staff. The baskets included small comfort items such as bath salts, popcorn, and gum, simple gestures meant to support teachers’ and educational assistants’ own well‑being. “It was super awesome and super nice,” Colliness said. “Just things to help us have our own good mental health days.”

The day also offered a chance to highlight new staff. Colliness, who completed her internship at Hillcrest, said joining the school officially on January 5 felt like returning to a family. “I graduated in December, and when a position opened up, I was so excited,” she said. A former Estevan student and past Estevan Rodeo Queen, she said her experience taught her the importance of community involvement, something she hopes to bring into her teaching.

Learning Support Teacher Jenna Sydiaha said the wellness day was a success thanks to support from community partners and the enthusiasm of students and staff. “It was a really wonderful afternoon and a great way to come together,” she said. “We really appreciate our community members, Kim from Encompass, Ashley Budd, and Megan LeBlanc, for supporting our stations.”