Bayport-Blue Point’s new outdoor wellness center boosts student well-being

Bayport-Blue Point schools officially opened the district’s Outdoor Wellness Center at a ribbon-cutting ceremony this week, marking the expansion of the high school’s wellness initiatives.

The outdoor space complements the Indoor Wellness Center, unveiled in February, and is part of the district’s ongoing efforts to address the social, emotional and mental health needs of its students.

The Outdoor Wellness Center features a sensory garden, a labyrinth walk, shade trees, a trellis, paths and benches. The district said it was designed to promote tranquility and provide students with an environment to slow down, reflect and cope with stress.

“Today, we are reminded that our mantra ‘Belong, Believe, Possible’ aren’t just words but actions,” Bayport-Blue Point Superintendent Timothy Hearney said during his remark at the ceremony.

“As a district, we are thankful for the opportunity to care for students, each other, and our community, and we commit to using this space for people to slow down, breathe, heal, grow, and appreciate the gift of wellness,” he said.

The Indoor Wellness Center includes comfortable seating, tables, board games and soft music. It holds holds offices for the school psychologist and social worker. The outdoor portion extends these offerings, providing additional opportunities for relaxation and self-care in a natural setting, the district said.

Brookhaven Town Councilman Neil Foley and Islip Town Councilman John Lorenzo attended the ceremony and praised the initiative, noting the potential for the space to positively impact students’ lives.

_{Photos: Courtesy of Bayport-Blue Point School District.}