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Student speaker urges board to keep "Be the Change Day" mental-health program
Summary
A student and staff presenters described a revived Be the Change Day program as a student-led, confidential forum for discussing mental health; staff said sessions include vetted adults, ASL and wraparound supports and the district hopes to expand the program across all three high schools.
The Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District Board heard from students and staff about Be the Change Day, a revived student-led program that staff and participants said offers a confidential space for students to share mental-health experiences.
Hannah Price, a senior at Absegami High School, told the board the day "felt like for once students could actually take off their masks and be real about what they go through every day" and urged the board to "please keep this program alive." Staff said the program is designed to be student-led but supported by vetted adults and includes breakout groups with both an adult and a student leader.
District staff described the logistics: sessions are limited (the district hopes to run two to three per year while it rebuilds leadership), phones and Apple Watches are secured during sessions, and activities such as an adapted “step forward” exercise are used to illustrate differences in students’ starting points. Staff also said the program included American Sign Language (ASL) elements in at least one session and that AtlantiCare provided planning and wraparound supports, including follow-up contact for students after the event.
Board members asked whether freshmen should participate immediately and were told the district piloted the program with juniors and seniors this year because of maturity and readiness concerns; staff said freshman participation could be considered later in the school year once students are more acclimated. Speakers emphasized that the program is intended to be more than a one-off event, with staff and student leaders exploring ways to embed lessons into school climate and ongoing activities.
There was no formal action taken on the program during the meeting. Board discussion focused on scheduling, finding student leaders, and ensuring follow-up supports are in place.
