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Norwalk students present peer mental‑health program and call for earlier college‑planning supports
Summary
Student teams described a peer‑led mental‑health program piloted at PTECH and middle schools and presented survey data showing 30% of students unsure about post‑high‑school plans; they urged earlier counseling, clearer pathways and more alumni/counselor support.
Two student groups appearing before the Norwalk Board of Education on June 2 showcased student‑led initiatives aimed at supporting peers.
A PTECH junior, Laura Hoxha, described a peer‑mentorship mental‑health program in which trained high‑school students visit middle‑school classrooms to lead stress‑management activities, "stress check‑ins" and coping‑skills sessions. The model trains high‑school mentors to be supportive guides, not clinicians, and includes explicit referral steps to counselors or social workers when issues exceed peer capacity. "It's kind of just having somebody to listen to you so, like, they could understand how you feel and kind of validate those feelings," one presenter said.
A separate student team presented a postsecondary‑planning survey and recommendations. Their data showed 30% of respondents feel unsure about plans after high school and only 6% feel very familiar with the college‑application process; 72% of responding students indicated interest in two‑ or four‑year college. Students recommended clearer, condensed counseling resources, more early outreach to middle‑schoolers, expanded essay and application support (including after‑school workshops) and greater alumni involvement.
Superintendent Dr. Estrella and board members praised the students’ work and said administrators are considering how to build on the recommendations. The transcript shows board staff acknowledged budget constraints for hiring additional counselors but said the district is discussing how to prioritize college‑and‑career advisers in future budgets.
What happens next: students were given certificates and the district said officials will continue to discuss implementation and how to align resources in upcoming budget planning.
