The lack of MCPS policy on implementing wellness periods has resulted in varying approaches to scheduled student breaks. After the Covid 19 pandemic, feedback surveys reported that students enjoyed the relaxation provided by asynchronous learning on Wednesdays. As a result, WJ created the “PAWS” wellness program, now better known as Wildcat Wellness.

“The hope is that students can take an opportunity to catch their breath and take time to connect with the adults that they need to or to get the clarity they need,” Assistant Principal Rachel Maturana said.

The PAWS program gives students a free 45 minute period every Wednesday on a full week, rotating departments between the Math, English, Social Studies, Science, World Languages, Music and Art departments and other electives. On shortened weeks, either due to half days or holidays, the wellness time is removed to maximize academic learning.

“I think it’s really helpful as I can get my work done, especially with sports after school, I’m not really rushing,” senior Elsa Fulton said.

A common theme among schools is scheduled wellness on Wednesdays, as in this way the PAWs policy is similar to both that of Walt Whitman High School and Bethesda Chevy-Chase (BCC) High School.

At Whitman, students have a 45 minute block of relaxation and studying time every Wednesday named Walt Wisdom Time. Or, alternating with their Wisdom time, Whitman students have another program called “One Whitman” which is 45 minutes of facilitated discussions to foster community every other Wednesday. But, some students find these programs ineffective.

“I believe they could be impactful to some extent, but 45 minutes is not nearly enough time to rest or accomplish any meaningful work,” Whitman senior Gwenyth Joffre said. “On average, a high school student spends one to three hours on homework per night. As for the One Whitman program, I haven’t seen anything concrete that they are doing in these sessions other than discussing community problems.”

At BCC, students have a Wellbeing Wednesday with a double second period, providing 35 minutes to be used at the students’ leisure. Like WJ and Whitman, BCC also provides an hour lunch as part of the wellness plan.

“Lunch is extended for the intent for students to make those connections with teachers and also to have those social connections with peers,” Maturana said.

This time is a luxury compared to those at Quince Orchard High School. In addition to a 42 minute lunch, Quince Orchard has a 40 minute homeroom period each Friday that includes a lesson.

“They should add actual wellness periods so we can get work done,” Quince Orchard senior Joshua Tunis said.

While wellness policies differ across the county, administrators at WJ are always open to the feedback and opinions from the school community.

“Over the summer, [the leadership team] had parents and students come in for a socratic seminar discussion and we talked about, ‘Is this a value?’ and, ‘Should it look differently?’” Maturana said.