UPPER CANADA DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Tagwi Students Reimagine Library Space to Support Student Mental Health and Wellness

A group of Grade 12 students at Tagwi Secondary School is leading a student-driven initiative to transform the school library into a collaborative wellness space designed to support mental health, focus, and well-being.

The Meeting Place,' as they called it, was developed by students Cedar Doherty, Chloe Jarvo, Abby MacLennan, and Annika Michaud, and guidance teacher Brandon Coleman after identifying a need for a dedicated space where students could decompress, collaborate, and practice healthy study habits.

"The idea started when we realized we didn't really have a space like this in our school," says MacLennan. "We wanted to create somewhere students could work, calm down, and take care of their mental health a space that actually belongs to them."

The layout of the large school library will be updated to incorporate this new space. It will feature seven stations inspired by the Seven Grandfather Teachings, offering students a variety of ways to engage with wellness practices depending on their needs. Plans include quiet areas for individual reflection, open collaborative zones for studying, and more private spaces equipped with tools such as virtual reality headsets for guided relaxation and mindfulness.

"It's not meant to be one-size-fits-all," says Michaud. "Students can move through the stations or choose the one that works best for them in that moment."

The project emerged through an eight-week planning and pitching program, where the team developed a comprehensive proposal that has since helped secure multiple sources of funding. To date, this includes a $3,000 grant from the 2025 CoLab High School Program, a $1,500 Youth Investing in Community Grant from the United Way, and a $12,000 community donation from the Ryan Milton Haley Memorial Baseball Tournament (held in honour of a former student).

"This process gave us a blueprint," says Coleman. "The students now have a clear plan they can continue to build on, and it's already opened doors to additional funding and community support."

Rather than a single launch date, the wellness space will be developed in phases, allowing students and staff to adjust and evolve the stations over time.

"I don't think it will ever really be done," says Doherty. "Students change, needs change, and we want the space to grow with them."

While the project was initiated by Grade 12 students, sustainability is a key focus. Younger students will be invited to help promote, maintain, and further develop the space in future years, ensuring it remains relevant and student-centred.

"This is about more than redesigning a room," adds Doherty. "It's about making mental health something students can actually practice at school, not just talk about."

The Tagwi Meeting Place reflects Upper Canada District School Board's commitment to student well-being and empowering students to create meaningful change within their school communities.