Question 1

What is HTM’s Student Support & Wellness Program?

Accepted Answer

Through HTM’s partnership with Replenish Counseling, students have access to Social Emotional Learning programming, school-wide wellness support, and brief individual student check-ins. The program is designed to help students build emotional awareness, communication skills, healthy relationships, confidence, resilience, and practical tools for navigating everyday challenges at school.

Question 2

Does participating mean my child has a mental health diagnosis or is “in trouble”?

Accepted Answer

No. Participation does not mean that a child has a diagnosis, that something is seriously wrong, or that they have done something wrong. The program follows a prevention and early-support model. Its purpose is to give students opportunities to learn and practice emotional and social skills before everyday challenges become more difficult to manage.

Question 3

What is the difference between school-based support and therapy?

Accepted Answer

School-based wellness check-ins are brief, practical, and focused on skills a student can use during the school day. A meeting may focus on identifying emotions, communicating with peers, working through friendship concerns, managing classroom anxiety, or practicing tools for attention and self-regulation. These check-ins are not: - Psychotherapy or ongoing outpatient counseling - A mental health evaluation or diagnosis - Crisis or intensive mental health treatment - A setting for processing trauma - A replacement for care from a therapist or healthcare provider When a student needs deeper, ongoing, or more specialized support, Christine may contact the family to discuss additional resources outside of school.

Question 4

Who can recommend a student for individual check-ins?

Accepted Answer

A student may be recommended for support by: - Their parent or guardian - An HTM teacher - HTM leadership - A member of the Student Support & Wellness Team Parents may also make a referral directly when they notice that their child could use additional support with emotions, friendships, stress, communication, confidence, attention, or another school-related concern.

Question 5

Will I know if my child has been referred?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If a teacher, HTM leadership, or the wellness team recommends individual support, a parent or guardian will be contacted before check-ins begin. A recommendation does not automatically enroll a child in individual support. It begins a conversation about what has been noticed and whether check-ins may be helpful.

Question 6

Do I have to give permission?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Individual student check-ins only begin with parent or guardian permission. Social Emotional Learning activities and groups are part of HTM’s broader educational and student support programming. Individual check-ins are separate and require parent agreement.

Question 7

How do I refer my child?

Accepted Answer

Visit the Make a Referral page and complete the secure Student Wellness Referral Form. The form gives you space to share: - What you are noticing - Relevant background information - Your goals for your child - Any preferences or concerns the team should consider - Information that may help the team choose an appropriate graduate counseling student You do not need to know exactly what type of support your child needs before completing the form.

Question 8

What happens after I submit a referral?

Accepted Answer

Christine and Ryan will review the information you provide and may speak with your child’s teacher or HTM leadership to better understand what is happening at school. The wellness team will then follow up with you about whether the program appears to be an appropriate fit, answer any questions, and discuss next steps. When individual check-ins are recommended, your child will be matched with a graduate counseling student. You will receive information about the first meeting and the planned schedule.

Question 9

How often do students meet?

Accepted Answer

Most students meet once a week or every other week, depending on the student’s needs and the goals discussed with their parent or guardian. Individual check-ins typically last about 20 minutes.

Question 10

Will the meetings interfere with my child’s learning?

Accepted Answer

Meeting times are coordinated with HTM teachers to minimize disruption to the student’s learning and regular classroom experience. The wellness team works with teachers to select a time that is supportive of the student’s needs while being mindful of important classroom activities.

Question 11

What happens during a check-in?

Accepted Answer

Check-ins are conversational, creative, and skills-based. Depending on the student’s age and needs, a meeting may include: - Identifying and communicating emotions - Practicing friendship or conflict-resolution skills - Talking through a peer or school concern - Learning coping tools for anxiety, frustration, or stress - Developing strategies for attention, focus, and self-regulation - Practicing communication, problem-solving, or confidence-building skills Activities may include conversation, games, drawing, movement, stories, role-playing, or practicing a specific tool together.

Question 12

How will the meetings be introduced to my child?

Accepted Answer

HTM teachers help students know what to expect, and the graduate counseling student introduces the check-ins in a calm and age-appropriate way. Parents are also encouraged to talk with their child beforehand so the first meeting feels expected and supported. You might explain that the student will be meeting with someone who helps children practice handling feelings, friendships, and challenges at school.

Question 13

What if my child feels nervous or unsure?

Accepted Answer

That is completely normal. Students are not expected to immediately share personal information or feel comfortable during the first meeting. The graduate counseling students allow children to move at their own pace. Early meetings may focus on getting acquainted, playing a game, completing a creative activity, or learning what the check-ins will be like. Most students become more comfortable as familiarity and trust grow.

Question 14

Will my child meet with the same person each time?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A student will meet with the same graduate counseling student throughout their agreed-upon check-in period. Jason, Kylee, and Allie will remain with HTM throughout the 2026–2027 school year. This consistency allows students to become familiar with their wellness team member and develop a comfortable working relationship.

Question 15

Who provides the individual check-ins?

Accepted Answer

The check-ins are provided by graduate counseling students who are in the second or third year of their master’s degree programs and are completing supervised internship training. They receive ongoing guidance and supervision from Christine and Ryan, the program co-directors, as well as the supervision required through their graduate programs and clinical training. Visit the Meet the Wellness Team page to learn more about Christine, Ryan, Jason, Kylee, and Allie.

Question 16

Can my child meet weekly with Christine or Ryan instead?

Accepted Answer

Christine and Ryan generally do not provide the recurring weekly check-ins themselves. Their role is to oversee the broader program, create programming, supervise and support the graduate counseling students, and respond when a higher level of concern arises. They remain closely involved by reviewing student needs, consulting with the graduate counseling students, and guiding the support being provided. Christine also offers parent phone check-ins when a family needs help talking through a concern or considering outside resources.

Question 17

Are my child’s conversations private?

Accepted Answer

The wellness team wants students to feel safe speaking honestly while also keeping parents and the school appropriately informed. The team does not provide teachers or school leadership with a detailed account of everything a student says. Instead, relevant themes, goals, progress, and helpful classroom strategies may be shared when they support the student’s success at school.

Question 18

What information is shared with teachers and HTM leadership?

Accepted Answer

Teachers and HTM leadership may receive brief updates about the general areas being addressed, progress toward school-based goals, and strategies that may help the student in the classroom. For example, a teacher might be told that a student is practicing how to ask for space when frustrated or learning a strategy for calming their body before returning to a classroom activity. Private details that are not necessary for supporting the student are not routinely shared.

Question 19

Will parents receive updates?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Parents may receive updates about the student’s goals, overall progress, and tools that may be helpful to practice at home. Formal parent updates are planned during the school year, including updates in October and March. The wellness team may also contact parents at other times when collaboration, additional information, or a change in support would be helpful. Parents do not have to wait for a formal update to ask a question or share something important.

Question 20

What happens if my child shares a safety concern?

Accepted Answer

Any concern involving a student’s immediate safety or well-being will be communicated promptly to the appropriate adults. Christine and Ryan become directly involved when a higher-level concern arises. Parents and HTM leadership will be contacted as appropriate so the student can receive the support they need.

Question 21

What if the check-ins are not enough?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes brief school-based support helps the team recognize that a child may benefit from more consistent or specialized care. If this happens, Christine may contact the parent or guardian to share what the team is noticing, discuss possible next steps, and help connect the family with outpatient counseling or another appropriate community resource. The goal is not to label the child. It is to make sure the level of support matches what they need.

Question 22

Is there a cost to participate?

Accepted Answer

No. HTM fully funds the Student Support & Wellness Program, making it available to enrolled students at no additional cost to families.

Question 23

Can I share additional information or ask questions?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. The referral and history forms are helpful places to share background information, concerns, goals, and anything the wellness team should consider when supporting your child. Parents may also request a brief phone call with Christine or contact the wellness team with questions at any point. Think your child may benefit from individual support? Visit the Make a Referral page. Want to learn more about the people providing support? Visit the Meet the Wellness Team page. Want a broader overview of how the program works? Visit the What to Expect page. Still have a question or want to talk something through? Visit Get in Contact / Ask Questions to connect with the wellness team.