CULTURE KEEPER PROGRAM
About
Culture Keepers work in the LHS Wellness Center and create an intentional culture on campus; one which creates safe spaces at school for students to speak their truths and to listen to others without judgment, both inside and outside of the classroom. These students are advocates for mental health and physical wellness, they help create an inclusive school environment, and they design and implement social emotional learning (SEL) programs, events, and workshops for the school. These students are often interested in working in the field of social work, mental health, therapy, psychology, or counseling.
Culture Keeper activities may include:
Peer mental health support training
Culture Keeper Projects
Helping maintain the Wellness Center
Helping students emotionally regulate and return to class
Social media content development
School-Wide Events and Workshops
Class Presentations
Intradistrict programming
If you are interested in becoming a Culture Keeper please contact Mr. Radecke at zradecke@lvjusd.org or complete the application below.
Previous Projects 2024-2025
Our Culture Keepers have done amazing work supporting our LHS students and community to access resources to mental health and support our goal to create an inclusive and welcoming campus. Some of our Culture Keepers are also extending their community service to help local elementary school Wellness Centers throughout LVJUSD.
Please see below examples of the wonderful projects our LHS students have lead!
Additional Culture Keeper contributions:
PBIS HEROES mini-lessons
Unity Day (Anti-Bullying Awareness)
Chalk Affirmations around Campus
Suicide Awareness & Prevention
Holiday and Seasonal festivities and crafts
Academic Tips
Kindness Coffee Sleeves
Palisades Charter Elementary Letters
Student Lead Projects - Fall 2024
Mental Health in Athletics - Kerigan
In May 2024 I created a training guide to teach LHS coaches how to address mental health with their sports teams. This virtual guide explains how to support athletes in crisis and offers links to additional resources. After using this guide to destigmatize mental health awareness in our athletics department, I contacted a sports psychologist to meet with our LHS athletes. Grant Parr, a former NCAA football player, led a student-athlete mental health presentation that covered topics such as confidence, comparison, and stress management.
Mindful Garden - Lillian
I started the Mindful Garden with the goal of bringing color to our campus. When students see we care about the campus and make their environment a welcoming space they will want to try more academically. Plants are an amazing way to bring color and a fresh look to our campus.
Finals Week Wellness Bags - Tarini
Finals bags are packaged given to students before they take their finals. The bags each included a jolly rancher, sticker, pop-it keychain, pencil, and a study tip. The purpose of the bags was to help students destress during finals week.
Journaling Corner - Alyssa
For my project, I created a space where students can take a moment to release their emotions and what's on their minds through journal prompts. In the Journal Corner, students are provided with writing materials, paper, various kinds of journaling prompts, and notebooks they can take with them to continue journaling.
Dia de los Muertos - Octavio, Lishbet, & Vanessa
The day of the dead is a hispanic tradition that is celebrated in november second to remember those that left and passed away. In fact my project was to give information about the meaning of the altar and explain what each symbol represents on the altar. The purpose of my project was to show the culture and diversity that this helps to the hispanic community and also to share to other communities.
Neurodiversity Awareness: Colors of the Mind - Vanessa
“Colors of the Mind,” a project created by our Culture Keeper Vanessa that explores neurodiversity.
Her guide to neurodiversity features artwork from an online exhibition “Our Neurodivergent Experience” created by individuals aged 7 to 25.
Guide to Visualization & Meditation - Maysun
Visualization meditation is an exercise used to help prepare for competition or performance. It allows you to build confidence, gain focus, and achieve goals.
Coloring Posters for the Wellness Center - Sophia
An important part of dedicating time to yourself and focusing on your mental health is slowing down, taking a break, and filling some time with an artistic activity or project. Coloring is a great way to help your body relax and ease stress on the mind. Not only does it come with benefits for your sleep, negative feelings, and respiration, participating in a large collaborative coloring page helps to connect students through art and share the positives of coloring.
