community

Many of the initiatives and programs that promote wellness have long been ingrained elements of our program and community. The sheer abundance of outdoor activity offerings and time spent in nature is core to what we do. These opportunities offer students a chance to unplug from technology and other daily stressors, learn skills that build confidence and kindness, strengthen relationships with faculty and peers, and practice mindfulness during long days on the trail or laying under the stars at night. The sport and service programs required for all CRMS students—offer important outlets for busy minds and can promote mental and physical well-being. Additionally, the emphasis of belonging to a community and being connected, seen, and heard contribute hugely to a young person’s well being.

CRMS students are fortunate to have access to a wide range of support when it is needed. Our newly renovated Wellness Center in the center of campus is home to our full-time Registered Nurse and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Students can meet with our school clinician or be referred to meet with outside counselors.

Regular yoga and meditation classes are available to everyone in the community. Freshmen and Sophomores put away their cell phones throughout study hall in the evenings so that they learn to build healthy habits around technology. Freshman Seminar, a bi-weekly integrated class, is required for all 9th graders and features topics such as self-esteem, diversity, physical health, human sexuality, drug and alcohol awareness, and study skills. Throughout the year, “no homework” days are peppered in the schedule to allow for a time to truly rest, recharge, and reconnect during the busy school year. At every turn, we  aim to support the health and well being of all CRMS students so that they can thrive in our program.

Each year, we bring outside experts to campus to work with students and host conversations on topics such as managing and engaging with stress in a healthy, productive way; sexuality, consent, and healthy relationships; substance abuse; and other topics related to living a healthy and balanced life.

The garden sits centrally on the CRMS campus. It spans nearly two acres of organic vegetable gardens, a nursery, composting program, a greenhouse, hoop house, potting shed, and a small apple orchard. In keeping with the school’s academic mission, the garden serves not only as a key source of food for the CRMS kitchen but also as a vehicle to provide hands-on agricultural education.

In season, the garden produces a wide array of produce including carrots, onions, beets, turnips, rutabagas, potatoes, raspberries, leeks, kale, chard, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, summer and winter squash, pumpkins, rhubarb, asparagus, beans, peas, garlic, basil, melons, and a multitude of culinary herbs. In addition, the orchards produce apples and apricots.

One hundred percent of this harvest goes to the CRMS kitchen program; any surplus is donated to LIFT-UP, a local food bank. CRMS offers a first-quarter “garden harvest” service crew where students help to harvest and store over 6,000 pounds of the remaining produce. In this way, the kitchen can utilize stored carrots and onions well into the winter months.

Fun fact: Over the course of a year, approximately 40% of the produce (approximately 8,000 pounds) used by the school will have originated from the CRMS garden.