Namaste Charter School in Chicago's McKinley Park neighborhood recently set aside an entire school day for student, staff and school community wellness, including a complete break from electronic technology.
"We show them that there's a world outside of technology," said physical education teacher Kenneth Boyd. No phones, screens or other electronic technologies were used all day at the school, he said.
The McKinley Park Community Garden's Nicholas Efrosinis and Namaste Charter School Principal Rocio Tovar man the gardening station at the school's wellness day on May 22, 2026.Instead, students, staff and parents unplugged with team-building challenges and cooperative games, wellness walks, art and craft stations, and a farmer's market providing fresh, healthy foods that students could consume at the school and take home to their families. The wellness day took place on Friday, May 22, 2026.
More Calm
"They're a lot more calm without technology," said teacher Andrea Lemus.
What started as a single day each year now takes place two or three times each year, said Namaste Principal Rocio Tovar.
Importance of Wellness
"We want kids to understand that wellness is important," she said.
Students and parents helm the farmer's market station for Namaste Charter School's wellness day on May 22, 2026."Intercepting students at such a young age is so innovative," said Marissa Garcia, who was among the school parents volunteering to run the farmers market stand and other wellness day stations.
Littles and Bigs
Physical education teacher Hannah Koester noted how all grades took part in activities together. "The littles get to play with the bigs," she said.
These cooperative activities and friendly competitions "let students learn how to win — and lose — with grace," Koester said.
Farmers Market
From left, physical education teachers Hannah Koester, Kenneth Boyd and Michelle Sanchez monitor races at Namaste Charter School's wellness day on May 22, 2026.Parent Gerardo Casales manned the farmers market and noted how parents come in to buy fresh produce, too. "They love it," he said.
Maricela Herrera, another parent manning the farmers market, pointed out the awareness-building the day brings to families, including sources of local fresh food such as at The Plant and its events in the Back of the Yards neighborhood.
Succulent Mandalas
"This fits in with food education," Herrera said. "It's a wonderful experience."
McKinley Park Community Garden member Nicholas Efrosinis helmed a gardening station allowing participants to create "succulent mandalas" that were easy to plant and care for.
Wellness Pillar
Participants make pressed-flower bookmarks at Namaste Charter School's wellness day on May 22, 2026."We want families to have more green space in their houses," Tovar said.
Namaste Charter School is a Chicago Public Schools charter school at 3737 S. Paulina St., Chicago, enrolling Kindergartners through 8th graders. Nutrition, health and wellness is the first of the school's four "pillars" that defines its mission, objectives and school culture.
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