Welcome to a new column at the Ridge View Echo, where we spotlight the bright side of local life — stories full of hope, kindness and connection.
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, Blairstown Elementary School’s Student Climate and Culture Committee has released a special surprise that’s easy to access, free for all, and sure to inspire grins and giggles: the Dial-a-Smile phoneline.
Anyone is welcome to call the toll-free line at 1-888-970-1557. A recorded message greets the caller with “We are delighted to bring you a smile or a pick-me-up today,” and invites them to choose a number.
Each number corresponds to a different heartwarming message recorded by BES students. Callers can press 1 for Mrs. Apostolou’s students, 2 for Mrs. Constantine’s students, and 3 for Mrs. Huston’s students (so far).
The phoneline is the brainchild of BES fifth grade teacher Tammy Messina, who came up with the idea after attending Techspo, an educational technology conference held in Atlantic City this past January.
After getting the go-ahead from school administrators, kindergarten teachers and student families — in the form of permission slips — Messina tackled the technical aspects of setting up the number and recording student messages.
Once the phoneline was operational, the Student Climate and Culture Committee copied and distributed flyers to homerooms for students to take home. The committee’s leadership team went a step further, distributing flyers to community businesses and spreading the word through their parents’ social media accounts.
With its focus on emotional well-being, the phoneline is timed to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Month in May. First observed in 1949, the national initiative highlights the impact of mental health on overall wellness — a pressing concern amid an ongoing mental health crisis in youth.
“This project creates a positive atmosphere, and my hope is that our community will call when they need a pick me up or a little sunshine,” Messina wrote in an email. “Furthermore, it allows our smallest students to realize they can make a positive change in their community.”
The children chimed in with their own hopes for the hotline. They hope that after calling in, people will feel “Happy. So happy they’ll want ice cream!”
When asked if they had anything else to share with the community, the students had one message: “Keep calling to hear us and remember to smile.”
Messina plans to run the phoneline until June.
Chip O'Chang is an educator, fiction writer, and lifelong resident of New Jersey. He has also written for My Life Publications and NJ Indy. He lives in the NJ Skylands with his partner, two cats, and and a bearded dragon.
- Chip O'Chang, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/chip-ochang-contributing-writer/
- Chip O'Chang, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/chip-ochang-contributing-writer/
- Chip O'Chang, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/chip-ochang-contributing-writer/
- Chip O'Chang, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/chip-ochang-contributing-writer/
