Bring Change 2 Mind (BC2M) is a renowned mental health club on Castaic High School’s campus. Run by senior Meuh Norther, the club has helped decrease mental health stigma on campus. From therapy dog events and Bob Ross painting events to Yoga and meditations during lunch, BC2M has been an integral part of keeping the students of Castaic, well, sane.  

Most notably BC2M helped to establish the Zen Den on campus. Students can go to room 212 at any time to take a break from the stress of school and access mental health resources right on campus. This year BC2M is undertaking its most notable project yet: the addition of emotional support pets in every classroom at the school. 

“We’re very excited to be venturing into this new territory,” Norther, president of the club, announced via Instagram on March 7. “No other school in the district has aimed as high as this club. I’m so proud of our dedicated members who made the launch of CHAOS possible!”

CHAOS stands for Castaic High’s Animals Of Support which is the project BC2M is focused on fully launching this year. BC2M has organized for Jr Emotional Support Animals (ESA) to be trained in classrooms at Castaic. Supplied by Castaic Ranch and Exotic Animal Shelter, the Jr. ESA would help the students destress as well as continue to train the animals in a highly social environment. 

Before the program is fully launched, Norther is working with certain teachers to “soft launch” the pilot project in classrooms. Participants include Mrs. Rocksalt in the library, Mrs. Avancena who teaches AP Language and Composition, Ms. Copeland who teaches English 9, and AP Calculus teacher Mr. Tursley. Each classroom received one or two unique animals to take care of over the course of March. The four brave pilot classrooms have mixed reviews on the experience. 

“Well Poot poops on just about everything,” explains Judy Welch, junior in Mrs. Avancena’s AP Lang class. “I was reading the Alchemist for Carpe Librum and he just flew over and released his white sticky fecal matter on my book! Which was great because I hate that book.” 

Even though the training of these Emotional Support Animals is a challenge, the students seem to be overjoyed about their new classmates. However, others are not as pleased. 

“Why couldn’t we have got a puppy?” asks Mart Kelley, a sophomore who has advisory in the library which is currently home to Smithers, a red-finned turtle. “All it does is sit there.”  

More fun furry friends can be found in Mr. Tursley’s AP Calc classroom. Hun and Bun are the rabbit pair currently occupying room 210. They’re French Lop bunnies and are apparently on an intellectual binge.

“They’ve eaten all the Calculus textbooks,” explains Mr. Tursley. “Not one book in the class set has our next chapter on Optimization or Related Rates intact!” 

Mr. Tursley’s class is filled with zealous students, ready to learn. Many of them are enjoying their new fuzzy friends. In particular, one senior in AP Calc AB class seems to have taken advantage of the bunnies’ pandemonium. There is no doubt Hun and Bun have successfully nibbled their way through a class set of textbooks, but entire chapters disappearing amounts to more paper than those two bunnies can consume. 

“Yeah I’ve started ripping them out,” confesses the senior who wishes to remain anonymous. “Some people call me a hero. Some of the nerds hate me. But, hey, I’m doing community service here! You know, your club should appreciate that kinda thing.” 

Speaking of BC2M, upon reaching out to notable club President Meuh Norther for comment on the progress of CHAOS, the paper received some unfortunate news. Norther seems to have checked into the Henry Mayo Mental Institution, taking a leave from school. She cited stress and anxiety as the major causes for the temporary leave from her post. After stepping down from the mental health club for her own mental health, Second in Command, Christin Tatterson, is now left in charge of CHAOS. 

“I can’t blame her,” said Tatterson. “I mean, once Squiggy started shooting his quills, I wanted to quit also.” 

Squiggy, the emotional support hedgehog in room 503 has been known to have somewhat of a temperamental nature. 

“He shot a quill right in my hand!” said freshman Pete Levine. “I couldn’t write for a whole week! It was awesome!” Ms. Copeland, English 9 teacher, now strongly advises her students to wear a pair of heavy duty leather gloves before handing Squiggy. 

Despite the recent excitement CHAOS has stirred up, the administration has stayed quiet. Upon reaching out to the administration in regards to CHAOS, Principal Perry released a brief statement: 

“We encourage our bright and passionate students to initiate their own projects, particularly for the progress of the student body. At this time the district has advised us not to release any sensitive or incriminating information about the CHAOS program.” 

BC2M’s new program has endured some ups and downs, but overall these furry and spiky friends are having a blast with the students. Keep your fingers crossed that these pilot classrooms were successful enough to warrant the expansion of CHAOS!

This is a work of satire. Any names of students or staff are fictitious. All events or incidents are fictitious. References to Castaic High School clubs, classes, or policies are satirical in nature and not for informational purposes.