RAPID CITY, SD — What started as a simple idea to help students begin their school day on a positive note has grown into one of the most popular student programs at Wilson Elementary School.

The Morning Nest, launched this school year at Wilson Elementary, provides students with a welcoming space before school where they can brush their teeth, wash their faces, style their hair, socialize with friends and prepare for the day ahead. The program was created by school counselor Brittany Henry-James after hearing about a similar initiative at another school and recognizing a need among Wilson students.

Henry-James said the goal was to create a soft start to the school day and a place where students could feel supported before entering the classroom. What she expected might attract a dozen students quickly grew into a program that regularly welcomed between 20 and 70 children on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Student council members helped manage sign-ins, and community support soon followed through donations and a grant from the Rapid City Public School Foundation.

Students receive basic hygiene supplies including toothbrushes, toothpaste, chapstick, combs and other self-care items. Mirrors, hair accessories, face wipes and additional supplies are available for students to use before class. Donations from families, the school’s Parent Teacher Association and local organizations have helped keep the program stocked throughout the year.

While the program focuses on hygiene and self-care, organizers say its impact extends far beyond appearance. Henry-James said the Morning Nest became a place of belonging where students from different grade levels could interact, support one another and build relationships. She noted that some students looked forward to helping younger children, while others simply appreciated having a calm environment where they could connect with friends and trusted adults before class.

“The sense of someone brushing your hair or caring for you or doing something was pretty powerful,” Henry-James said, adding that many students seemed to start their day with greater confidence and readiness to learn. Teachers also observed that students often appeared more prepared and focused after attending the program.

The program also created opportunities for mentorship. Recent Central High School graduate Melissa Saucerman volunteered regularly at Morning Nest, helping students style their hair and build relationships. Saucerman, who plans to attend Black Hills State University and pursue a degree in elementary education, said the program gave students a confidence boost before the school day began.

“I think Morning Nest is such a confidence boost for all of the kids that come,” Saucerman said. “Their hair is braided and pulled back, they’re feeling good about themselves going into the day, and they’ve already had conversations with people before classes start.”

Foundation Executive Director Sara Hornick praised the program as an example of educational innovation, noting that the grant committee viewed the initiative as a creative way to address student needs. Hornick said many children may not have consistent morning support at home due to family work schedules, making programs like Morning Nest especially valuable. She added that providing students with care, compassion and a sense of connection can have a lasting impact on their school experience.

Looking ahead, Henry-James hopes Morning Nest continues to evolve while maintaining its focus on helping students feel grounded, connected and ready to learn. She believes even a few minutes of positive interaction can influence the rest of a student’s day and create meaningful opportunities for belonging within the school community.

For Wilson Elementary students, Morning Nest has become much more than a place to brush their teeth or fix their hair. It has become a place where they are seen, supported and welcomed before the first bell rings.