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District Wellness Council

Established 2017 

Mission:  
The Margate City School District Wellness Council is dedicated to improving and maintaining the general health and well-being of all students and staff. The purpose of the Wellness Council is to promote greater health awareness by providing information, activities and services designed to support healthy lifestyle choices.

Vision:  
A school community engaged in personal wellness and an environment that promotes the health and well-being of all students and staff.

                       Wellness can be thought of as the quality or state of being in good health.
                                                                                                 –World Health Organization
                     
                   Wellness can be further defined as a dynamic process involving aspects of well- being.
                                                                                                – National Wellness Institute 
Goals:

  • Review and assess implementation of district health, wellness, and nutrition policies.
  • Identify high stress times for both schools and areas where positive change can occur.
  • Advocate for staff  and student wellness using ongoing needs assessment.
  • Plan and implement programs for a healthy school community.

Membership:
The steering committee, lead by the Health/Physical Education teachers and the School Nurses, shall coordinate the District Wellness Council to include 6-10 other members  from the staff and community interested in promoting health and wellness in the schools. Members may include (but are not limited to): district administration, teachers/staff,  director of food services, parents, and community representatives.

The District Wellness Council will meet 3-4x a year (or as needed) to accomplish the stated goals. Subcommittees may meet more frequently to plan and implement specific actions to benefit the wellness objectives. Most meetings can take place during the school day.

Proposed Actions:
Support Existing Healthy Initiatives

  • School Gardens/Harvest of the Month Program
  • Food Services
  • Physical Education/Health Curriculum
  • Walk/Bike to School Program -Walking Wednesdays
  • School Climate PRIDE Programs
  • Community Outreach Workshops (Suicide Prevention, Internet Safety)
  • School Assembly programs promoting nutrition, fitness, social and emotional health, career awareness.
  • Medical Safety Training- CPR/AED Certification

Promote Staff Wellness

  • Fitness Programs (walking club, after school yoga…)
  • Stress Reduction
  • Nutritional Support (clean water access, healthy recipe exchange)

Expansion of Physical Education Program

  • Coordination with JCC for swimming lessons, rock climbing, ...
  • Ross Running program

Establish Mindful Moments program to help children cope with stress.

  • Time Out Locations
  • Guided breathing exercises
  • Free-writing

Funding Sources:
A combination of local funds, grants, the MEF, and community support for initiatives will be sought for any actions that require funding for materials/supplies, outside presenters/instructors, or teacher stipends.

Research supports the positive impact of proper nutrition and physical fitness on improved student attention, academic achievement, behavior, and attendance, in addition to, or as a result of, higher self-esteem and lower levels of anxiety.

Resources: