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:
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Promote Staff Wellness
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Expansion of Physical Education Program
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Establish Mindful Moments program to help children cope with stress.
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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:
- www.atlanticare.org/hshc/tools-for-schools/
- www.healthiergeneration.org/
- www.actionforhealthykids.org/tools-for-schools
- www.sustainablejerseyschools.com/grants-resources/grants-portal/
- www.nj.gov/health/fhs/shapingnj/shapingnj/childcare/childcaretoolkit.html
- www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2012/11_0106.htm
- www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/health_and_academics/pdf/health-academic-achievement.pdf
- http://www.mindfulteachers.org/p/free-resources-and-lesson-plans.html