Wellness CoMMITTEEs/councils
We believe we have a responsibility to improve the health and well-being of our children. Experience shows that schools can be powerful places to initiate behavioral and environmental changes for students and staff. To make our school environments healthier, all APS schools are now required to form a School Wellness Council.
The purpose of Wellness Councils is to bring together representatives from the school community who can help address issues facing the health and well-being of our children. School Wellness Council members might include the Principal or Assistant Principal, Physical Education Teachers, School Health Aides and Nurses, Food Service Managers, Counselors, Teachers involved in school gardens and health education, students, and most importantly, concerned and motivated parents.
School Wellness Councils are committed to making positive changes in policies and programs that affect the health of students and staff. They will examine and assess progress towards meeting wellness standards, and plan for changes in the classroom, cafeteria, playing fields, school functions, and more. Wellness Councils will also share, celebrate, and be recognized for best practices in creating a healthy environment for students to learn and grow. Wellness Councils will be linked through SHAB and will be able to network with other school Wellness Councils.
As part of the Wellness Council development process, schools are required to complete the Alliance for a Healthier Generation Healthy Schools Program Self-Assessment, which is based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) School Health Index.
The School Health Index (SHI): Self-Assessment & Planning Guide 2017 is an online self-assessment and planning tool. The SHI was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in partnership with school administrators and staff, school health experts, parents, and national nongovernmental health and education agencies to:
The SHI features:
Two APS Schools piloted the SHI in 2015: Jamestown and Oakridge Elementary Schools. Taylor Elementary piloted the SHI in 2016.
All schools were required to complete the Alliance for a Healthier Generation Healthy Schools Program Self-Assessment in the fall of 2018.
Next steps for schools are to form Wellness Councils to address the results, and to share their wellness activities with the school and community.
Does your school have a PTA Health or Wellness Committee? If so, you are well on your way to building a Wellness Council.
Please tell us about your school's Health/Wellness Committee below:
The purpose of Wellness Councils is to bring together representatives from the school community who can help address issues facing the health and well-being of our children. School Wellness Council members might include the Principal or Assistant Principal, Physical Education Teachers, School Health Aides and Nurses, Food Service Managers, Counselors, Teachers involved in school gardens and health education, students, and most importantly, concerned and motivated parents.
School Wellness Councils are committed to making positive changes in policies and programs that affect the health of students and staff. They will examine and assess progress towards meeting wellness standards, and plan for changes in the classroom, cafeteria, playing fields, school functions, and more. Wellness Councils will also share, celebrate, and be recognized for best practices in creating a healthy environment for students to learn and grow. Wellness Councils will be linked through SHAB and will be able to network with other school Wellness Councils.
As part of the Wellness Council development process, schools are required to complete the Alliance for a Healthier Generation Healthy Schools Program Self-Assessment, which is based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) School Health Index.
The School Health Index (SHI): Self-Assessment & Planning Guide 2017 is an online self-assessment and planning tool. The SHI was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in partnership with school administrators and staff, school health experts, parents, and national nongovernmental health and education agencies to:
- Enable schools to identify strengths and weaknesses of health and safety policies and programs
- Enable schools to develop an action plan for improving student health, which can be incorporated into the School Improvement Plan
- Engage teachers, parents, students, and the community in promoting health-enhancing behaviors and better health
The SHI features:
- Updated nutrition content to align with new USDA regulations, including Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.
- Revised physical education content to align with updated national standards and advancements in physical activity programming.
Two APS Schools piloted the SHI in 2015: Jamestown and Oakridge Elementary Schools. Taylor Elementary piloted the SHI in 2016.
All schools were required to complete the Alliance for a Healthier Generation Healthy Schools Program Self-Assessment in the fall of 2018.
Next steps for schools are to form Wellness Councils to address the results, and to share their wellness activities with the school and community.
Does your school have a PTA Health or Wellness Committee? If so, you are well on your way to building a Wellness Council.
Please tell us about your school's Health/Wellness Committee below:
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Schools need wellness council volunteers in 2018-19!Each school will form a Wellness Council, led by the school principal or assistant principal, who will have the authority and responsibility to report on the school’s compliance with the Wellness Policy and inform the school community about wellness activities. Wellness Councils should be broadly inclusive and include teachers of physical education, school nurses, counselors, food service staff, parents, students, and others. After you complete this form, your information will be forwarded to the school personnel responsible for organizing the Wellness Council.
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