Healthier Students and Staff at Northern NY School

Northern Adirondack Central School District
Ellenburg, New York
Clinton County (Northern Zone)
Near Canadian border

986 students

 

Issue

Obesity has tripled among teenagers and doubled among children 6 – 11 years old in the last 20 years. Students are becoming more sedentary and exhibit poor eating habits. Obesity increases the risk of many chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers. Diets high in saturated fat, excess calories and sodium can contribute to the development of chronic diseases.

 

Method

The Healthy Schools Leadership Institute (HSLI) is a five-year, professional development program that focuses on building organizational capacity for healthier schools; effectively advocating for healthier schools; using assessment strategies to evaluate the school environment; leading and motivating others responsible for school health promotion; managing coordination of healthier schools; and, soliciting resources for this initiative. HSLI recruits schools to participate in the initiative. The Northern Adirondack Central School District (NACS) is one of nineteen that the HSLI has worked with since 2005.

Pamela Boulerice, health educator was accepted into the Healthy Schools Leadership Institute in the Spring of 2005. She focused first on recruiting key people including administrators, health and physical educators, food service professionals, faculty, staff, parents, community members, and students to be a part of the District Wellness Council that meets five times per year. The Council then completed the School Health Index needs assessment at the middle/high school level and set a vision along with goals and objectives for improvement.


Impact

Since 2005, Northern Adirondack CSD:

Has a board-approved District Health Coordinator position with a job description
Developed a wellness policy that created healthier options in all cafeterias and vending machines;
Revamped vending options to meet guidelines recommended by the Clinton County Health Department, the only school in the county in full compliance;
Created a website the lists all school foods provided on the grounds with nutritional information and calorie count;
Added a salad and sub bar at the middle/high school level (6-12);
Established a universal free breakfast program for grades K-5;
Established a health and wellness youth club that was instrumental in implementing a Heart Smart cart with healthy after school snacks;
Purchased equipment for the fitness room and expanded the fitness room hours so that more faculty, staff, and community members could use it;
Purchased fitness equipment for "gym bags" that students/teachers sign out from the school library;
Supplied Wii and Wii fit programs in the elementary and middle/high school libraries for teachers to sign out;
Provided numerous staff wellness events and activities throughout the school year;
Organized and sponsored by health students and the District Wellness Council a Community Services Awareness Program with informational booths provided by community agencies and health students and scheduled activities throughout the day, for example, kayaking in the pool, yoga, trek races, and the Friendly Feud between teachers and students. School clubs participate informing students and the community what they are all about;
Sponsored the NAC IDOL along with the Health Club, "To Health With It", the music department, and Council providing an opportunity for students to showcase their musical talents; and
Sponsored the "Wall of Pride" with 7th grade health students interviewing and showcasing NAC staff and teachers.
Importance of Impact

Healthy school environments allow students to establish healthy habits that last a lifetime and encourage faculty and staff to be healthier, too. NACS recognizes this by involving students and staff in the process and providing them with the tools needed to improve their environment.

 

Keys to Success

NACS recognizes that maintenance is a critical component of their Healthy Schools initiative. District Wellness Council members may come and go depending upon their interest, but having a strong "skeleton" crew is what keeps things going. Reviewing and updating goals and objectives as items are accomplished also helps keep the momentum going. Finally, being persistent and keeping the Board of Education, staff, and the community up to date via newsletters and meetings ensures continued support for healthier schools.

 

Future Plans

In the next five years, NACS plans to revisit the School Health Index in both the middle/high school and the elementary school to report progress and look for future areas of improvement. They also plan to develop a comprehensive K-12 health curriculum and focus on staff wellness. Securing commitment through town and library officials, NACS also plans to provide fitness and health bags in local libraries that students can sign out and take home to use.

 

Words of Wisdom: "The health of our students is the responsibility of each of us. Patience, courage, commitment, and involvement pave the road to a successful Healthy School and learning environment. One must be healthy to model health. Administration and school boards need to realize and support a Coordinated Healthy School program which translates into healthy teachers, healthy students, and a healthy school and community." Pamela Boulerice

 

For more information about health and wellness at Northern Adirondack Central School District, contact:

Pamela Boulerice, Health Coordinator/Health Educator

Northern Adirondack Central School District

PO Box 164

Ellenburg, NY 12935

Phone: 518-594-3962

E-Mail: pboulerice@nacs1.org

 

For information about the Healthy Schools Leadership Institute, contact:

Stephanie Gray, Program Director

Healthy Schools Leadership Institute

NYS Association for Health,

Physical Education, Recreation and Dance

Phone: 518.568.5764

E-mail: sgray@nysahperd.org