Clyde-Savannah CSD embraces coordinated school health

Clyde-Savannah Central School District
Clyde, New York
Wayne County (Central Western Zone)
Finger Lakes

982 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 Clyde-Savannah Central School District is one of nineteen that the HSLI has worked with since 2005.

Kathy Miner, health educator, was accepted into the Healthy Schools Leadership Institute in the Spring of 2005. Using resources from the Healthy Schools Leadership Institute, Kathy's first task was to write a job description for a District Health Coordinator position in conjunction with her Superintendent and present it to the Board of Education for approval. The Board of Education approved the job description and the position was then negotiated through teachers contracts. Today the position includes a stipend and release time for coordinating school health efforts.

 

Impact

Since 2005, Clyde-Savannah CSD:

Set-up representative building-level Healthy School teams that meet regularly;
Created a district-wide health and wellness committee, which includes representatives from each building-level wellness team;
Revisited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s School Health Index periodically and developed action plans based on these assessments for all school buildings;
Developed a wellness policy that eliminated candy sales as a fundraiser;
Revised their tobacco policy;
Created a community walking trail on district property;
Established ongoing employee wellness programs and activities;
Oversaw purchase of health education curriculum for the elementary school;
Offered healthy choices at concessions during athletic competitions; and
Implemented an Eagle Pride Day, an elementary school character and wellness activity day.


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. Clyde-Savannah CSD recognizes this by involving students and staff in the process and providing them with the tools needed to improve their environment.

 

Keys to Success

Supportive administrators, Board of Education, parents, and staff are a critical component of any initiative. Completion of the School Health Index was key in securing support initially because all parties are involved in the process of assessing and action planning. Completing the School Health Index also provides a baseline to show progress and helped in attaining mini-grants for programming efforts.

 

Future Plans

In the next five years, Clyde-Savannah CSD plans to continue revisiting the School Health Index periodically to show progress and keep staff and students moving forward. They also plan to expand physical activity opportunities through the addition of fitness trail equipment for the walking trail and establishment of an intramural program.

 

For more information about health and wellness at Clyde-Savannah Central School District, contact:

Kathy Miner, District Health Coordinator/Health Educator

Clyde-Savannah Central School District

215 Glasgow Street

Clyde, NY 14433

Phone: 315.902.3050

E-Mail: kminer@clydesavannah.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