McGraw CSD Gets An A+ For Improving Student and Staff Health

McGraw Central School District
McGraw, New York
Cortland County (Central South Zone)
Central New York, east of the Tioughnioga River

575 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 McGraw Central School District is one of nineteen that the HSLI has worked with since 2005.

Jenny Tucker, health educator, joined the HSLI in the Spring of 2005 already with a good start towards a coordinated school health program. McGraw CSD had completed the Mariner Model needs assessment in the Spring of 2003 and had a district-level healthy school team in place. McGraw's focus was on how to improve what they already had in place and build sustainability into their program.

 

Impact

Since 2005, McGraw CSD:

Completed the School Health Index needs assessment and developed a school health improvement plan in 2005 and in 2008;
Maintained a District Healthy School Team which meets monthly during the school year;
Maintained key membership and active involvement District Healthy School Team members;
Appointment of a District Health Coordinator with an approved job description, annual stipend, and release time during every school day;
Incorporated a wellness and fitness activity into every Superintendent's Day for all faculty and staff;
Offer vegetable wraps on a daily basis as a healthier lunch alternative;
Replaced high sugar/low nutrient drink vending machine in cafeteria with vending machines which offer bottled water, low-fat milk selections, and 100% fruit juices;
Phased out Little Debbie snacks and high saturated fat fried snack packages (chips) available on the cafeteria serving line as an add-on and replaced with lower fat multigrain baked snack options;
Phased out whole fat milk and ice cream options and replaced with reduced fat options;
Phased in whole grain pasta, rolls, pizza crust, and sandwich options;
Established annual pedometer challenges for students and staff which runs January through June;
Established a district-wide Tobacco Policy which continues to be communicated with the school community, and which has proven to be effective and supported;
Established a district-wide Wellness Policy; annually communicated to staff/faculty and the community through newsletters;
Provided an annual report to the Superintendent and Board of Education on ongoing and new health promotion initiatives;
Provided monthly updates to school administration on school health initiatives;
Purchased fitness equipment (BOSU equipment, aerobic steps, snowshoes, and DVD's) through grant allotments to increase fitness options for students and staff/faculty; and
Received a Silver level New York Healthy STARS award in June 2007 formally recognizing them for their commitment to developing healthy schools that support student learning and create an environment conducive to the health and well-being for faculty, staff, and all students.


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. McGraw 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

There are a number of things that have contributed to the success in creating healthier schools at McGraw CSD, including:

Completion and use of the two School Health Index assessments;
Support of school administration and the Board of Education;
Appointment of the District Health Coordinator with a job description, annual stipend and release time;
Maintaining key people in active roles on the District Healthy School Team;
Partnerships with community agencies, parents, faculty/staff, and students;
Financial support through grants; and
Networking and support provided through the Healthy Schools Leadership Institute.


Future Plans

In the next five years, McGraw CSD plans to improve communication with their community on school health initiatives and get them involved in them! They also want to improve physical activity offerings by making the fitness room more accessible to students. Finally, improving nutritional offerings will continue to remain at the forefront of the Food Services Director and Healthy School Teams work.

 

Words of Wisdom: "I've learned many things from teaching 7th through 12th graders for 23 years, but I think the most important thing I've learned is to teach these young adults to be emotionally stronger. Resiliency begins inside each of our heads." Jenny Tucker

 

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

Jenny Tucker, District Health Coordinator

McGraw Central School District

PO Box 556

McGraw, NY 13101

Phone: 607.836.3601

E-Mail: jtucker@mcgrawschools.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