Long Island School Finds Success

Oceanside Union Free School District
Oceanside, New York
Nassau County (Nassau Zone)
Long Island

About 7,000 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 Oceanside Union Free School District is one of nineteen that the HSLI has worked with since 2005.

Sara Dowler, District Health Coordinator/Health Educator, and David Zawatson, Director of Physical Education, Health, and Athletics, were accepted into the Healthy Schools Leadership Institute in the Spring of 2005. In July of 2007, Denise Kiernan became the new Director of Physical Education, Health, and Athletics and assisted Oceanside in their efforts to create healthier students and healthier schools. Sara Dowler, said, "The Leadership Institute gave us all the tools and knowledge to return to our district and make it happen! When we returned from our first meeting, we got right to work advocating to District Administration about the need for a coordinated school health program."

 

Impact

Today, Oceanside UFSD has fully embraced the Healthy Schools concept. With the Superintendent’s full support, the board-approved District Health Coordinator, Sara Dowler, has been able to generate enthusiasm for the health of students, staff, and the community. Since 2005, Oceanside UFSD:

Set-up representative building-level wellness teams and selected/trained building team leaders;
Created a district-wide wellness committee, which includes representatives from each building-level wellness team;
Completed a needs assessment (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s School Health Index) and developed action plans based on these assessments for all school buildings;
Developed a wellness policy that created healthier options in all cafeterias and vending machines, and required that the building wellness team approve all fundraisers so healthier alternatives can be suggested;
Developed an extensive lifetime fitness program for all district employees and high school students;
Changed the middle school athletic schedule so athletic practices begin 45 minutes after the end of the school day. Athletes attend study hall during this time and those students that are not part of the athletic program can take advantage of fitness classes or organized physical activity in the gymnasiums; and
Secured grant funding to create outdoor fitness trails at four schools;
Created a bi-monthly newsletter and a website, http://homepage.oceanside.k12.ny.us/sdowler, that highlights the changes and programs being implemented;
Received a Bronze 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.

In addition, each individual school has its own way of improving the health of their students and staff. For more information, view the website listed above.

 

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. Oceanside UFSD 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, staff, and community members are key to making change in your school district. Persistence is needed at the beginning until everyone realizes the value of what you are trying to do. Putting the essential structures in place:

Board approved District Health Coordinator;
Representative District Health Council;
Representative building-level teams;
Completion of a needs assessment;
has helped to build sustainability. Healthier schools is not just another health initiative, but a long-term solution to whatever health issue arises.

 

Future Plans

Oceanside UFSD will conduct, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's School Health Index for the second time to evaluate the changes made in the District and find new target areas to improve the health of students and staff. Continuing to strengthen the building-level Healthy School Teams is an ongoing priority as this drives the entire process. Finding more efficient ways to communicate with community members and creating a coalition to prevent underage drinking are also plans for the future.

 

Words of Wisdom: "Through small steps, big changes will happen."

 

For more information about health and wellness at Oceanside Union Free School District, contact:

Sara Dowler, District Health Coordinator/Health Educator

Oceanside Union Free School District

3160 Skillman Ave

Oceanside, NY 11572

Phone: 516-678-7530/8565

E-Mail: sdowler@oceansideschools.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