Peru Middle School Promotes Student and Staff Wellness

Peru Central School District
Peru, New York
Clinton County (Northern Zone)
10 miles South of Plattsburgh on Lake Champlain
45 miles South of Montreal

2,126 students

 

Issue

Obesity has tripled among teenagers and doubled among children 6 – 11 years old in the last 20 years. In 2005, Peru Middle School educators noted that their students were becoming more sedentary and exhibited 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 Peru Central School District is one of nineteen that the HSLI has worked with since 2005.

Diane Menard, a health educator from Peru Middle School, joined the HSLI in the spring of 2005. In November of 2005, Peru Middle School completed the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s School Health Index, a self-assessment and planning tool to improve school health and safety. The process brought faculty/staff, administration, the Board of Education, students, and the community together to discuss areas of strength and areas needing improvement. Physical activity, nutrition, parent and community involvement, and staff health promotion were all areas identified needing improvement at the middle school level.

 

Impact

In October of 2005, Peru Middle School had their first Health Council meeting with membership from administration, staff, students, and the community. Since then, the following changes are evident:

Developed a relaxation room with a massage chair for faculty, staff, and students;
With the help of a local hospital and the Heart Smart Program, they started a healthy after school snack cart run by students that benefits both Middle School and High School students. A refrigerator and microwave were purchased to assist with providing healthy after school snacks;
Established a walking club in 2006 for students and staff that continues to date;
Worked with community partners to obtain information on tobacco use, sexually transmitted diseases, alcohol and drug abuse, and obesity for open house and parent conferences. Community partners also assisted in providing programming for middle school students. For example, students and the community were able to participate in a CPR program;
Obtained grant money to purchase snow shoes for physical education and after school physical activity;
Obtained grant money to purchase a climbing wall;
Provided a wellness wakeup call message everyday during morning announcements in the 2006 – 2007 school year;
Conducted a 6th grade survey on bullying that revealed bullying was occurring on and around the campus. With this information, a program titled “Healthy Youth, Healthy Life” was developed;
Became a member of the Eat Well Play Hard group and received a mini-grant from them for basketballs, soccer balls, cups for stacking, trek bikes, and GEO mats to increase physical activity among students during lunch and after school;

 

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. Peru MS has recognized this by involving students and staff in the process and providing them with the tools needed to improve their environment.

 

Keys to Success

Getting staff involved and teachers motivated about school health was a key factor in the success at Peru Middle School. Having a Middle School Health Council in place and having completed the School Health Index needs assessment helped obtain grant money and encouraged others to become involved and share responsibility for the wellness programs implemented.
Future Plans

Peru Middle School plans to expand their enthusiasm about health and wellness to others in the district through development of a District Health Council, development of School Health Councils in the Elementary and High School, and completion of the School Health Index in the Elementary and High School. In the Middle School, they plan to focus on stress management and active learning across all content areas in the coming year.

 

Words of Wisdom: “You start seeing people in terms of who they are . . . rather than in terms of who they aren’t.” Chip Anderson

 

For more information about health and wellness at Peru Middle School, contact:

Diane Menard, Health Educator

Peru Middle School

17 School Street, PO Box 68

Peru, NY 12972

Phone: 518.643.6301

E-mail: dmenard@perucsd.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