Rochester city school district: institutionalizing school health

Rochester City School District
Rochester, New York
Monroe County (Central Western Zone)

220,000 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 Rochester City School District is one of nineteen that the HSLI has worked with since 2005.

The Rochester City School District has a comprehensive plan in place for the development of CSH teams and completing the Center for Disease Control’s School Health Index (SHI) in each of the 52 school buildings in the District (39 elementary and 13 secondary). Recognizing the need for data and evidence of the plans’ success, the district has put into place a database for collecting SHI results from each school and Body Mass Index (BMI) data from all students.

The District roadmap for Coordinated School Health began with a few “pilot” schools forming CSH teams and completing the SHI. Each CSH team aims to include at least one representative from each of the eight components of the CSH model – administration, health education, physical education, food services, health services, counseling, psychological, and social services, other faculty and staff, family, and community. The teams’ first task is to complete a self-assessment and planning tool (the SHI) to assist schools in improving their student, staff, and community health. After completion, these schools become “experts” and mentor other schools in the district on the process. Training of teams by district staff on coordinated school health, data driven action planning, and goal implementation is also a key component of the plan.

Since 2005, eighteen schools in the District have formed or are in the process of forming CSH teams and completing the SHI. As a result, these schools have made changes to the school health environment in their buildings. They have improved their vending and lunch offerings, and have incorporated more movement in their classes and buildings. Many of the schools have had health fairs for staff, students, and the community. Professional development has occurred in many different areas related to school health. Indicating the importance of student health, two of the schools have incorporated their SHI action plan into their school improvement plan.

Rochester City Schools took advantage of any incentives they could to help encourage buildings to form teams and complete the SHI. The District was able to secure a grant from a local foundation to assist in getting started with the training and mentoring in elementary schools in the district. A Carol M. White PEP Grant is helping institutionalize this model in the secondary buildings. District staff note that it was very important for schools to get incentives to complete this process. It doesn’t have to be a lot of money, but something to assist schools with implementing their action plan.
Importance of Impact

For a school district of its’ size, Rochester City Schools has made tremendous progress in achieving their goals. In fact, in June 2007, they were recognized as a Bronze Level Healthy STARS school, a program developed to recognize school districts that have research-based practices, policies, and procedures in place.

 

Keys to Success

On the district level, having a committed District Health Coordinator, supportive principals, and collaboration from community partners have helped with achieving success.

District staff recognize that patience and flexibility is key to successfully making changes with limited resistance in school buildings. They have learned that is it helpful for the CSH teams to complete small steps to build their confidence and experience a sense of accomplishment. Finally, having a building “Champion” is necessary to insure that the process continues in the buildings. A champion is a member of the CSH team, preferably not the principal, who believes in the success of the initiative and serves as the contact person for district staff.

 

Future Plans

Rochester City SD plans to continue with their "roadmap" by implementing Coordinated School Health district-wide. They will work to complete the School Health Index in all buildings in the district and implement action plans based on data. They will also work to foster collaboration among all parties, advocate for continued Board of Education support, and work to implement changes in Nutrition Services.

 

Words of Wisdom: "Plan on change, celebrate successes, and keep your eye on the prize (student and staff health)" Sandy Pawlak, Health Education Coordinator

 

For more information about health and wellness at Rochester City School District, contact:

Sandy Pawlak, Health Education Coordinator

Rochester City School District

131 West Broad Street

Rochester, NY 14614

Phone: 585.262.8249

E-Mail: sandra.pawlak@rcsdk12.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