Vision

Schools throughout New York State that are rich in leaders who are well informed, committed, and passionately engaged in creating a healthy school community for students to achieve academic excellence.

 

Concept

The New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, the NYS Department of Health - Healthy Heart Program, and the State Education Department selected twenty individuals to participate as Fellows in a five-year leadership development program through the New York State Healthy Schools Leadership Institute (HSLI). The HSLI is a five-year professional development program modeled after the National School Health Coordinator Leadership Institute*, a CDC funded project that was hosted by the American Cancer Society from 1999-2002. Using the American Cancer Society's Leadership Institute as a model, the Institute sessions focus on system change, including:

  • 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.

*In the March 2004 issue of the Journal of School Health, this program was described in detail and early indicators of success were presented 1.

Each Fellow selected for the institute will be expected to work with a district administrator who is involved in the following ways:

  • Attends the 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 Summer Institutes with the fellow (not to exceed four days).
  • Attends a two-day orientation session in 2005 and booster sessions in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 with the fellow.
  • Commits to establish a block of time within the school work-day for the fellow to coordinate health activities in the district.
  • Works with the fellow to improve coordinated school health in their district.

In addition to attending the leadership development sessions, the administrator and fellow will provide the expertise and leadership to facilitate the following:

  • Advocate for a coordinated approach to school health
    Make sustainable policy and environmental changes related to increased physical activity and better nutrition.
  • Develop and conduct a board presentation outlining the Healthy Schools Initiative.
  • Conduct the School Health Index for Physical Activity, Healthy Eating, and a Tobacco-Free Lifestyle assessment in each school in their district.
  • Develop an action plan based upon the School Health Index results.
  • Incorporate actions in their plan to include people with disabilities.
  • Revise their action plan each year to address the health needs in their district.
  • Provide annual updates describing the progress of action plan objectives related to addressing the concerns revealed by the School Health Index assessment.

 

The Benefits

The foremost benefit is participation in a high level leadership development program designed specifically for people working to create safe and health-promoting schools. The learning activities will be tailored to each candidate's unique professional development needs and goals with application in his/her district. The Institute will model and foster best leadership practices among all Fellows and their sponsoring school districts.

Through the use of a systems approach, districts who participate in this project will not only have improved the nutritional value of the foods being served and consumed, increased the opportunities for physical activity, and eliminated exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, but they will have developed a sustainable infrastructure so that future challenges related to maintaining a healthy school environment can be effectively addressed.

Sponsoring schools will benefit from the improved health of students and staff, and improved health programs that support student learning.

The Institute is provided free of charge to Institute Fellows and their administrative sponsors. School districts are expected to cover the cost of travel and release time for participation in scheduled Institute sessions.

 

The Institute

The Healthy Schools Leadership Institute offers a balanced combination of off-site week-long summer academies, two-day booster sessions, and school-based action planning and implementation described below:

SUMMER ACADEMIES: In the summer, participants attend four-day academies focusing on development of personal and public leadership skills, team development, and the development of a project plan for implementation.

BOOSTER SESSIONS: Mid year retreats are held in the winter of each project year. During these booster sessions, participants receive technical assistance, share progress, problem solve, and expand or adjust the focus of action plans at the school/community site.

ACTION PLANNING: Throughout the year, participants work with their District Health Council and Healthy School Teams on action plans designed to enhance their professional and personal leadership skills and improve coordinated school health programs in their school community.

 

Additional Information

For questions, please contact:

Stephanie Gray
Program Manager
NYS AHPERD
77 North Ann St.
Little Falls, NY 13365
e-mail: sgray@nysahperd.org