Spotlight on Solutions: Nutrition and Physical Activity EDUCATION

1. Spotlight on Solutions:Nutrition and Physical ActivityEDUCATION Michelle Burke RN, MS, CHES School Nurse-Teacher/ Coordinator of School Health Programs Hudson Falls Central School District

2. Hudson Falls Central School District • Total student population – 2,400 students • Five instructional buildings • 420 District employees • 35 % free and reduced lunch rates • 27.1% residents living in poverty • District population 11,000 residents

3. Looking at a Systems Approach • High percentage of “at-risk students” • Faculty and staff many times working in isolation • Concerned about test score results • Common denominator for struggling students – unhealthy in terms of mental, physical, or emotional health

4. Selling Points for Schools • Show links between health and improved academics • Must get on the Board of Education’s agenda • Know the “formal” and “in-formal” power structure • Have a key figure to help “champion” the cause • Be prepared with Supportive Data

6. Goals for Year 1 • Establish Broad Based support for CSH initiative • Establish a District-wide School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) • Complete a Baseline Assessment of our policies/procedures using the CDC’s School Health Index Survey Tool

7. Essential Support • Top Administration - Superintendent • Board of Education – Key • School Physician Endorsement • District-wide School Health Coordinator • Building Level Administration and a Building “Champion” • Community/resources • Parents/students • School Nutrition Services

8. Broad Based Support • Administrative Support • District-wide School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) • Building Level Healthy School Teams (HST) • District-wide Employee Health and Wellness Team

9. School Health Advisory Council • Membership includes school district staff, students, parents, physician/dentists and community agencies. • Responsibilities include developing a shared vision for the health of children and their families. • Developing District Level goals for improving student health based on School Health Index Survey. • Make policy recommendations to the Board of Education.

10. Healthy School Teams • Serve as liaisons for the SHAC. • Assess student, family, and staff needs using the School Health Index. • Map existing school and community resources that could contribute towards a coordinated program. • Develop and implement a Building Level Action Plan tying in with SHAC goals.

11. SHAC VISION • In the next 5 years, the HFCSD will work with staff, students, families and the community to empower them to become healthier individuals who are better learners and higher achievers through a coordinated system that addresses all 8 CSH components.

12. SHAC GOAL FOR YEAR 2 To develop a comprehensive nutrition policy aimed at promoting lifelong healthy eating among students, staff and community.

13. HEALTHY SCHOOL TEAMS • Primary Building (K- gr.3) – looking at increasing breakfast rates • Intermediate Building (Gr.4/5) – Healthy options • Middle School – After school healthy options, milk machine, increased options • High School – Cafeteria renovations, labeling, increased healthy options

14. EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND WELLNESS TEAM • Representation from all building and department areas. • Collaborated with Worksite Wellness Network on a variety of initiatives. • Network with insurance carrier, Employee Assistance Program • Have made many environmental changes

15. Our Organizational Structure

16. Keys to our success: • Long term commitment with administrative support • Set short and long term goals • Keep the motivation going • Look at changing the culture

17. Keys to our success (cont.) • Must keep showing the links between health and academic success • Obtain Letters of Support • Seek out Grant Opportunities • Tap into existing resources and work together for a common goal • Key leaders and staff involvement

18. Policy Changes • Board endorsed CSH initiative • Established Coordinator of School Health Program position • Established a position of Community Outreach School Nurse • Comprehensive Nutrition Policy • Supportive of Environmental Changes

19. Our CSHP Website • Through funding from the Worksite Wellness Network, we were able to develop our CSHP and an Employee Wellness web-page • Sean Connolly, webmaster and HFCSD Junior, created the web-page with information we provided him. • It can be viewed at: www.hfcsd.org/cshp

20. Things to Remember • It’s a long term process • Systems approach • Coordinate services already in place • Healthy students make better learners • Do not attack the School Lunch Program • Acknowledge people for their contributions and support • It’s a Team Approach

21. Ralph Waldo Emerson “ Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm”

22. For additional information Please Contact Us: Hudson Falls Central School District P.O. Box 710 Hudson Falls, New York 12839 (518) 747-2121 Michelle Burke, School Nurse-Teacher/Coordinator of School Health Programs – mburke@hfcsd.org Mark Doody, Superintendent – mdoody@hfcsd.org