BRSD wins wellness awa

1. UNDER 5,000 ENROLLMENT
Choosing Wellness
Blue Ridge School District, New Milford, Pa.
PROGRAM NAME
Blue Ridge Wellness Committee
DISTRICT DILEMMA
The Blue Ridge School District is a
small rural system in northeast
Pennsylvania. Economic issues and
natural disasters have prevented
many families from being able to
focus on their health. The district
stepped in, knowing that the health
of children and families indirectly
and directly influenced student
SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT
achievement. After reading a study Laurie Bonner
published in the International Journal The Blue Ridge School District’s Wellness Committee has spurred the entire
of Obesity, board member Priscinda school community to think about making healthy choices. SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS
Gaughan brought this critical issue to
the attention of her board colleagues. Christina Cosmello
The study caught her attention with THE BOARD’S INVOLVEMENT Harold Empett
an assertion that the current generation may Priscinda Gaughan
be the first not to outlive its parents. The The committee was initially run as a separate Cindy Gillespie
board and the administration created a unit by the health office. When the school John Ketchur
board-directed Wellness Committee, a mul- board chose to reform it as a board-run com- Lavone Lewis
tidisciplinary group that consists of a board mittee, it became a more cohesive unit. Shane Rumage
member, a general education teacher, a spe- Board leadership also brought various key Christina Whitney
cial education teacher, administrators, mem- community people together to provide a Allen Hall,
bers of the health office, the director of food broader perspective to the committee. These former board president
services, and physical education teachers. changes have allowed the committee to Joel Whitehead,
This mix of district leaders and staff has en- know, understand, and answer the needs of former board member
sured that all students, families, and staff are district students, families, and staff members.
targeted. The board also plays an intricate part by cre- SUPERINTENDENT
ating policies that enforce healthy choices.
SOLUTION Robert McTiernan
RESULTS
This program first brought the district to-
gether with a unified goal: the health of the The Wellness Committee is a huge success
community. During regular monthly meet- for the district—all without any additional
ings, members discuss new and innovative expense. Staff members continue to choose
ways to provide health education to students, healthy snacks for themselves and their class-
families, and staff. The committee used the rooms. When parents provide snacks for
district website to provide the community classrooms, they bring in healthy options,
with ideas to make healthy changes in the even to celebrate their child’s birthday. Be-
classroom and at home. Initially, there was havioral issues have decreased and academic
pushback by the community, but with more performance has increased—which the dis-
information, people began to understand the trict credits to the program. The committee
importance of this issue. Soda machines re- is supported by a strong food service team,
mained on during school hours, but they which makes sure students and staff have
were filled with more nutritious options. healthy choices in the cafeteria.
Then the committee asked school staff to
help by eating and drinking healthier snacks, FOR MORE INFORMATION
especially in front of students. They also
were charged with coming up with different Contact Nicole Farrell, technology integra-
ways to reward students besides giving them tor, at niccel21@hotmail.com. The district’s
candy. website is at www.brsd.org.
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