Wellness Success Stories!
Help others learn what’s working:
Congratulations to those school districts who have already implemented a Wellness Program. You are making a difference in the lives of staff in your school. Any activity you have implemented in an effort to increase physical activity and encourage healthy eating and healthy living behaviors is considered a success! Check out what some school districts have put into action.
Santiam Canyon
“S.W.E.A.T. – Santiam Wellness Exercise Activities and Training Program”
Santiam Canyon reports they purchased and installed exercise equipment and monitoring devices (scales and blood pressure cuffs). Participants were tested for blood work, weight and blood pressure. Activity information was collected monthly and in addition, “healthy living tips” periodicals were distributed to each staff room.
Staff who worked out at least 3 times a week were eligible to take place in a drawing for a bathroom scale. There were over 25 entries and the scales were awarded on the last day of school.
Work was also started this summer on a permanent walking trail for school staff.
Griffin Creek
“2B Fit + 2B Strong = 4 Ever Healthy”
Griffin Creek reports they have accomplished a lot in a short amount of time. Here’s an update on their
wellness program:
- Completed 5 sessions of ZUMBA, aerobic exercise routine inspired by Latin dance.
- Started Boot Camp, a workout program for weight loss, strength and endurance that will run through the end of the year.
- Thirty-one employees participated in “Wellness 2000” blood profile work ups. The results of the comprehensive blood profiles informed staff the potential for developing certain health problems. Here are the results:
© 4 staff are at high risk for heart disease and stroke from high blood pressure;
© 6 staff are at high risk for heart disease and stroke from high cholesterol,
© 11 staff are at high risk for diabetes from elevated glucose,
© 3 staff are at severe risk for diabetes from elevated glucose.
Thirty-three staff member participated in a series of physical fitness testing, including strength, endurance, flexibility, electrical impedance, circumference measurements and skin fold caliper testing. Participating employees have received confidential printouts with recommendations for improvement. Staff members are also scheduling the first of four personal training sessions with an experienced coach to design an exercise and diet program for staff. The group also purchased a new set of digital scales and a blood pressure cuff. They also had a “Nutritious and Delicious” pot luck and have a growing library of health and nutrition books available for staff to check out.
One staff member said, “Informally, I have observed more conversation in the staff room regarding health and nutrition. Teachers of a similar age and weight are paring up together to walk and attend classes at the YMCA. Support and camaraderie is evident among staff and welcomed at this stressful time of year.”
“Thank you again for giving us the opportunity to participate in this life changing, purposeful activity.”
Cascade
“Let’s Start It Again”:
Cascade began their program with screening tests that included blood pressure, lipid panels, glucose and BMI testing.
One of the staff said, “I have had two employees thank me for having the testing because they said it may have saved their lives.” They had no idea they had a severe health issue.
Other projects Cascade has undertaken are:
- Walking clubs were launched at three schools
- Kayaking
- Aqua-jogging (25 slots were filled 45 minutes after the enrollment email was sent )
- Golf 101
- Tennis 101
- Line dancing lessons
- Two Ultimate Frisbee Games
- Badminton Tournament
Share Your School Wellness Success Story!
Please share information on your successful wellness program that your school implemented. There is no limit to the number of success stories that your school can submit.
The information you provide will allow us to recognize and share your efforts to create a healthy school environment for staff and students.
Photographs and other supporting documentation are welcomed and encouraged.
Please state the project title and list what the goals were along with a brief description of the project. What challenges were faced? How did you overcome these challenges? How did you measure project progress|success? What were the evaluation results?
We’re Waiting To Hear From You
Please email your success stories, photos and documentation to admin@oeachoice.com.
