Dupage Policy Journal

Glenbard Township High School District 87 issued the following announcement on June 26.

We promote student and staff wellness, including good nutrition, physical activity and mindfulness, in our educational programs, school activities, and meal programs. As determined by Section 204 of the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, our Wellness Committee promotes and supports the health and wellness of students, staff and families by providing opportunities for education about and access to: physical activities, nutrition principles, food and beverages at school that meet the USDA child nutrition program standards for fat, sugar and salt, and providing resources that support emotional wellness.

Our Wellness Committee meets monthly during the school year with meetings rotating among our four schools. The committee is comprised of students, parents, school support staff, PE/health teachers, family and consumer science teachers, school administrators, school nurses, school psychologists, community partners, Sodexo management., a representative from our insurance carrier (Blue Cross/Blue Shield) and central office administrators. Membership is fluid and new members are welcome.

The goals of our Wellness Policy and Wellness Committee align with state and federal standards. Goals are in place for nutrition education, physical activity, and social-emotional well-being. They also address national guidelines for foods available in school during the school day and guidelines for reimbursable school meals.

The physical education, health, and family and consumer sciences curriculum strives to teach students the benefits of wellness and importance of developing good habits regarding fitness and nutrition. Problem solving, decision making, communication and teamwork are lifelong skills that are incorporated into daily activities in these programs.

Student and Staff Initiatives:  Non-curricular programs that promote the goals noted above include:

• Wellness Tip of The Week – Weekly health tips are shared with students and staff at Glenbard North, Glenbard South and Glenbard West
• Color Run-September 2017 at Glenbard South
• Live Life Well Week- In February, the Students for Students clubs, PBIS committees and Wellness Teams at each school organize special awareness events aimed at helping students make healthy choices and eliminate at-risk behaviors.
• All School Healthy Breakfast- During Live Life Well Week (Glenbard South & Glenbard West)
• Blood drive at Glenbard South during Live Life Well Week
• “Murph” Workout Challenge Fund-raiser – November 2017
• Nutrition Education by Registered Dietitian in Fitness and Nutrition and AP Environmental Science classes at all four schools
• Adventure Capital award for Stand Up Desk Initiative at Glenbard South
• Nutrition tips and healthy recipes included in the principals’ newsletters
• In its 5th year, Glenbard West’s Yoga Club paired up with Mindfulness (with students and Guidance Office) committee this school year, offering monthly opportunities to release stress during the school day. 
• Registered dietitian speaking to Nutrition & Fitness classes about MyPlate prior to the Healthy Cooking Challenge competition (Glenbard South & Glenbard West)
• Service projects such as Gratitude Day, Valentines for Vets, Project Linus and the President’s Day of service were implemented in each school.
• Link Crew programs continue at Glenbard South to promote a positive start for our freshmen, with upperclassmen as mentors.
• Before-school fitness activities, such as yoga (Glenbard West) are available.
• Mindfulness practices regularly incorporated into PE classes at Glenbard North
• FCCLA Run4Red 5K at Glenbard North
• Ping pong challenge at Glenbard North
• Tower Garden-Transition students selling herbs to the staff at Glenbard North & Glenbard South
• Transition students made healthy snacks and distributed to staff at Glenbard South
• Glo-run at Glenbard East
• Winter fest school dance-a-thon at Glenbard East
• Fitness fair at Glenbard East
• Body mass index data collected from freshman physicals for FORWARD.
• Healthy Cooking Challenge in Nutrition & Fitness Classes

The Glenbard Parent Series presents distinguished speakers to parents and professionals to enhance our students’ mental (social and emotional) and physical health at venues in Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, and Lombard.  In 2017-18, GPS organized almost 50 events. Check out recent and upcoming GPS programs. 

Community Partners- Community members and partners help further the overall goals of our Wellness Committee. Partners include:

• 2XL Powerlifting, Lombard
• Carol Stream Park District
• Cross Fit Carol Stream, Cross Fit Alpha Dog, Cross Fit Turbine
• Rise Fitness
• FORWARD, DuPage County Health Department/Regional Office of Education
• Good Samaritan Hospital
• Health Track, Glen Ellyn
• Healthy Lombard
• R. Ryall YMCA, Glen Ellyn
• Life Time Fitness, Carol Stream
• Tri-Town YMCA, Lombard
• The Jack H. Marston Melanoma Fund

Students and staff are informed of our partners’ special programs through Schoology and email.

Committee Tools Used for Evaluation of the Wellness Program
FORWARD

• Body mass index data was collected for FORWARD from incoming freshman physicals. FORWARD will use this information to gauge the trend of student obesity throughout DuPage County.

Original source can be found here.