School Wellness Advisory Committee (SWAC) Annual Report to the Franklin School Committee May 26, 2015
Jul 23, 2015
School Wellness Advisory Committee (SWAC)
Annual Report to the Franklin School Committee
May 26, 2015
What is SWAC? • A standing committee appointed by the
Superintendent and has a requirement of representation from various groups
– School nurses, PE/Health staff, Teachers, Counselors, Administrators
– Parents/Community Members
– Students
– SC Representation
– Community Youth Serving Agencies
SWAC Membership 2014-15 Nancy Whitehouse, Nurse Leader
Chris Schmidt, FHS Assistant Principal
Paul Mahoney, Whitson’s Food Service Director
Kristen Cerce, Director of PE/Health; Michael Masto FHS PE/Health
Caroline Cafasso, Justin Bates; FHS Students
Corine Minkle, Oak Street Principal
Brian Wildeman, RMS Assistant Principal
Kyla Harrington, FHS Guidance Counselor
Frank Fitzgerald, RMS School Psychologist
Greg Lee, JFK School Psychologist
Pamela McIntyre, & Betsy Barry Community Member
Marykate Bergen, YMCA
Roberta Trahan, Franklin School Committee
Miriam Goodman, School Business Administrator
Sally Winslow, Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Role/Requirements
• Bring Local Wellness Policy (LWP) into compliance with federal & state requirements
• Meet at least four times per year
• Develop and implement annual improvement plan and SMART goals focusing on nutrition, physical activity and obesity based upon review of student health data and information about school programs and practices
• Annual report to Superintendent and School Committee regarding progress on the annual plan
It takes a village…
• LWP and SMART Goals Tied to DIP and SIP
• Engaged other individuals and groups in the work (e.g. psychologists, counselors, nurses, Health/PE teachers, related service providers)—multi-disciplinary approach
• Food Service, Health/PE, YMCA collaborated to write grants to support nutrition, physical activity and social-emotional well-being
SMART Goals 2014-15
Three Student-focused Goals:
• Mental Health—ID causes of stress and anxiety in school and develop coping strategies
• Physical Activity—goals at elementary, middle and HS level around increasing opportunities for physical activities for students
• Nutrition—Increase awareness of healthy eating habits and meal and snack choices
Mental Health Goal: Progress & Activities
• Psychologists, counselors, nurses, and administrators district-wide in working on this goal
• Developmental guidance model initiative—curricular/instructional approach to providing all children with instruction in social-emotional learning standards which are critical to academic achievement and college and career readiness
• Development of social-emotional learning curriculum—year two
Elementary Level • Zones of Regulation, Social Thinking
Curriculum, relaxation techniques • Self-regulation and coping strategies to stay in
class and reduce visits to nurse and counselors • Common vocabulary and strategies for
students and teachers • Students have demonstrated gains in following
transitions, self-advocacy and self-control • Slight decreases in nurses visits for somatic
symptoms (headaches, stomach, etc.)
Middle School Level
• Worked with 8th graders on HS preparation and college readiness, career exploration and social emotional learning
• All 8th graders completed a high school course plan
• Whole class instruction, advisory period & teacher consultation
• Teacher training & common language for students and staff
High School Level • Guidance Counselors have developed and
delivered 4 seminar classes to each grade, 9-12
• Adjustment Counselors each doing a section of “Therapeutic Academic Support” as well as some parent information & training
• Decrease in stress related to college application process and financial aid (student survey data)
• Decrease in nurse visits and unscheduled visits to the counseling office
Physical Activity Goal Progress and Activities
• BOKS programs at Oak, DT, JFK & Keller (new)
• Fit and Lit Exercise & Reading Program piloted in grade 3 at Oak—next year will be whole school in June!
• Recess mile running club offered at Oak with 20-30 students participating, 2x/week, spring/fall
• Walk to school day—Oak, Keller, Parmenter, DT
Physical Activity Goal continued…
• RMS—Fall Spartan Race, Turkey Trot, Intramurals & Next Level Conditioning Program for Athletes
• ASMS—Intramurals, Frisbee Club
• HMMS—Intramurals, Monday Sports Academy
• FHS—Ski Club increased from 150-200 students
• Ultimate Frisbee Club more than doubled to 74 students
Nutrition Goal Progress and Activities
• FHS won Bronze Level Healthy US Schools Challenge Award (Recognition & $500)
• Visiting Executive Chef at FHS
• RMS received $3,725 Fuel Up to Play Grant for implementation of Breakfast Program
– Average of 30 students/day in May
Nutrition Goal continued…
• Collaboration with YMCA
– Implementation of Nutrition Detectives Curriculum for all students in grade three
– Mass in Motion funding ($10,000) to promote breakfast and develop school gardens at ECDC, Oak, Jefferson, Parmenter, HMMS, RMS and FHS
Next Steps…
• Review data from School Climate Survey sent out again this year to parents through K-12 Insight
• Continue to review data regarding health, nutrition and social emotional for development of SMART goals for 2015-16
• Continued multi-disciplinary approach with counselors, psychologists, nurses, PE/Health, staff, administrators, YMCA and other groups
• Continue to keep abreast of any changes in state and federal laws that may impact wellness policy
Questions?