Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Recommendations Page 2
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Wellness Council members, Wellness Facilitators, and district mental health
staff jointly offer the recommendations listed below. All are supported by the
annual report to follow. We firmly believe incorporating these
recommendations into the short and long-term strategies for the district will
promote healthy lifestyles and produce a positive learning environment for our
entire school community.
RECOMMENDATIONS
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realized through an increase in the number of school psychologists
assigned to each of our Elementary schools. Finally, the Council
believes consideration should be given to an increase in the mental
health staffing at North High School, particularly in the area of
school social work. A needs assessment considering school size,
student population, building needs and best practices will assist in
determining mental health staffing.
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Reviewed and recommended changes to the District Code of Conduct.
Assisted in the articulation of the 10th grade health module piloted this
spring and to be instituted during the 2006-2007 school year.
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monthly meetings with Dr. Cieri. The scope and breadth of the 2006-2007
wellness-based activities is impressive and can be found in Appendix A. It is
recognized that these activities, along with other school programs, address all of
the internal and external assets needed for healthy development (see Asset
Charts which follow on pages 9-11, 14-16, and 21-22).
The report to follow highlights both district-wide initiatives and building level
activities, and demonstrates the wellness programs contribution to asset
building.
HIGH SCHOOL
Dale Bauer, North
Maggie Mendrykowski, AIM
Evan Shussett, East
Cheryl Goldstone, South
Dave Gervase, South
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teachers prepared a proposal for consideration by the Curriculum Council to
incorporate these materials at the middle school level. Wellness facilitators were
charged with educating parents, as well as involving middle school and high
school students in the i-safe mentor program and other extracurricular cyber
safety activities. Ms. Katie Koestner, a nationally known speaker, presented a
district-wide parent program targeting internet safety on December 5, 2006. Ms.
Koestner also worked with middle school students, as well as District and
Building-level administrators. Finally, numerous evening parent programs, in-
services for faculty, and student presentations were organized. Many of these
were either offered by Wellness Facilitators or arranged by them. Ms. Patti
McLain, of The Center of Missing and Exploited Children, was a frequent
presenter and provided instruction on this topic to all sophomores as one of the
10th grade health modules.
A pilot focus group exercise was completed with seniors after the last survey
administration. This endeavor was found to be exceptionally informative,
allowing wellness facilitators to clarify and deepen our understanding of the data.
As a result, focus group discussions will be expanded to include 8th and 10th
grades during the next round, sometime in late fall or early winter.
The second session addressed Internet Safety. This seminar was also provided
during physical education time. Ms. Patti McLain of the Center for Missing and
Exploited Children provided an overview of issues such as: cyber danger, cyber
security, and cyber citizenship. Students responded favorably to Ms McLains
message, and positive reports regarding her presentation were uniformly
received.
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Two considerations were offered by those most directly involved with the health
modules: 1. Provision of instruction/modules - personnel involved suggested
that the district consider one of two options for future provision of instruction.
Specifically, these involved hiring a health teacher who would be assigned
district-wide responsibilities to present the seminars, or contracting with private
consultants, on a fee or gratis basis, to present the sophomore health modules.
2. Scheduling - while the seminars were felt to be exceptionally beneficial, it
was suggested that expanding the program by including additional modules
would result in significant loss of quality instructional time in physical education.
Wellness Website
The Wellness section of the district website continued to be expanded during the
2006-2007 school year. The purpose of the Wellness site is to provide the
school community with details regarding district Wellness initiatives, along with
strategies to promote asset development.
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Country Parkway:
The Wellness Committee at Country Parkway is, as always, focused on
developing the 40 Developmental Assets in our students. Throughout the year
we planned a variety of events both within the school day and after to foster
healthy lifestyles.
To continue our focus on the 31st asset, Child begins to value good health
habits, the Country Parkway second, third, and fourth graders participated in
the Fun 2 B Fit program offered through Univera Healthcare. As part of this
program, second graders held a food festival in which teachers and parent
volunteers prepared a variety of health foods for students to try. The students
were able to take recipe cards of their favorite foods home. The third grade
students learned about incorporating exercise into their daily lives, as well as
learning the importance of healthy eating and portion control. As for fourth
grade, students traveled to Wegmans for a tour and scavenger hunt of health
foods.
Dodge:
In addition to continuing Dodges previous school wide Wellness initiatives, we
have expanded our commitment to 40 Developmental Assets by implementing
the following programs:
Our intention with these efforts is to provide a positive venue for every member of
our community within which to increase academic achievement and facilitate
character development.
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Forest:
This school year at Forest Elementary was a year of new endeavors. While we
continued to teach the No Put Downs Program, we incorporated many new
activities into the school year as well. We created a school cookbook and
donated the proceeds of the sales to our playground committee and to the
Variety Club. We also sponsored a family movie night where families cam to
school in their pajamas and watched a movie in our school gym. The families
brought sleeping bags, pillows and blankets and had a great time snuggling
together! Another new endeavor was our Parents Night Out where parents
were able to drop off their children at school in the evening so that they could go
to dinner or a movie. The children participated in many fun stations while their
parents were away so everyone seemed to enjoy the night!
Each year brings new and fresh ideas to the Forest Wellness Committee so we
are eager to start thinking about next year!
Heim:
Heim Elementary School expanded our participation in the Univera Healthcare
Fun 2 B Fit program this year. The program includes taste testing for the 2nd
graders, nutrition and fitness program for the 3rd graders. We hope to include the
4th grade component next year. The program is designed to reduce childhood
obesity by teaching students about the importance of increased physical activity
and making healthy food choices. In conjunctions with this program we
implemented The TV Turn Off Week in which we encouraged students and
families to turn off the TV, computer, and their video games. Each family was
asked to complete a pledge to participate and share alternative fun activities they
engaged in during the week with their families.
Maple East:
Maple East piloted the Life Skills Program with 3rd and 4th grade students this
school year. This program promotes health and personal development by
focusing upon self-esteem, decision-making, tobacco information, stress
management and communication skills. This program was taught by the school
social worker during students lunch period. Some of the activities the students
were exposed to during the course involved completing a Life Skills Training
Guide, role-playing real life situations to practice refusal skills, and completing a
Life Skills training dictionary.
Maple West:
At Maple West Elementary School, our wellness plan was focused upon building
the 40 Developmental Assets through numerous initiatives during the year.
Specifically, Maple West fully implemented the No Put Downs Program in grades
K-4. This is a comprehensive research-based program, which targets conflict
resolution, self-esteem, and anti-bullying strategies. Daily student
announcements have focused upon the five (5) No Put Downs strategies of:
Think About Why, Stay Cool, Shield Myself, Choose a Response, and Build Up.
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In our school-wide family reunion assembly, each grade level performed skits or
songs that highlighted these five character-building skills. Through the
implementation of the No Put Downs Program, the faculty and staff at Maple
West has been able to promote: Asset #26 - The child cares about others; Asset
#30 The child accepts responsibility; Asset #36 - The child attempts to solve
problems in an appropriate manner; Asset #38 The child develops self-esteem.
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External Assets and Supporting Activities
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External Assets Asset Name Supporting Activities
11. Family boundaries Code of character
12. School boundaries Asset building parent evening
Boundaries
and 13. Neighborhood School pledge
Expectations boundaries Internet Safety
14. Adult role models School contracts
15. Positive peer influence Peer club
16. High expectations
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Internal Assets and Supporting Activities
ACES/Sunrise Exercises
Canned good drives (Food Bank, etc.)
Support for the military
Adopt-a-Family Clothing Drive
Children Giving to Children
Disability Awareness
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Internal Assets Asset Name Supporting Activities
37. Personal Power Apple a Day Program
Positive
Identity 38. Self Esteem Special Friends
40. Positive View of Banana Splits
Personal Future
Character education assemblies/displays
Our annual Community Day will be held on June 2, 2007. The day will include
a variety of events including a Fun Run, a Car Wash, a Pet Wash, an Art Show,
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carnival games and Transits Got Talent competition. All proceeds will be
donated to a Community Center in the city of Buffalo.
We also focus on asset building throughout the school year in a number of ways.
This year, the Wellness Team has worked in cooperation with the Heim Middle
Shared Decision Making team to promote positive messages to the student body
using the V-Brick system and the morning announcements. Every Tuesday from
January through May, a 3-5 minute video announcement was made on a
Wellness or asset-related topic. These were student generated and produced,
and they have had a positive impact on the school environment.
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External Assets and Supporting Activities
Boundaries
14. Adult role models Study Skills Programs
and 15. Positive peer Presidents Award/Breakfast
Expectations influence
16. High Expectations Homework Club
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External Assets Asset Name Supporting Activities
17. Creative activities Red Ribbon Week
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Internal Assets Asset Name Supporting Activities
Social 32.Planning and Advisor/Advisee
Competencies Decision-Making
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HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS
2.) The second annual Wellness Fair was held. This event featured
numerous exhibitors focused upon healthy lifestyles for the physical,
psychological and emotional health of adolescents.
4.) Peer Educators students presently enrolled in 11th grade were trained to
lead class discussions with 8th grade students at Transit Middle School. A
myriad of topics, designed to facilitate the transition from middle school to
high school, are addressed.
6.) Stress Free Day a wide range of fun activities and educational
information is offered to students to facilitate the development of ways to
cope with stress. This event was a Challenge Team activity.
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7.) New Student Welcome Program various activities focused on
welcoming and integrating students who are new to WEHS were designed
and implemented. This also represents an initiative promoted by the
Challenge Team.
The highlight this year was the development and implementation of a very
successful Wellness fair. Approximately twenty-five community organizations,
businesses, and agencies provided students with information regarding choosing
healthy lifestyles, foods, and fitness. In addition, school nutrition personnel
continued to explore and offer a variety of healthier eating choices and the PTSA
School Store converted completely to healthier snack and drink options. The
South b-healthy student group helped plan and organize a Taste of South
Cookbook, which will be completed and ready for sale and distribution this fall.
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AIM Program
In keeping with the district wellness focus for 2006-2007, we began the year with
internet safety presentations for parents and students utilizing i-safe educational
materials. Periodic reminders to students about cyber safety and citizenship
have provided follow-up to the September program.
Developing and maintaining healthy relationships has been another focus of the
AIM wellness program. A fall scavenger hunt at the Amherst Museum allowed
teams of new and returning AIM students to get acquainted (and learn some
local history). The first annual AIM Day of Caring enabled small groups of
students working at four sites time to get to know each other while providing a
service to others. Other AIM traditions were also continued, such as daily
homeroom, Friday breakfasts, small group discussions and field trips help
students develop a positive social network. In the spring, AIM girls and boys
worked separately with Tony Williams, a local presenter and Director of the NW
Buffalo Community Center, on issues of healthy boy/girl relationships. We will
continue to discuss dating and healthy relationships in small groups. Mr.
Williams will return for a wrap-up session prior to the administration of June
exams.
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External Assets Asset Name Supporting Activities
Boundaries And 11. Family boundaries Sexual harassment education Newsletter
Expectations articles
12. School boundaries Safety messages to parents re: proms, post
H.S. life
13. Neighborhood boundaries Promoted Safehomes
14. Adult role models Staff In-services
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Internal Assets Asset Name Supporting Activities
Social 32. Planning and Decision- Cultural awareness assembly
Competencies Making
33. Interpersonal Student representation on wellness council
Competence and committees
34. Cultural Competence Stress Free Day
35. Resistance Skills Senior Seminars
36. Peaceful Conflict Freshman program on asset building
Resolution
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APPENDIX
Please Note: Unless otherwise indicated, all six elementary schools participated
in the programs listed.
Conflict Resolution
- No Putdowns Program *
- IDEAS Grades K-4
- Social Skills Groups
- Friendship Groups
- Special Friends
- Talking with TJ (CP, ME)
- Cooperative Play Group
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Disability Awareness
- Classroom lessons/grade level programs*
Drug Awareness
- Apple a Day (ME, MW, D) *
- Red Ribbon Week Activities
- 2 Smart 2 Start (ME, CP, D)
- Persuasive letters to seniors*
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- Special Friends
- Tim Hortons Camp (D,F)*
Resource Library:
- On-going expansion of library for students, parents, and staff consisting of
books, videos, charts, games and computer programs
Study Skills:
- Agenda mates, assignment sheets
- Study Skills Lessons/Groups
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Comprehensive List of Middle School Wellness Activities
Appendix:
Please Note: Unless otherwise indicated, all four middle schools participated in
the programs listed
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Comprehensive List of High School Wellness Programs
Please Note: Unless otherwise indicated, all high schools participated in the
programs listed.
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- Fund raising activities for Katrina victims, Haven House, Hospice,
Compass House, Renaissance House, Cornerstone Manor
- Canned Food Drive
- Stress free day (E)
- Wellness Fair
- Healthy Lifestyle Building Initiative (S)
- Project Appreciation thank you grams to veterans (N)
- Internet safety parent program (AIM)
- School violence prevention program Rachels Club (S)
- Invisible children assembly (S)
- Internet safety student program
- Sabres night (N)
- NCCC career day (AIM)
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WELLNESS COUNCIL
REPORT
2006 - 2007
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