School Health

Addison Rutland Supervisory Union Schools each have representatives in their respective schools to choose wellness initiatives funded with local monies.  As an example, Orwell Village School supports afterschool “Healthy Living Clubs.”  Activities include a cooking club and gardening club for students K-8.  Addison Rutland Supervisory Union also recently formed a District Wellness Team in the spring of 2018 comprised of a strong cross section of representation, including supervisory union leadership, nursing, health, counseling, cafeteria and parent representation.  A rich discussion focused upon aspects of health and plans to strengthen community connections that support student health.  

The Mill River Unified Union School District Coordinated School Health Team is a diverse team of school district leadership, nurses, health educators, physical education teachers and counselors.  The team is piloting an initiative spearheaded by two of their physical education teachers, the “Grade 6 Leadership Transition Program.”  They note this period to be “a time when sixth graders leave the safety of elementary school and enter middle school.”  Coming from four very small schools to a larger school where they may not know many other students can create a sense of anxiety. The program has team building activities at camping trips, barbeques and other joint activities. The goals of this initiative are to “increase a student’s independence, boost their self-esteem and create positive connections with each other and the middle school staff before this time of transition.”

Proctor Junior Senior High School supports the mental health of their students through strong community collaboration and student initiative.  Students on their UMatter team created a mental health fair in the Proctor High School gym oin the spring of 2018. Many area agencies worked with the students to show different ways to seek or maintain good mental health. Students had a week of information, an assembly, and the opportunity to speak with representatives from several local organizations. Some parents and community members attended, as did every Proctor High School students and all staff.
   

Rutland High School Coordinated School Health Team hosts a health fair every June during its “Yes Plan.”  In the spring of 2018 Rutland High School invited numerous agencies and organizations to provide information on topics such as nutrition, physical activity, safety, dental heath, tickborne illness awareness, and drug and alcohol prevention.  There were even demonstrations by the Vermont State Police and their K9 Team.  Participants must visit and engage at each activity table/set to be eligible for prizes. The afternoon was topped off by drawings for local prizes provided by local organizations and businesses. 

Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union designates wellness funds for initiatives at each of its schools. Initiatives include focus on exposure to lifetime sports, which several schools provide. In the 2017-18 school year, Sudbury Country School and Whiting Village School each held snowshoe and cross-country skiing events. Leicester Central School held a school-wide yoga event and Lothrop School utilized wellness funds towards a Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports Celebration Field Day.  Barstow Memorial School choose to dedicate their wellness funds towards providing Tooth Tutor Support, while Otter Valley Union High School held a “Community Service Day” and students donned Otter Valley Union Hight School t-shirts.