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.
Baker School District 5J
Baker School District Wellness Program
Wellness saved Anthony Johnson’s life. The curriculum director for Baker School District knew he had high blood pressure. But results from his on-site screening alarmed the OEA Choice Trust program manager who screened Johnson, then advised him to see the doctor. Johnson heeded the advice and, “after a regimen of medications,” Johnson’s blood pressure and cholesterol levels are now normal. He is not the only person who benefits from Baker School District’s wellness program, funded through a grant from OEA Choice Trust. The district tallies:
• A reduced rate of overweight and obesity
• Less hypertension and lower levels of bad cholesterol
• An 11 percent drop in substitute teacher costs because of fewer sick days
The program has changed conversations in Baker School District, said Barry Nemec, district director of special education and wellness coordinator. He credits a program that measures “body age” through screenings, including blood pressure, body mass index, and bicep strength. Employees ask each other, “Did you hear what my body age was?”Screened employees can take community supported classes, ranging from Zumba dancing to healthy cooking and yoga. “It has motivated people to make life-long changes in their diet and exercise,” Nemec says.
Griffin Creek Elementary – Medford School District
“2B Fit + 2B Strong = 4 Ever Healthy”
At Medford’s Griffin Creek Elementary School, a gym bag, workout video, bike helmet and low-fat salad compete for space with that apple on the teacher’s desk.
“We’re a pretty healthy staff to begin with,” says Ginny Hicks, Griffin Creek’s principal. But the 50-person staff got a wellness boost with an OEA Choice Trust Wellness Grant that helped the school integrate physical activity and nutrition into the daily activities—with overall results:
• 4 percent drop in collective body mass index • 11 percent drop in body fat • 22 percent increase in flexibility • 300-pound total weight loss
The key, says Hicks, is variety. Griffin Creek hosts staff health screenings through partner YMCA; after-school classes, including fitness, cooking, and yoga; health lectures; tasty and nutritious soup competitions; weight-loss challenges; and a library of employee-donated wellness books.
What sustains Griffin Creek’s culture of health, says Hicks, “is when you have personal success and when you’re surrounded by other people who are taking steps to improve.”
Central School District 13J
GET FIT
Central School District had a friendly bowling competition and over 36 staff members participated! The building sites competed against each other and Talmadge Middle School was victorious. What a great way to build camaraderie amongst staff and even more importantly what a great way to have FUN!
Griffin Creek Elementary – Medford School District
“2B Fit + 2B Strong = 4 Ever Healthy”
Oct. 14 – Dr. Alan Bates “Taking Responsibility for your Health”
Nov 8 – Dr. Williams “Dealing with Stress”
Dec. 13 – Dr. Matt Sheehan – “The Power of Massage”
Jan. 31 – Dr. Robin Miller – “Aging Well”
March 7 –Dr. Robin Miller
Griffin Creek has teamed up with their local YMCA to do “Lunch and Learn”. On professional development days when there are no students the staff orders a HEALTHY catered lunch from a local restaurant. The lunch usually consist of 2-3 salads, build your own sandwich or chicken of some kind. As the staff is eating lunch a guest doctor speaks for about 30 minutes on a variety of health topics from dealing with stress to aging well. The staff enjoys the catered lunch, but also values the important health information being presented.
Central Point School District 6
FIT RIGHT IN
Central Point School District is offering a variety of health informaton and classess. On January 22nd, 2011 Central Point SD hosted the Rogue Valley Health Fair. The fair had workshops, classes and vendors that provided a wealth of wellness knowledge. Every other Tuesday there are wellness workshops with Dr. Jim Said covering a variety health and wellness topics and coming soon will be a class by Victoria Boutenko about the “Green Smoothie Revolution”.
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 journey@oeachoice.com.
Kelly Cormier 
September 21, 2009J
My name is Kelly Cormier. I am a special education teacher at Griffin Creek Elementary School. During the 08’-09’ school year our school applied for and was awarded the OEA Wellness Grant. Through the grant I was able to take a better look at myself (both physically and mentally). I am married, work full time and have 3 boys ages 9, 11, and 17. My life was consumed with the chaos of life, sports, and being constantly on the go. What I found is I had let myself go within all of these things, making sure that everyone else was where they should be. Dinners became grab and go and my exercise became jumping into the car, driving or sitting in front of the TV. snacking. I had a reality check when the YMCA came in. My body fat and my weight were excessive and my numbers on the exercise activities were low. Throughout the school year, I was also going in to the doctor for blood pressure checks due to high blood pressure and discussing medication.
The grant provided us with 4 sessions with a personal trainer throughout the year and 2 months membership at the YMCA. I chose to take my membership during July and August (during my summer vacation). I met with my trainer shortly after the physical testing and knew I had to change my lifestyle. I have lost weight in the past but tend to gain it back in full force. My trainer gave an exercise regimen to do at home, until my membership in July became effective. We also discussed realistic goals and checked in with me, making me accountable. With the combination of working out at home and our weekly exercise class after school I lost 5 pounds. I also began watching what I ate and looking at labels. In July I met with my trainer again at the gym. She showed me how to use the machines and gave me a written workout regimen. During this time, my 9 and 11 year old began coming to gym with me and participating in Jr. Fitness while I worked out. They also took swim lessons for the first time and became great swimmers (better than me
During July and August, I lost 12 more pounds and I am now a member at the YMCA. To date I am about a half a pound away from losing 20 pounds and continue to work out 4-6 times a week. I feel much healthier and knock on wood have not been sick since June of last year. My doctor is extremely happy with my blood pressure as it is now where it should be for my age. I have made new discoveries in my closet, finding clothes that I have not been able to get into in quite some time. The Goodwill became richer as I donated my much larger clothes to them. I have learned taking care of myself is an inside job and I am responsible for my own actions. Each day I learn something new about myself and my capabilities. I may be a teacher but continue to be a student. Thank you for this opportunity to better myself and become a much healthier person. Only in this way am I able to teach my family a healthier way of life.
