Overview
Schools are not only places of learning, but they are also worksites. Fostering school employees’ physical and mental health protects school staff, and by doing so, helps to support students’ health and academic success. Healthy school employees—including teachers, administrators, bus drivers, cafeteria and custodial staff, and contractors—are more productive and less likely to be absent. They serve as powerful role models for students and may increase their attention to students’ health. Schools can create work environments that support healthy eating, adopt active lifestyles, be tobacco free, manage stress, and avoid injury and exposure to hazards (e.g., mold, asbestos). By having comprehensive school employee wellness approach, these programs, policies and environmental supports designed to address multiple risk factors and health conditions meet the health and safety needs of all employees.
CSH Team Facilitator – Health Promotions for Staff
- Jody Monroe, jmonroe@bethlehemschools.org, Superintendent
- Amy Baluch, abaluch@bethlehemschools.org, Human Resource Director
- Jennifer Denis, jdenis@bethlehemschools.org, School Nurse Coordinator
Vision
We would like to provide all staff with opportunities that will improve their quality of life and improve how they feel about coming to work so that they can serve as role models for our students.
Current Strategies and Actions
- Partner with insurance carriers in providing health and wellness programs, resources and information to District employees.
- Maintain Don’t Gain: An individual challenge to encourage staff to maintain their weight with helpful ideas during the busy holiday season. To run the Monday after Thanksgiving through December. (details to follow)
- Healthy Messages: Weekly messages to encourage staff on nutrition, physical activity; and, positivity.
- Biggest Loser Weight Loss Challenge: A team based challenge after the holiday break to run for 6 weeks