Welcome to Coordinated School health programs

The Wellness Team in SAD 29 is very much a unit and works that way on every activity in which they are involved. This team does it all – starting with a welcoming event for all new staff at the beginning of each school year, to preparing the Harvest Supper, sending holiday cards to past and retired staff, and motivating the district to get moving in the middle of winter in Aroostook County through their Mid-Winter Motivator Wellness Activity Program. The wellness team organizes the Call-In Well Day, massages and health screenings for staff and provides activities such as kick-boxing and yoga.

With the support of administration, and truly amazing staff and community involvement, the SAD 29 wellness team is easily able to promote a positive school climate. Superintendent Steve Fitzpatrick states that this effective program, which deals with the health of mind, spirit and body, provides enthusiasm and high energy levels in the district and is a line item in the school budget.

Students are actively engaged in wellness activities such as Healthy Snack Day, Math Bowling, selecting healthy foods for the school lunch program and Walking Wednesdays. At Houlton High School, students participated in a study of healthy snack choices in vending machines for a national supplier. The SAD 29 wellness team supports the health education program for students in all grades and helps organize the health fair.

The team involves all staff in all activities. By providing everyone with healthy diet choices, alternative exercise regimes, and a good dose of humor they help to make SAD 29 an amazing place. Community support is a major advantage. Through donations of merchandise and time, the community has allowed students and staff to get fit and relaxed.

For everything that SAD 29 does to promote health and wellness for its staff and students, we present this exemplary award to them.

Lynn Brown is SAD 29’s School Health Coordinator. With her assistance the bond between the Health Team and the Wellness Team has never been stronger and the team has accomplished more than it ever could alone. Holding the wealth of information that she does, Lynn has been involved in many of the new and exciting offerings for health education. She co-wrote the grant that supplied Southside School with funding to promote sun safety and was a key player in introducing bottled water in the elementary schools. Lynn’s assistance and knowledge has been an influential force for SAD 29’s Wellness Team.

Tess Buswell is a principal and kindergarten teacher at Wellington School. She is a ball of energy and an inspiration for wellness in SAD 29. Through grants and community donations, she created the Ski Club, a cross country ski experience for her Pre-K to 4 students that has over 90% participation. When the snow melts, the Walking Club takes over. Tess has been a part of the Wellness Team from the beginning. Recently she has taken on the role of secretary for the Wellness Team. She is a constant reminder of where the team has been and where it is going.

Trish is the enthusiastic team leader of SAD 29’s Wellness Team. Trish has innovative and wonderful ideas for staff workshops days. She recruits the speakers and facilitates many of wellness activities. She initiated the Mid –Winter Motivator, a program that includes staff and students to beat the mid- winter blahs by exercising, followed by an exciting awards ceremony. Trish makes sure everyone is included in the variety of wellness activities. Trish is positive, competent and persistent and ensures that wellness flourishes in SAD 29.

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© 2000 Coordinated School Health Programs