This past school year, Maple Dale Wellness Chair- Diane
VanderBrink, assessed our school’s current status and created a customized action
plan to work towards Alliance for a Healthier Generation's Healthy Schools
Bronze Award. The Alliance, founded by
the Clinton Foundation, creates and sustains a healthy environment with a
proven, positive impact on students’ health and academics.
Are you aware that the state of Ohio does not have any
health education standards? The Alliance
does require health education in grades preschool- 4th grade. Sycamore
was lacking. District Assistant Director of Academic Affairs, Ann Marie Reinke,
created a health curriculum for each grade. Teachers have begun implementing.
Since budget cuts back in 1998 our district’s Staff Wellness
Coordinator position was eliminated. To help promote Wellness among staff the 4
elementary schools held a month long Intra- and Inter- school pedometer
challenge, March Fo(u)rth. Local businesses: Kroger, Pipkins, Venus, Chipotle, Balanced
Café, Yoga Alive donated incentives. Unfortunately Maple Dale did not win.
Principle, Mr. Brooks had to speak on the announcements at the winning school-
Montgomery Elementary. The Maple Dale staff member with the most miles walked
was Dan Penny of Maintenance. He won a variety of prizes donated by our
community businesses including Fleet Feet and a food basket from Trader Joes. He
stated, “I never knew healthy food could taste so good!” Dan Penny has since
lost 15 pounds!
Maple Dale incorporated these 2 programs along with
demonstrating implementation of specific best practices of the School Health
Index’s 6 modules (School Health and Safety Policies and Environment, Health
Education, Physical Education and Other Physical Activity Programs, Nutrition
Services, Health Promotion for Staff, Family & Community Involvement). In
April 2014 Maple Dale applied and achieved the distinction of a Healthy Schools
Bronze Award winner. All the Sycamore schools were recognized at the Alliance’s
Leadership Summit in Washington, DC.
Diane VanderBrink and 6 other Sycamore Wellness Leaders attended. Only 250
schools were recognized for their accomplishments this year in achieving these
National awards. Highlight of the event was the speaker at the Welcome Ceremony,
former President Bill Clinton.
Sycamore was the only district with Parent Leaders. All the
other schools had Administration/ Staff Leaders. Our district has strong parent
involvement but we also need staff support as a liaison.
What’s next for Maple Dale? We are going for GOLD! We can’t
do it alone. We need more staff and parent support. Consider helping make an
impact in our children’s lives and work towards a Healthier Generation. Contact Wellness Committee Chair click to email Diane
