Getting Involved in School Wellness

How are you doing with those New Year’s resolutions? It’s not uncommon to stick to them for a few weeks before old habits slip back in.



Making lasting changes in our personal health habits is hard! Healthy behaviors are easier to stick to when our environment supports them. For example, we’re less likely to snack on chips or candy when a vending machine isn’t right around the corner, right?



Schools are making an effort to create an environment that helps kids choose healthy foods and be more active. This is known as school wellness. All school districts have rules around what foods are available to students and how physical activity is integrated into the school day. This is known as a Wellness Policy. Wellness Policies may include rules about how much recess students should get, what types of foods can be served in the classroom, and how much time students have to eat lunch. But it’s up to each school to make sure they are following the policy.



If you’re interested in helping your child’s school create a healthier environment, find out if the school has a Wellness Team (sometimes called a Wellness Committee). These teams are in charge of making sure the school is following the Wellness Policy, and promoting health within the school. Parents can serve on these committees and be a powerful voice for change.



If your child’s school does not have a Wellness Team, you can still team up with other parents, teachers, or staff who are interested in student health. Work together to identify some ways your school can help kids make healthy choices. The Maryland School Wellness Scorecard is a helpful tool. Start with one simple change. Talk to the principal to get their support, and build on your successes.



That’s a New Year’s resolution worth sticking to!