Garrett County Public Schools Embrace Wellness

In partnership with the Garrett County Health Department (GCHD), all Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) have formed wellness teams which are planning and implementing activities that benefit students, their families, and the school staff.

Through a grant from the Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control at the Maryland Department of Health, all schools received a mini-grant to support health and wellness activities at their schools.  To support these activities, the School Health Coordinator from the Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Control facilitated a workshop entitled Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs for representatives from each school. The workshop provided practical ideas and resources to incorporate physical activity breaks into classroom activities.

“We really love the idea of ‘brain breaks’ for our students,” reported Becky Aiken, Nurse Manager for GCPS. “Research clearly shows that brain breaks increase academic achievement, help with concentration, boost on-task behavior, and improve student attitudes, so we really want our schools to incorporate brain breaks into their daily routine.”

Most of the schools used some of their mini-grant funds to purchase classroom resources that lend themselves to movement and activity. In addition to the classroom resources, the schools have also invested in resources to support school-wide activities. For example, several schools have started gardens, including hydroponic units. They use their wellness funds for potting soil, seeds, plants, and gardening tools. Once the plants are grown, the fresh produce is used in the cafeteria or in the classrooms. Some schools purchased winter outdoor play equipment like sleds so that students can be active outside all year round. Other activities chhave included or will include walking clubs, wellness bulletin boards, a schoolwide wellness day, taste testing of new fruits and vegetables, color runs, field days, and bike safety events.

“I am both amazed and impressed by the creativity of the school staff in coming up with wellness activities for their schools,” explained Kendra McLaughlin, Director of Health Education and Outreach at GCHD and coordinator of the grant. “Their commitment to the health of their students is remarkable.”

For more information about school wellness, contact Becky Aiken at 301-746-8668 or Kendra McLaughlin at 301-334-7732.