Cultivating A Healthy School
School Counselor, John Hegg, has received state-wide recognition for promoting wellness at Edison Middle School in Sioux Falls. This fall, Edison was a finalist in the Governor's Healthy School award program.
The Governor's Healthy School award program judges how well schools meet all components of wellness including: health promotion for staff, health education, family and community involvement, nutrition services, healthy school environment, health services, physical education and counseling, psychological and social services. To be recognized, a school or district had to display success in one of the above components within the last three years.
Edison Middle School was acknowledged for their success in developing and maintaining a staff wellness program for the last 18 years. This program consists of an individualized program for each staff member who volunteers to participate. Participants have the opportunity to earn one wellness point a day, working toward a goal of 85 points. In late May, the entire Edison community of students, parents and staff, join together for a 2-mile fun run/walk. This Celebration of Wellness is also a fundraiser for Edison's serving day at The Banquet, helping The Banquet provide daily meals for the homeless.
Along with the staff wellness program, the students also are working to cultivate wellness. There is a modified wellness program offered to students in the TORCH program, as well as healthy treats available for sale in the morning.
John has stated, "We all know how important it is for those of us in the helping profession to take care of ourselves in order to more effectively help others and to be a model of healthy living for our clients." Under John's leadership, Edison Middle School clearly has made cultivating wellness a priority.