Wellness Initiative for Student Success
Program Elements
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Improving the nutrition and physical activity environment in schools can improve student success. The Wellness Initiative for
Student Success (WISS) is designed to bring together school wellness teams that include administrators, nutrition leaders, and
physical education/physical activity leaders for the purpose of making changes at the school level.
Registration for this initiative requires a commitment to attend all designated sessions and to complete all applicable work at
the local level. The Initiative will begin in October 2015 and culminate in October 2016 with a celebration of success at the
Healthy Kids, Healthy Programs Summit in May 2016. Participants completing the entire series will receive a Wellness
Initiative for Student Success Banner to proudly display in their school.
Please register at http://www.doe.mass.edu/conference/?ConferenceID=8094 for the October 6, 2015 session. Registration
for the remaining sessions will be sent once original registration is confirmed.
Commitment:
 3-5 Wellness Team members per school1
 Participation in all sessions (see below)
 Submit current Local Wellness Policy
 Completion of the School Health Index2
 Completion of the SmarterLunchrooms Scorecard and commitment to implement 10 new strategies from the Scorecard
 Sign your school up to be a Team Nutrition School - http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/join-team
 Completion of the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program – Physical Activity Leader Training
 Sign your school up for Let’s Move Active Schools - www.letsmoveschools.org
 Completion of an Action Plan that results in changes to the nutrition and physical activity environment
 Share program outcomes and strategies
Requirements:
 All participating schools must sign a letter of commitment to participate in the process
 Wellness Team participants must, at minimum, include a school nutrition manager or director, school administrator, and
a physical education teacher. Up to two additional team members may attend.
SESSION DATES AND DESCRIPTION
Session 1 – Wellness Initiative for Student Success: Designing A Healthier School Environment
Required Participants: All Team Members
Date: October 6, 2015 – DoubleTree Hotel Westborough, MA
Session 2 – Increasing your Bottom Line through Smarter Lunchrooms
Required Participants: School Nutrition Staff3
Date: To be arranged with a Smarter Lunchrooms Coach (school-site visit)
Session 3 – Improving the School Physical Education & Activity Environment Before, During, and After School
Required Participants: Physical Education/Activity Staff and Administrator 3
Date: October 26, 2015 – Best Western Royal Plaza, Marlborough, MA
Session 4 – Work within the School Wellness Team to Address Change
Required Participants: All Team Members
Date: October 2015 – February 2016 – at school site
Session 5 – Addressing Barriers to Sustainability and Change for Success
Required Participants: All Team Members
Date: March 2016 (specific date and location to be determined)
Session 6 – Celebration of Success and Post-Implementation Debrief
Required Participants: Team Representatives
Date: May 2016 – Healthy Kids, Healthy Programs Summit
Session 7 – Post Participation Follow-up
Required Participants: School Teams will participate in a follow-up evaluation related to the project
Date: Fall 2016
1
District Wellness Teams with a commitment to change in multiple schools will be discussed individually
Schools completing the School Health Index in the last 12 months may use those results for this initiative
3All Wellness Team members are welcome to attend, but are not required
2