School Wellness Initiative

Implementation Proposal Application

FOR PHASE ONE IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS

Section 1 – Organization Data

Section 2 –Narrative

District Information

1. Briefly summarize the history of the school district.

Eastern Local School District, Meigs County, Ohio was formed in 1957 by the consolidation of Olive-Orange Local School District and Central Local School District. Olive-Orange encompassed the areas in and around Tuppers Plains, Reedsville, and Long Bottom. Central Local School District took in the area surrounding Chester, Ohio.

The initial consolidation that created Eastern Local resulted in the creation of three elementary schools and one high school. The Olive-Orange High School building was renovated and transformed into the Tuppers Plains Elementary School. The Central Local 1-12 building became the Chester Elementary School . It was impractical for the students in the Reedsville and Long Bottom areas to travel to either Chester or Tuppers Plains, so a new building, Riverview Elementary, was constructed between the two towns. The current Eastern High School building was constructed between Tuppers Plains and Chester, on Ohio Route 7, to service all students in grades 9-12. The class of 1958 was the first to graduate from the new Eastern High School building. The Tuppers Plains Vocational Shop building was closed and all vocational students have since attended Meigs Local School District.

Seventeen years after its inception, Eastern Local had outgrown its initial structures. Due to overcrowding in the elementary buildings, a junior high school wing was added to the Eastern High School building. Students in grades 7-8 first occupied the new wing in the 1974-1975 school year. This action left Chester, Riverview, and Tuppers Plains schools to service only grades K-6.

Eastern survived in its second configuration for 23 years. The 1997 consolidation that led to the current configuration of the school district closed two buildings, renovated one building, and built one building. Chester Elementary and Riverview Elementary were closed and sold. Tuppers Plains Elementary was closed and converted to house Eastern Local’s administrative offices. A new elementary was built contiguous to the existing high school. It was constructed to house all of Eastern Local’s students in grades K-8. Eastern Local High School was renovated, making it safer and more accessible. The junior high students, along with all of the district’s K-6 students occupied a new elementary building sharing a campus with the existing Eastern High School. This 1997 configuration, still in use, also allowed for two non-district entities to use school property to assist the community. Eastern Elementary houses a branch of the local public library and there is a Head Start program housed with the district’s administrative offices in Tuppers Plains.

2. Briefly state the vision and mission of the school district.

Eastern Local school district’s mission, in an active partnership with parents and community, is to create a positive environment that provides opportunities for students to reach their full potential. We maintain high expectations, encouraging each student to develop lifelong skills and knowledge to succeed in a diverse democratic society. We are committed to the philosophy that all students can learn and succeed. Our goals are aligned with the Ohio Department of Education as follows:

1. All students will meet or exceed Ohio’s academic content standards.

2. Our schools will provide environments that are safe, drug-free and contribute to the well-being of students.

3. Our schools will promote school-community partnerships.

4. All staff will be proficient in content area and/or grade level.

We utilize a variety of delivery systems to educate and support students in making healthy choices that promote overall well-being.

3. Provide a brief overview of the school district and county, including the county’s socioeconomic status, unemployment rates, levy status and history, and any other descriptive information.

Eastern Local School District is situated, as its name implies, on the eastern side of Meigs County. Meigs County is one of Ohio's Appalachian counties. Bordering West Virginia, Meigs County has a place in the greater cultural region of Appalachia. The county has a population of 23,072 according to the 2000 census. According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, 10% of the county's population is unemployed and about 20% of the population lives at or below the poverty level.

Eastern Local has a student population of 868, 381 of which qualify for free or reduced lunches. Eastern has a student-to-teacher ratio of 17.55, ranking it 13th out of the 21 districts serviced by the Southeastern Ohio Voluntary Education Cooperative. Local support for Eastern is high, allowing for a new elementary building to be opened in 1997. Unfortunately, the funding system for the district does not allow the community to easily increase Eastern's available funds. The local tax payers would have to levy nearly six additional mils in order to meet the "floor" or minimum required millage for a school district in Ohio. This means that small tax increases levied at the local level, and tolerable to the local economy, do not actually increase the funds available to the school, they only increase the percentage of those funds coming from the local depressed economy. Eastern has passed only 8 out of 21 attempted levies since 1967. This demonstrates a willingness of the local citizens to support the school district, but a lack ability to do so, based on a dysfunctional funding system that propagates districts in low-property-value areas to be trapped at the minimum level of funding, or 23 mils.

School Health Council and Activities

4. Please describe the district wide School Health Council

The School Health Council (also known as the Wellness Team) was organized in 2003. In its beginning stages the committee met on an as-needed basis. Several core staff members, led by Jody Howard, elementary principal, began attending continuing education opportunities in the region, and the team would meet to follow-up and plan for implementation of wellness initiatives that had been introduced. The council was initially co-chaired by Mary Anne Moore, School Nurse, and Mary Price, Special Services Coordinator. Mary Price is currently chairing the council for the 07-08 school year. The council has continued to grow and its function has become more comprehensive over time. For the last two years, a team has attended the coordinated School Health Conference and returned with goals and an action plan for achieving those goals. With guidance from the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation and the Coordinated School Health Conference, the council has become better organized and more structured. We have increased the effectiveness of the council.

Meetings are now held on a monthly basis and attended by a variety of stakeholders including: teachers, administrators, school counselor, board members, school nurse, community agency members, community members and students. In addition, there are sub-committees to plan and implement various initiatives and to explore school health issues. The council has become involved in evaluating and making recommendations regarding the district policies and practices as well as planning and implementing selected activities. The committee has led the district in pursuing grant opportunities and in developing programs that support healthy lifestyle choices for students, staff and families in our schools.

5. Provide the vision, goals and objectives for the district School Health Council.

The mission of the School Health Council is to protect and promote the health of our students as a foundation for success in school and life. We recognize that good nutrition and regular physical activity are integral to health and well-being. We believe schools can have an important impact in the developmental process by which students establish healthy lifestyle habits. In addition, we believe that schools cannot accomplish this task in isolation – a community-wide effort is necessary to promote, support and model healthy behaviors.

Specific goals and objectives for the current school year can be referenced in our attached Wellness Action Plan and include:

a. Increase opportunities for daily physical activity for k-6 students

b. Implement Physical Activity/Nutrition Fair to introduce/emphasize MyPyramid messages

c. Provide continuing education opportunities for staff to increase awareness of wellness and

health related issues

d. Establish/maintain and operate a School Health Council inclusive of students, parents and

community members

e. Begin planning for district health and wellness activities for 2008-09 and beyond

6. Describe any challenges facing the School Health Council and the implementation of wellness activities.

The Eastern Local School District Wellness Council has been in existence for a relatively short period of time; yet, we have faced many challenges in implementing our wellness plan. Being a smaller school district, we have had many people eager to be a part of the wellness initiative despite the fact that they are also active on other committees. Thus far our committee member difficulties have centered around the scheduling of an accommodating meeting time; aforementioned time constraints of committee members; and avoidance of "burnout" of committee members.

It seems that as a smaller school district, and even just the mere fact that we are a school district in general, we often face the task of finding financial support for the many positive ventures we undertake. Asking businesses within the community for a partnership and seeking out other grant opportunities takes time and effort. At times it can be difficult to focus on what sometimes seems an overwhelming task: implementing a wellness program that will succeed in challenging our community's mindset about wellness. However, our positive attitudes and passion for healthy lifestyles are all the motivation we need to overcome each challenge.

7. Describe the district’s demonstrated support for wellness activities.

By far, our greatest asset is our people and their ability to work together. The leadership team in our district is committed to teaching and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. Administrators take an active role in serving on the School Health Council and have been very supportive of our wellness activities. Our school board has adopted a Wellness Policy and welcomes the input of the Health Council when reviewing policy. In addition, we have multidisciplinary representation on our Health Council so that various perspectives are considered. We have had tremendous support from our community partners and many staff and community members with interest in wellness issues are willing to be the “worker bees” who get things accomplished.

Specific examples include:

1. Superintendent Rick Edwards serves as an active member of the Health Council and participates in planning at all levels.

2. Health Council Chair Mary Price has been granted the autonomy and flexibility to attend needed sessions to carry out the activities needed to lead the team.

3. Board member John Rice attends meetings whenever possible and enthusiastically promotes activities to the community and board of education.

4. Principal Jody Howard champions our wellness activities and has a remarkable talent for motivating her entire staff to get involved and be supportive.

5. Meigs County Cardiovascular Health Coordinator Andy Brumfield has been an integral part of our team – he is always available to lend guidance and support. Whenever funds are needed to carry out activities, Andy searches for ways to help us procure them.

And many others too numerous to mention by name but immensely valued.

8. Describe major school wellness accomplishments since initiation of the School Health Council; include significant activities related to wellness in individual schools. Please provide for both district and individual schools a description of the expected wellness-related accomplishments in academic year 2007-08 and b) expected wellness-related accomplishments for 2008-09.

Since our schools are all housed on one campus, most of our activities are offered to all students, staff and community members. A list of significant activities follows:

2003-2006

District Activities

• “Fitness” room made available for staff – Cardio machines, including treadmill, bike and stair-stepper

• Wellness information/activities incorporated in staff professional development activities

• Breakfast available for all students at no cost

• Milk Vending Machine

• Food Service Coordinator established following goals:

  • More fresh fruits and vegetables

  • “Healthier” ala carte snacks – e.g., baked chips,pretzels, nutrition bars

  • More reduced fat products

  • More whole grains – wheat bread

  • Offer only drinks with nutritional value

Eastern Elementary Activities

• Building open before and after school for staff and community walking

• BMI Measurements per nurse and Meigs County Health Department

• Guidance Counselor presents targeted “Second Step” lessons incorporating healthy lifestyle choices

• Guidance Counselor coordinates family “Turn off the TV” activities

• “Morning Walk” is part of AM routine

• PTO led a project to improve playground safety and provide circuit equipment to encourage physical activity at recess

• Recess before lunch implemented

Eastern High School Activities

• School Nurse provides targeted instruction related to health/wellness

• School Nurse provides blood pressure screening and weight control education

• Guidance counselor incorporates family, individual and group advocacy programs dealing with mental health/wellness related issues

2007-2008

District Activities

• Wellness related information/activity has been provided at each professional development day . In April the wellness team will host the professional development day with the entire day devoted to wellness information and activities. We plan to visit the Athens Recreational Center and the Alexander Fitness Trail. There will be planned presentations and activities for the staff with a “healthy” lunch provided by Hocking College students. Health Screenings will be offered through Holzer Clinic

• We are participating in a “Biggest Loser” contest, competing against the other school districts in the county. Meigs County Health Department Cardiovascular Health Coordinator is coordinating the contest

• Our students have been introduced to Dance Dance Revolution which was provided by our Meigs County CVH grant

• A Nutrition/Physical Activity Fair will be offered in the evening for the community in March

• CPR and AED Classes have been offered for the staff and community monthly by the school nurse

Eastern Elementary Activities

• Jr high Students are being offered a new elective class called “Get Movin”- with a focus on lifetime physical activity choices

• A Nutrition/Physical Activity Fair will be held in spring for students

• All parent volunteers were contacted by letter and asked to work with the school to provide healthy celebrations for elementary students – suggestions were given for healthy party snacks and games incorporating movement

• Students and staff have been surveyed relating to wellness opportunities and interests

• Take Ten curriculum has been provided and k-4 teachers were given options for leading their classes in a daily ten minute activity

Eastern High School Activities

• Asthma education has been provided by the school nurse

• CPR/AED training per school nurse

• Students are being recruited to serve on the wellness team

2008-2009

District Goals

• We hope to concentrate on developing a walking path /fitness trail to provide opportunities for students, staff and community members to increase physical activity

• We also hope to expand our efforts publicizing and promoting wellness and utilization of the walking path/fitness trail via signs, newsletters, newspaper and the web

• We would like to utilize the Snackwise system to evaluate and make changes in vending

• We would like to expand and improve the “fitness room” for staff and possibly, community

• We would like to identify ways to evaluate and improve our school food service

Elementary Goals

• We would like to evaluate our physical education offerings and explore ways to develop curriculum and obtain equipment to introduce lifelong physical activities

High School Goals

• We would like to evaluate our physical education offerings and explore ways to develop curriculum and obtain equipment to introduce lifelong physical activities

• We would like to form a student-led wellness team to lead the high school in wellness activities and initiatives

9. Describe the School Health Council accomplishments in the Capacity Building Phase of the Healthy & Fit Initiative and how these accomplishments support Implementation Phase readiness.

With the support and guidance of the Foundation during the Capacity Building Phase we have been able to strengthen our School Health Council. We have become more organized and focused. We have established regular meetings with agendas and have more multidisciplinary, community and student representation on the Health Council. We have established goals and developed action plans for achieving them. We have learned to write more measurable objectives. We were able to send additional participants to the Coordinated School Health Conference. We have been able to carry out planning activities and we have been able to educate and engage our community and staff members. These activities have helped us to build a strong foundation to build upon as we prepare to enter the Implementation Phase.

Grant History

10. Describe the significant grant history of the district wide School Health Council and activities. For each grant, please indicate funding date and amount, time frame, funder, a brief project description, and accomplishments. Insert rows as needed.

Date Funded and Amount	Length of Grant	Funder	Project Description	Accomplishments
2006-$500.00	One year	Lung Assoc	Asthma education And awareness for Students and staff	Increased awareness regarding daily living strategies and emergency strategies for managing asthma
2006-$1000.00	One time allocation	Private Donation	To be utilized for “wellness’ activities	Fitness equipment purchased for staff use
2007- $5000.00	One time allocation	Lowe’s	Used for playground project	Used to purchase circuit training equipment for playground project
2007 - $500.00	One time allocation	SPCHEO	Used for playground project	Utilized to provide ground cover to meet safety standards for playground

Date Funded and Amount	Length of Grant	Funder	Project Description	Accomplishments
2007- $1000.00	One time allocation	Farmer’s Bank	Playground project	Purchase of circuit equipment
2007- $1000.00	One time allocation	Wal-Mart	Playground project	Purchase of circuit equipment
2007- $2000.00	One time allocation	Private individual matched by Holzer Clinic	Playground project	Purchase of circuit equipment

Implementation Project

11. Describe your Implementation Project

Funds are being requested to support the Eastern Gets Movin’! project. Eastern Local’s self-assessment via the School Health Index noted a weakness in the area of Community Involvement and a relative weakness in Physical Education/Physical Activity. Increasing physical activity has been an on-going priority for the health council. Results of informal staff and student surveys have indicated the need for increased opportunities for physical activity in the community. Being a rural community, we have few opportunities to visit recreational facilities such as parks and walking/bike trails. Since our school campus is centrally located, it is a preferred site for our families.

A long-term goal for our health council has been the construction of a walking path. With the opportunity presented through this project, our team envisioned expanding the path to incorporate a trail with fitness stations. The area for the walking path had been “roughed out” several years ago when the wellness team sponsored a staff/community 5K walk/run. The path is one mile in length and surrounds the perimeter of the school property. In addition, a loop around the playground area will provide a safe, clean area for student “morning walk” activities. Consultation with community construction personnel assisted the team in determining how to construct the path. It was determined that a six foot wide path would be needed and appropriate construction and foundation materials were identified. The superintendent has been engaged in on-going discussions with local construction companies and the Ohio Department of Transportation. Heavy equipment will be loaned by local companies and recycled ground asphalt will be provided by ODOT. Wellness team members have contacted Hocking College to recruit the heavy equipment class as operators to provide labor for developing the path. If this effort is unsuccessful, the district administration has voiced support to recruit manpower and the spouse of one of our team members who is employed by Walker Cat machinery has volunteered to assist. When the base is completed, wellness team members will contact PTO, industrial arts class, parents, staff members and summer student workers to assist in developing the trail and installing the Road Fabric. District employees will haul and spread recycled asphalt. It is anticipated that staff, student and community involvement during the construction of the path will create a sense of ownership and support future development.

The wellness team explored several options for outdoor equipment and reviewed the equipment via the internet and by visiting nearby facilities in Albany and Marietta. Following review of the types and costs, the team made a decision to pursue equipment manufactured by TriActive America. This equipment was chosen on the basis of durability, warranty, ease of use and preference. The trail would initially have 10-12 fitness stations. Expansion of the trail to include additional fitness stations is a long-term goal of the team. It was determined that a local construction company would be employed to install equipment in order to ensure safety and adherence to timelines. The projected timeline for the project is as follows:

1. Trail base to be completed by August 2008

2. Fitness stations to be assembled/installed by September 2008

3. Open House to be held by October 2008

By fall of 2008, the wellness team will sponsor a community promotional activity. It is our goal to sponsor the activity in conjunction with our annual open house event. We will advertise opening of the walking path/fitness trail to encourage community support. Planned methods to promote the Eastern Gets Movin’! project include informational letters sent home with students, web page, posters, local newspaper and radio and school newsletters.

The walking path will be accessible to all classes during the school day. The wellness team plans to offer professional development opportunities to staff providing instruction regarding proper use of the equipment and signs will also be utilized. Additionally, the walking path/fitness trail will be available for after school programs and school events such as Mini-Relay for Life and Turn Off the TV. The facility will also be made available to the community. Our board of education has expressed interest in offering opportunities for community members and organizations to place benches, receptacles, plants, etc., along the path as memorials to school and community members. Once the walking path/fitness trail is completed it will always be a resource to support wellness initiatives and reinforce our goal of improving the health and well-being of our school community.

The construction of a walking path and fitness trail will create a new and long-lasting resource providing opportunities for a diverse group of people to engage in increased activity. The school health index results support provision of community physical activity options and the need for encouraging a physically active lifestyle. Through development of a walking path and fitness trail we will be able to promote physical activity in an environment that provides opportunities for enjoyment, challenge and social interaction. We believe our project can effect sustainable change and improve the quality of life for District students, staff and community.

12. Please list the goals, objectives and expected outcomes for the project. Describe the steps required to achieve the project goals and how you will know when you have achieved the project goal. Include a description of the plan for evaluation of the project.

Eastern’s project focuses on the goal of promoting physical activity. Objectives of the project are:

1) To construct a walking path

2) To develop a fitness trail with activities and equipment designed to build strength, flexibility and cardiovascular endurance

3) To obtain community support by advertising and promoting the facility and making it accessible to individuals before, during and after school

Assessment of the project will be accomplished by the following:

1. The wellness team will develop and conduct a survey of students, staff and community. Perceived activity levels pre and post project implementation will be included in the survey. Additionally, post-survey will seek input regarding trail usage, benefits and suggestions for improvement

2. Usage of the trail will be monitored. The wellness team will provide activity logs for all district staff to note when classes, organizations and clubs have used the trail. Team members plan to document community involvement in assisting with completion of the trail and attendance at events held at the trail. Professional development participation can also be assessed by number of participants. To determine the amount of trail usage outside the school day a site registry could be installed.

Data will be reviewed by the wellness team to determine if development of the facility has achieved the goal of promoting physical activity.

13. Describe any expected challenges to project implementation.

Challenges to implementing the project may involve support for the construction and continuing

utilization of the trail. Since we aspire to appropriate community resources and volunteer labor

during construction, wellness team members will have to stay actively committed to recruiting

and regrouping when necessary. In order to promote on-going utilization of the trail we will

need to continue staff development and marketing. Having student and parent organizations

involved in development or the trail will help keep the community engaged. In addition , we

recognize the need to actively promote the project through multiple modalities.

14. Describe the external influences that may impact the project and how the project will be designed to address the influences.

External factors that may impact our project encompass district liability and security issues including student safety in regard to access and vandalism. Wellness team members are actively working with the Board of Education and administration to address these concerns

15. Partnerships: Identify current partners, their roles, contributions (financial and programmatic), and expected participation in 2008-2009. Please also identify any new partners expected for the next year.

The District will be partnering with Hocking College, local construction companies and ODOT to complete this project. In addition, students, parents and staff members will be recruited to assist with aspects of the project. Roles and contributions are outlined in the project description and budget narrative. It is anticipated that some additional materials may be needed at some point. The Meigs County Cardiovascular Coordinator has indicated willingness to assist with additional needs that arise whenever possible. Efforts to pursue additional community support will be made for future expansion/enhancement of the trail.

16. Sustainability: describe plans for long-term sustainability of the project and indicate efforts currently underway related to project sustainability.

District maintenance personnel will be responsible for upkeep. District administration has expressed a commitment to consider funding any needed repairs. Our PTO has been very active in developing and improving the playground site aid is always open to consider requests for assistance. Staff development and promotional activities will be annually updated to ensure on-going operation of the facility.