School-Based Youth Wellness Council Staten Island Technical High School Ginny Mantello, M.D. Director of Health and Wellness, Office of the Staten Island Borough President
School-Based Wellness Model All School Students Wellness Ambassadors (20-30 students) Wellness Council (12-15 students) Wellness Directors (2-3 teachers or clinicians) Wellness Chair (Principal)
Role of Wellness Directors Direct the Wellness Council Develop ideas/initiatives along with Wellness Council Responsible for program oversight, reporting, communication, execution Ability to influence decisions and implement ideas Responsible for budget of Wellness program Assign responsibilities to Wellness Council
Role of Wellness Council Have a strong passion for wellness Meet with Wellness Directors periodically to evaluate programs, initiatives, incentives. Communicate initiatives to Wellness Ambassadors and/or staff Be representatives of the School-Based Wellness Program Track data, student satisfaction, surveys Be knowledgeable about Borough-wide/community programs, events, health fairs, etc.
Role of Wellness Ambassadors Strong interest in Wellness Role models/respected by colleagues Comfortable interacting with colleagues Able to engage students around wellness and drive participation Be familiar with programs/services being offered locally in the school and in the community Refer students to these programs Provide input/feedback to Wellness Council
Examples of Wellness Initiatives Healthy Cooking Demos and tastings Slim down/fitness challenge Walking challenge Periodic farmers markets Healthy recipe challenge Massage therapy, yoga, meditation sessions Walking groups Seminars/lectures on nutrition, stress reduction, mind body techniques
Would you be interested in participating in a voluntary wellness program at Staten Island Technical High School?
Which of the following wellness activities (if any) would you like to see incorporated at Staten Island Technical High Sch00l?
Next Steps Assemble a Wellness Council consisting of leadership students (ex. National Honors Society, SERP, student athletes etc.) from SITHS. Establish regular meetings On-going dialogue and information sharing between meetings Work on list of initiatives for wellness at the school