Creating a culture of wellness in a school goes far beyond what happens in a single classroom. This session will explore how to intentionally build and sustain a school-wide culture of wellness that supports students, staff, and families.
Attendees will learn practical strategies for establishing a strong foundation from the start of the school year, including building relationships, creating a sense of safety and belonging, and clearly defining what “wellness” means within a school community. The session will also highlight ways to increase staff buy-in by prioritizing connection, listening to staff needs, and empowering key stakeholders to lead alongside you.
Participants will be introduced to the 10–80–10 framework to help focus energy where it has the greatest impact, along with simple, effective ways to create momentum without overwhelming staff.
Finally, attendees will walk away with actionable ideas for fostering collaboration across staff, engaging families, and elevating their role as a leader in shaping a culture of lifelong wellness within their school.
Between 2001 and 2017, the number of children learning to ride a bike in the US dropped by 55% (Buehler, Pucher, Bauman). One way that communities in various parts of the country are pushing back on this trend is ensuring that kids have an opportunity to learn to ride in school. Attendees to this hands-on/seats-on-saddles workshop will take part in a pop-up balance bike rodeo, adopting the role of the kids in a similar event that might be offered at a school, community center, summer camp, or other community venue – and in the process learning about both the experience and the logistics of bringing such activities to life. People can choose to observe or participate directly. Participants will get fitted for a loaner helmet, with a temporary liner, get fitted for a balance bike, and get introduced to the basics of the challenge course and related road safety signage and principles. Then participants will circulate on the challenge course riding on balance bikes, in the process seeing how the course can be set up (whether as a temporary pop-up installation or a permanent facility in a public locale like a school, playground, or park), the kinds of activities involved, and how other adults and different community organizations can be engaged in the work of counteracting the statistical drop in kids learning to ride over the past 20 years – and expanding familiarity with the gateway physical activity, transportation, mental health, independence, and economic savings engine that is the bicycle.
Nature holds a special place for each of us. Yet, American author and journalist Richard Louv points to Nature Deficit Disorder in today's children as a result of less time spent outdoors. Simultaneously, Common Sense Media reports that average screen times are increasing with technology impacting the way that children communicate, learn, and play. Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku (or forest bathing), this session will explore how plant life, trees, and forests serve as an intervention for decreasing stress, while improving focus and encouraging creative thinking - for yourself and for students. Learn how and why incorporating nature mindfully into the school day can yield positive improvements on student willingness and community building. Experience how the practice of forest therapy serves as an exceptional modality to promote mental and physical wellness in group settings.
