SAND CREEK ELEMENTARY HARRISON 2
SOUTH ROUTT RE 3
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SAND CREEK ELEMENTARY HARRISON 2
As a multi-year Healthy School Champion , the Sand Creek Health and Wellness Team is held in high esteem due to its successes with health initiatives over the past several years . Sand Creek is also getting the Colorado Department of Education ’ s Center of Excellence award for their academic growth over last several years . Is it a coincidence that school health became a priority the same year this growth was first realized ? Staff do not think so . Health and wellness is an overall school priority and school improvement strategy ; as a result , the school has access to a broader set of district funds and resources .
Sand Creek is intentional in garnering buy-in from the entire staff . Health and wellness is naturally distributed and staff are given the space to step up to their passions and take leadership roles .
Sand Creek has been able to continue momentum over the last 5 years by staying focused and only adding 1-2 new initiatives without letting effective practices go . This year , the team identified health standards , and mental and emotional health as priority areas . The school created a vertical articulation document and strategies to ensure health standards were taught across all grade levels . Sand Creek also added a school social worker to support mental and emotional interventions for students through one-onone meetings and facilitated small social groups .
SOUTH ROUTT RE 3
Principals , the superintendent , school health and counseling staff , and board of education members drove system-wide school wellness efforts in South Routt RE 3 . Representatives participated on , or led , health teams at each school . A dual focus on academic achievement and health and wellness led to improvements in all areas of the Whole School , Whole Community , Whole Child ( WSCC ) model :
• District-wide , teachers were trained to help identify student health issues and connect them to supports ;
• Parent efforts around better school nutrition launched a broader health and wellness focus across the district ;
• Multi-tiered systems of support ( MTSS ) goals were written into the Unified Improvement Plan ( UIP );
• A four-day school week accelerated curriculum planning and vertical alignment for health education ;
• District staff worked with community members to ensure safe , physically-active Friday options for students when they ’ re not in school ;
• An affordable early learning center was created three years ago in response to community need ; and ,
• Intentional efforts were made to give back to community . Senior citizens and other community members can use the school facilities during non-school hours .