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NYC EXCELLENCE IN SCHOOL

WELLNESS AWARD

Award Application: School Year 2014-15

The NYC Excellence in School Wellness Award recognizes elementary

schools for their efforts in creating a healthy

school environment as a means to prevent

childhood obesity and improve academic

achievement.

2014-15 NYC EXCELLENCE IN SCHOOL WELLNESS AWARD

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. – World Health Organization, 1948

The NYC Excellence in School Wellness Award is given by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and partner organizations to public elementary schools. The award’s focus is to highlight school policies and practices that will encourage healthier behaviors and lifestyles within our communities. Evidence for the Physical Education and Physical Activity Criteria

“Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.” - John F. Kennedy

Physical activity is good for everyone. An active life makes us healthier and stronger and helps ward off a variety of chronic diseases. The national recommendation is that children be physically active at least 60 minutes a day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reviewed 43 research studies that examined the link between physical education class, recess, classroom physical activity and extracurricular physical activity and academic performance. Key results are below.

• Physical activity has been shown to improve concentration, memory, focus and classroom behavior in children - characteristics correlated with higher academic performance.

• Children who received 60 minutes of physical education a day performed higher on academic tests than children who received 40 minutes a week.

• Children who were active during recess exhibited greater classroom focus and concentration than children who sat quietly in the library during recess.

Evidence for the Nutrition Criteria

“Those who think they have no time for healthy eating, will sooner or later have to find time for illness.” -

Edward Stanley

We want students to eat nutritious food that will fuel their minds and bodies. Students learn these basic facts in nutrition class but what happens outside of the classroom sends a more powerful message. That means the food and drinks provided and sold in schools must be consistent with the health messages taught.

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• Morning fasting has a negative effect on cognitive performance, even among healthy, well-nourished children. A test of the speed and accuracy of response on problem-solving tasks given to children who did or did not eat breakfast found that skipping breakfast had an adverse effect on their test performance.

• A variety of studies cited by the Food and Nutrition Information Center have linked improved nutrition to enhanced student health and academic performance. According to one study, children who consumed diets high in sugar, fat and processed foods in early childhood exhibited lower IQ scores later in life. Another study showed lower short-term memory performance in students who skipped breakfast. Evidence for Mental Health Criteria

“Mental health is not simply the absence of mental illness but also encompasses social, emotional, and behavioral health and the ability to cope with life’s challenges.”

- National Association of School Psychologists Elementary school aged students are facing increasing pressure about test scores and academic performance. For many students, that stress is compounded by difficult situations at home (financial woes, violence, transitional/temporary housing, etc). Good mental, emotional and social health is essential for children to lead healthy and productive lives both in and outside of the classroom. Children who are not diagnosed and treated early can have problems at home, in school, and in forming friendships.i They are also at high risk for violent or self-destructive behavior, and alcohol or drug abuse.ii Schools offer an ideal setting for mental health services, since they are where children spend most of their day.iii Research shows that school-based positive behavioral interventions reduce disruptive behavior, bullying, disciplinary referrals and suspensions, and improve concentration.iv,v,vi

• In 2009, nine percent of 6 to 12 year-olds in NYC had (previously or currently) at least one of following conditions: attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD); oppositional defiant disorder; conduct disorder or any other behavioral disorder (ODD/CD); anxiety; depression; or bipolar disorder.vii

• Training teachers to use positive behavioral intervention techniques has been shown to reduce disciplinary referrals and special education referrals, and to improve student grades.viii

References: Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2008; 5: 10. http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2010/jul/09_0176.htm http://www.ActionForHealthyKids.org. http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/survey/survey-2009fitnessgram.pdf http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/health_and_academics/pdf/pa-pe_paper.pdf http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/education/2010-04-14-letsmoveinschool15_ST_N.htm U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Mental Health. June 6, 2013. http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/LHI/mentalHealth.aspx (accessed March 5, 2014). http://www.nasponline.org/resources/handouts/sbmhservices.pdf Bradshaw, C.P., Waasdorp, T.E., and Leaf, P.J. (2012). Effects of School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports on Child Behavior Problems. Pediatrics, Vol. 130 (5), pp.e1136-e1145:.doi: 10.1542/peds.2012-0243 Problem Behavior and Urban, Low-Income Youth: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Positive Action in Chicago (2013). Am J Prev Med 44(6), pp.622–630. Snyder, F., Vuchinich, S., Acock, A., Washburn I., Beets, M., & Kin-Kit, L. (2010). Impact of the Positive Action program on school-level indicators of academic achievement, absenteeism, and disciplinary outcomes: A matched-pair, cluster randomized, controlled trial. J Res Educ Eff. January ; 3(1): 26–55. doi:10.1080/19345740903353436. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2857737/pdf/nihms-160325.pdf Wunsch-Hitzeg et al. 2013 Polirstok, S. & Gottlieb, J. (2006). The Impact of Positive Behavior Intervention Training for Teachers On Referral Rates for Misbehavior, Special Education Evaluation and Student Reading Achievement in the Elementary Grades. International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy Volume 2, No. 3.pp. 354-361.

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http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2010/jul/09_0176.htm

http://www.actionforhealthykids.org/

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/survey/survey-2009fitnessgram.pdf

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/health_and_academics/pdf/pa-pe_paper.pdf

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/education/2010-04-14-letsmoveinschool15_ST_N.htm

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/handouts/sbmhservices.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2857737/pdf/nihms-160325.pdf


Submission Process 2014-15 School Year

The award consists of 19 criteria in five different categories: physical education, physical activity, nutrition, wellness coordination, and mental health. Schools are encouraged to work with the entire school community to complete the application, including School Food, physical education staff, nurses, teachers and parents. Schools must submit documentation for all criteria checked (√). Details of required documentation are found on pages 6 to 7 of this packet. A complete application consists of:

1. NYC Excellence in School Wellness Award Application (pages 4 to 7 of this packet). 2. All documentation – labeled so that it is clear which criterion the documentation is supporting.

Application Submission and Award Notification Timeline: • March 31, 2015: Deadline for schools to submit hard copies of the award application with

supporting labeled documents. *Applications should be submitted ONLY as a hard copy *

• May 2015: All elementary schools that qualify for an award will be notified of their award level. Schools will also be notified about the award ceremony planned for late May 2015.

Award Levels: The table below shows the minimum number of criteria for each award level.

Award Level Physical

Education (3 criteria)

Physical Activity (5 criteria)

Nutrition (7 criteria)

Wellness (3 criteria)

Mental Health

(1 criteria)

Platinum All criteria All criteria All criteria All criteria All

Gold At least 2 At least 3 At least 4 At least 3 All

Silver At least 2 At least 2 At least 3 At least 2 Optional

Bronze At least 1 At least 1 At least 2 At least 1 Optional

If you have any questions regarding the award or would like more information, please email [email protected]

Partner Organizations:

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mailto:[email protected]


Winter 2015 Application

Please complete this four-page application and provide supporting labeled documentation.

School DBN (District, Borough and Number):___________ Student Enrollment: ___________

School Name: ________________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________

City: _______________________ Zip: _______________________

Main Phone: __________________ Main Fax: ____________________

Principal’s Name: _________________________________

Principal’s Email: ________________________________________________

School Contact Person for Award: ___________________________________

Contact Phone: _________________________ Method of Contact:

Contact Email: __________________________ � Phone � E-mail

Additional Questions: 1. Is this the first year your school is applying for the NYC Excellence in School Wellness Award? Yes No

2. How did you hear about the award? (Please check all that apply) Principals’ Weekly School Wellness Weekly Community partner Applied in the past Other: ____________________________________________

3. Do you give ESWA permission to use any of the policies and documentation you submit for outreach and education purposes (e.g., resource guides, best practices, etc.)? Yes No

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School Partners

Write any school partnerships with outside organizations related to nutrition, physical activity, wellness or mental health.

No. Program Name/ Partner Organization Contact Person Type of Program/Activity

Example: Mighty Milers/ NYRRF Joe Smith Running program

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Award Criteria

Please check the specific criteria (1 to 19) for which your school is submitting documentation. Remember to attach all necessary documentation, and label which criteria each document supports. Please note, for elementary schools that also have upper grades, we will not accept documentation for programs/initiatives that only serve 6th, 7th or 8th grade.

Physical Education Criteria Acceptable Documents

1. All students receive 120 minutes of PE/physical activity a week

• Master schedule of PE classes and all physical activity, i.e. dance, soccer, swim, yoga

2. Full-time OR certified PE teacher on staff • Photocopy of staff roster that shows full-time teacher

OR • Copy of PE teacher’s certification

3. NYC FITNESSGRAM completed on > 90% of students • Completion report from FITNESSGRAM (DO NOT submit individual class results with student names)

Physical Activity Criteria Acceptable Documents

4. > 50% of classroom teachers have regular/scheduled physical activity breaks during the day in the classroom.

• Photocopy of individual class schedules that shows physical activity/movement OR

• Physical activity logs that track the number of minutes that activity was done. Many classroom based physical activity programs provide their own tracking sheets.

5. Written policy or plan for active indoor recess during inclement weather

• Copy of written policy or plan for physically active indoor recess

6. School-specific written policy that prohibits the use or loss of physical activity as punishment

• Copy of written policy from parent and/or staff handbooks

7. At least two ON-SITE ongoing fitness class/classes offered to parents and/or staff during the 2014-15 school year

• Flyer advertising the class(es) OR

• Sign-in sheets from the classes

8. BEFORE school fitness class/classes that increase students’ physical activity opportunities during the 2014-15 school year (Modified criterion from previous year)

• Flyer/letter that went out to parents about the BEFORE school physical activity opportunity OR

• Photo of BEFORE school activity with brief description

Nutrition Criteria Acceptable Documents

9. > 40% of students participate in school breakfast • One week’s copy of your school’s “Report of Meals Served” from School Food manager

10. Provides juice for two or less breakfasts per week • Letter from School Food manager

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11. Salad or salad bar with at least four different vegetables offered daily (excludes mayonnaise-based salads)

• Color photos of salad bar on three different days (date photos)

12. Chocolate milk is NOT provided at any meal for ALL students • Letter from School Food manager

13. One or more written and adopted school-specific nutrition policies, such as guidelines for healthy snacks, celebrations and/or rewards

• Copy of written policy or letter in staff and/or parent handbook

14. NO competitive food is sold in or outside of the cafeteria during any meal times, including DOE approved snacks • Letter from School Food manager

15. ON-SITE nutrition or healthy cooking class/classes offered to parents and/or staff during the 2014-15 school year

• Flyer advertising the class OR

• Sign-in sheets from class

Wellness Criteria Acceptable Documents 16. Holds two or more healthy fundraisers during the 2014-

15 school year • Announcement or flyer about the healthy fundraiser

17. Active School Wellness Council/Wellness Coordinator or Champion

• School Wellness Council meeting minutes or sign-in sheets (from at least three meetings) OR

• Staff roster identifying Wellness Coordinator or Champion

18. Staff Wellness Program • Flyer advertising the staff wellness program/class

OR • Photo with description

Mental, Emotional and Social Health Criteria (NEW SECTION!) Acceptable Documents

19. Mental, emotional and social health

Any documents showing a mental health program or initiative will be accepted. Examples are: • A mental health workshop for teachers • Presence of school-wide positive behavior system, such

as PBIS

Please select the award level you would like to apply for:

Platinum Gold Silver Bronze Honorable Mention Principal Signature: _____________________________________ Award Application Contact Signature: ___________________________ School Food Manager: _________________________________

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Application Submission Instructions

Thank you for applying to the NYC Excellence in School Wellness Award! To assist, we have created divider sheets that can be used to organize your documentation. Each criterion has a divider sheet with a description of the criterion and its required documentation. The divider sheets also include helpful tips/notes and can be found on pages 9 to 27 of this document.

Tip: Print out the criteria divider sheets and place them in a binder or folder. As events and programs occur throughout the school year, put the documentation behind the divider sheet in the corresponding binder section.

Completed applications with supported documentation are due Tuesday, March 31, 2015. They can be mailed or dropped at one of the following Health Department office locations.

East and Central Harlem District Public Health Office Attn: Rebecca Lee 161-169 East 110th Street New York, NY 10029 Bronx District Public Health Office Attn: Anita Reyes 1826 Arthur Avenue Room 100 Bronx, NY 10457 Brooklyn District Public Health Office Attn: Maggie Veatch 485 Throop Avenue 1st Floor Brooklyn, NY 11221

For more information or questions, email [email protected]

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Divider Sheet: Physical Education

Criteria 1 All students receive 120 minutes of physical education (PE)/physical activity

(PA) a week

Documentation

� Master schedule of PE classes and all physical activity, i.e. dance, soccer, swim, yoga. Grade Total Minutes of PE/PA per week* Kindergarten 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade *These totals must be reflected in the documentation included.

Tips/Notes • Do not include recess or physical activity that happens before or after school.

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Divider Sheet: Physical Education Criteria 2 Full-time OR certified physical education (PE) teacher on staff

Documentation

� Photocopy of staff roster that shows full-time teacher OR

� Copy of PE teacher’s certification

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Divider Sheet: Physical Education

Criteria 3 NYC FITNESSGRAM completed on > 90 percent of students

Documentation

� Completion report from FITNESSGRAM

Tips/Notes Do not submit individual class results with student names.

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Divider Sheet: Physical Activity Criteria 4 > 50 percent of classroom teachers have regular/scheduled physical activity

breaks during the day in the classroom

Documentation

� Photocopy of individual class schedules that shows physical activity/ movement

OR � Physical activity logs that track, in minutes, how long the activity was done. Many

classroom based physical activity programs provide their own tracking sheets.

Tips/Notes

• There are many classroom based physical activity programs available to NYC schools. Most are free. Email [email protected] for a list of resources.

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Divider Sheet: Physical Activity Criteria 5 Written policy or plan for active indoor recess during inclement weather

Documentation

� Copy of written policy or plan indicating what students should do when indoors for

recess because of weather.

Tips/Notes

• Instead of watching a movie, look for DVDs of kids’ yoga or dance. • Board games are not considered active recess.

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Divider Sheet: Physical Activity Criteria 6 School-specific written policy prohibiting the use or loss of physical activity

as punishment

Documentation

� Copy of written policy from parent and/or staff handbooks

Tips/Notes

• For examples of written policies at other schools, email [email protected].

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Divider Sheet: Physical Activity Criteria 7 At least two ON-SITE ongoing fitness class/classes offered to parents

and/or staff during the 2014-15 school year

Documentation

� Flyer advertising the class(es)

OR � Sign-in sheets from the classes

Tips/Notes

• Schools have done a wide range of fitness classes for parents and staff from walking

groups to Zumba. For best practices, email [email protected].

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Divider Sheet: Physical Activity

Criteria 8 BEFORE school fitness class/classes that increase physical activity

opportunities for students during the 2014-15 school year (modified criteria from previous year)

Documentation

� Flyer/letter that went out to parents about the BEFORE school physical activity opportunity OR

� Photo of BEFORE school activity with brief description

Tips/Notes

• Should be an activity that is open to all students. Some schools have run/walk programs, Zumba or open gym before school.

• NOTE: After school and weekend activities DO NOT count towards this criterion.

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Divider Sheet: Nutrition Criteria 9 > 40 percent of students participate in school breakfast

Documentation

� One week’s copy of your school’s ‘Report of Meals Served’: From School Food manager

Tips/Notes

• DOE offers multiple breakfast programs. For more info email [email protected].

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Divider Sheet: Nutrition Criteria 10 Provides juice at two or less breakfasts per week

Documentation

� Letter from School Food manager

Tips/Notes

• Citywide school breakfast menu is NOT acceptable as it states that juice is offered daily.

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Divider Sheet: Nutrition Criteria 11 Salad or salad bar with at least four different vegetables offered daily

(excludes mayonnaise-based salads)

Documentation

� Color photos of salad bar on three different days (date photos)

Tips/Notes

• DO NOT send black & white copies of photo. • Label each photo with the date it was taken.

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Divider Sheet: Nutrition Criteria 12 Chocolate milk is NOT provided at any meal for ALL students

Documentation


Tips/Notes

• Citywide school menu is NOT acceptable as it states that chocolate milk is offered daily.

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Divider Sheet: Nutrition Criteria 13 One or more written and adopted school-specific nutrition policies, such as

guidelines for healthy snacks, celebrations and/ or rewards

Documentation

� Copy of written policy or letter in staff and/or parent handbook

Tips/Notes

• For examples of written policies from award schools, email [email protected].

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Divider Sheet: Nutrition Criteria 14 NO competitive food is sold in or outside of the cafeteria during any meal

times, including DOE approved snacks

Documentation


Tips/Notes

• Even DOE approved snacks and frozen fruit bars are NOT accepted.

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Divider Sheet: Nutrition

Criteria 15 ON-SITE nutrition or healthy cooking class/classes offered to parents

and/or staff during the 2014-15 school year

Documentation

� Flyer advertising the class

OR � Sign-in sheets from class

Tips/Notes

• Nutrition and cooking programs are available to NYC schools. Email [email protected] for a list of resources.

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Divider Sheet: Wellness Coordination Criteria 16 Holds two or more healthy fundraisers during the 2014-15 school year

Documentation

� Announcement or flyer about the healthy fundraiser

Tips/Notes

• Book fairs and school photos DO NOT count as almost all schools have these fundraisers.

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Divider Sheet: Wellness Coordination Criteria 17 Active School Wellness Council/Wellness Coordinator or Champion

Documentation

� School Wellness Council meeting minutes or sign-in sheets (from at least three

meetings) OR

� Staff roster identifying Wellness Coordinator or Champion

Tips/Notes

• For help starting a wellness council, email [email protected].

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Divider Sheet: Wellness Coordination Criteria 18 Staff Wellness Program

Documentation

� Flyer advertising the staff wellness program/class

OR � Photo with description

Tips/Notes

• For best practices and ideas from award schools, email [email protected].

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Divider Sheet: Mental, Emotional and Social Health Criteria 19 Mental, emotional and social health

Mental Health is a new focus for the award. We would love to hear from you about what you are doing to support a healthy mental, emotional, and social environment in your school community. We are open to any documentation your school submits that demonstrates a mental health program.

Documentation

� Please describe your mental health program and the documentation your school has included

Tips/Notes: Potential activities and programs include

• Make a daily emotional health announcement • Incorporate daily relaxation or mindfulness exercises • Hold a school mental health assembly for students • Create an Emotional Wellness ad hoc group lead by peers to input and help improve

school climate • Hold a mandatory annual mental health informational workshop for teachers • Hold a mental health information fair for parents and the community • Host an event with a local community mental health service provider • Create an event using DOE’s Respect for All program • Adopt a school-wide positive behavior system, such as PBIS (Positive Behavioral

Interventions & Supports) or school-based mental health program

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In Memoriam: Megan Felice Charlop1

May 13, 1952- March 17, 2010

Megan Felice Charlop was proud of the career she had built for herself at Montefiore Medical Center. She started off working part-time at the Lead Poisoning Prevention Project and eventually became its director. She was also instrumental in obtaining funding to establish the Montefiore Hospital Lead Safe House, located on Mosholu Parkway. Megan was very involved in local and state-wide efforts to combat childhood lead poisoning. She also spearheaded the development of the school component of the Hunts Point Asthma Initiative, Greening for Breathing and the Norwood Nursery. Megan served on the boards of the NYC Coalition to End Lead Poisoning and the Public Health Association of New York City from 2007 to 2009.

For the last 12 years, Megan worked at the Montefiore Hospital School-Based Health Program and developed the community health component to encourage students, parents, school staff and the overall community to advocate for healthier food and fitness options for the youth living in the Bronx. As the director, Megan was critical in expanding the program to school-based health clinics in 18 school campuses covering over 40 schools. Megan loved her job and respected and admired all of her colleagues.

Megan was a passionate community activist, and her unwavering dedication to her community will long be remembered. She was also one of the enthusiastic developers of the “NYC Excellence in School Wellness Award.” As a result, the award is dedicated to the memory of our friend, partner and colleague, Megan.

1 We are thankful to the Charlop-Powers Family for their contribution to this biography.

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i CDC 2013. ii U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Mental Health. June 6, 2013. http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/LHI/mentalHealth.aspx (accessed March 5, 2014). iii http://www.nasponline.org/resources/handouts/sbmhservices.pdf iv Bradshaw, C.P., Waasdorp, T.E., and Leaf, P.J. (2012). Effects of School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports on Child Behavior Problems. Pediatrics, Vol. 130 (5), pp.e1136-e1145:.doi: 10.1542/peds.2012-0243 v Problem Behavior and Urban, Low-Income Youth: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Positive Action in Chicago (2013). Am J Prev Med 44(6), pp.622–630. vi Snyder, F., Vuchinich, S., Acock, A., Washburn I., Beets, M., & Kin-Kit, L. (2010). Impact of the Positive Action program on school-level indicators of academic achievement, absenteeism, and disciplinary outcomes: A matched-pair, cluster randomized, controlled trial. J Res Educ Eff. January ; 3(1): 26–55. doi:10.1080/19345740903353436. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2857737/pdf/nihms-160325.pdf vii Wunsch-Hitzeg et al. 2013 viii Polirstok, S. & Gottlieb, J. (2006). The Impact of Positive Behavior Intervention Training for Teachers On Referral Rates for Misbehavior, Special Education Evaluation and Student Reading Achievement in the Elementary Grades. International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy Volume 2, No. 3.pp. 354-361.

29

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/handouts/sbmhservices.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2857737/pdf/nihms-160325.pdf