Mary Ellen Fox, Hastings School District Health Services Coordinator, addressed the Hastings School Board at the June 28 board meeting to share the annual report on the Student Wellness Policy enacted by the school board several years ago. The Smart Choice Wellness Committee that met four times this year was established in 2010 and focuses on student health and wellness, while sharing informational newsletters to parents as well. In addition to annual student surveys, this spring, the Wellness Committee also surveyed parents and staff.
The student survey was separated into three groups of students including 519 third and fourth grade students from Hastings Elementary, 378 Hastings Middle School students and 365 Hastings High School students. The Student Survey Results for Healthy Eating and Physical Activity opportunities showed 34 percent of elementary students, 62 percent of middle school students, and 47 percent of high school students reported having healthy eating opportunities while physical activity opportunities were much higher at 99 percent for elementary students, 84 percent for middle school students and 76 percent for high school students.
In the Middle School Wellness Survey, 67 percent of students “agree” or “strongly agree” that they feel safe while 21 percent reported that in the school environment, bullying and/or violence were a concern for their safety with a 2.6 percent increase in student stress levels from 2022 to 2023.
Of high school students, 60 percent reported feeling safe in school, but there has been a significant decrease to 47 percent of those students who agree that they have opportunities for healthy eating. In the parent survey, only 15 percent of parents agree that the Hastings Public School District encourages and promotes lifelong healthy eating with 40 percent disagreeing.
Fox, a co-chair of the Smart Choice Wellness Committee commented, “I will say that (for) part of these surveys, most of them were done during this food service strike so I think that did actually flavor the responses. That was a very difficult situation to be in for all parties involved at that point. I think that colored some of the responses a little bit.”
“What we are all trying to do is raise kids who become adults that are healthy functioning adults contributing to our society,” Fox explained and continued to list the determinants of healthcare including access to healthcare, education, social status and a feeling of belonging. She continued, “The feeling of being safe in school really impacts how a student is able to learn but also it impacts their health.”
Fox remarked that one aspect of room for growth is to develop an actual curriculum for health education in elementary schools as currently there is none, as well as focusing on students’ well-being including their social and emotional health. Fox said that having health curriculum for elementary students would further enhance sustainability in the health area.
A proponent of that, Vice Chair Stephanie Malm, mentioned that she appreciated the committee’s report and asked the committee to further communicate any future needs with the school board.
Chair Lisa Hedin commented on further inquiry being made into making health improvements more appealing as she questioned the concept of special occasion treats in classrooms. She appreciated the surveys asking these questions on healthy eating to hopefully slow further impulse decision-making surrounding food in that regard.
“I’m reflecting on the social pressure around what is perceived to be a treat and what the quality of healthy eating is as a piece of celebration,” Hedin stated.
“The wellness policy does say no birthday treats so that was actually very controversial when it was passed,” Fox said.
Hedin interjected, “My impression is it’s still controversial.”
“It is still controversial, yes,” Fox agreed as she thanked the school board for their support. She applauded their efforts to have the students be healthy and socially and emotionally able to function so that they can learn.
In other news:
Under the SHIP grant, a “chill zone” is set to be installed at Pinecrest Elementary School where dysregulated students can go for privacy and solitude.
Covid cases were down from last year, with 358 known cases of Covid in students and staff reported this year.
“I think it’s our new normal,” Mary Ellen Fox remarked.
