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SAD 43’s health promotion and wellness program has the full support of administrators, school board members, school staff and students.

Strong administration support is evidenced by time given to health promotion and wellness during staff in-service days. Superintendent Jim Hodgkins understands the need for school staff to take care of themselves and the positive connection between health and productive learning in the classroom. He asks that the administrators and teachers have a personal health and wellness goal.

There is strong school board support and understanding for the value of health promotion and wellness. Board members feel that the SAD 43 wellness program has helped create a more positive and well informed staff and helps give the teachers more energy to teach. A school board member stated: “We are in the business of educating the whole child. What they learn as students will carry over into their adult lives.” The program extends into the community as well and the community-school link is making a positive difference in the community.

The SAD 43 Wellness team is enthusiastic and provides diverse programming for students and staff. The team holds a bike rodeo and health fair for students. They support the strong integration of health education and wellness. The after-school program includes working with the local recreation department on a ski club and a walking and healthy eating program.

Lessons learned in health and physical education are supported by school health policies that encourage healthy eating and discourage tobacco use and wellness is coordinated with all aspects of school health.

Mental health activities include staff welcome packets, birthday cards, a wellness tour to Boston, and Christmas caroling. The SAD 43 wellness clinic provides time for a mental health worker to be present in the school and the district is participating in a suicide prevention grant. SAD 43 provides health screenings and stress reduction sessions for staff and through a Physical Education Program grant, has purchased fitness equipment to encourage increased physical activity.

Through a conscious effort, the SAD 43 health promotion program has worked to show care and respect for all. Maintenance staff who are involved say, “It’s all about the kids.” Team members feel that the wellness team is the best team they can be on, that the team is a positive, loving and giving team.

We are proud to present SAD 43 with this exemplary health promotion and wellness award.

Kathy has been at the forefront of the Wellness Team from the beginning in 1993. She co-chaired the Wellness Team for one year and has since been chairperson of the team. Kathy is a tireless leader and has led the team in bringing a wide-range of activities to the district. Above all else, Kathy has made the notion of staff wellness part of the everyday culture in SAD #43. Staff expects to have Wellness opportunities available during workshops and throughout the year. People in this district are proud to be a part of this committee and Kathy is the one person who deserves the credit for establishing and maintaining this attitude. Health Promotion and Wellness are synonymous with Kathy Sutton in SAD 43.

Chris has been a member of the Wellness Team since his arrival in the district in the fall of 1999. He has attended the Maine Schoolsite Health Promotion Conference on many occasions and has been a strong administrative supporter of the Wellness effort in the district. He has organized and led numerous wellness activities, including kayaking, snowshoeing, and Christmas caroling to name a few. He also advocated to the district Administrative Team for the need to have a personal wellness goal be a part of staff goals. Chris is certainly seen as an integral member of the Wellness Team and has strongly contributed to the success of the team.

Jim has been a strong supporter of the Wellness Team over the two years that he has been the Superintendent of MSAD #43. He has been a member of wellness teams as a Principal in previous districts in which he has worked. As a result, he has advocated for and supported the need for the Wellness Team to have a prominent role in this district. He continues to support the team and is involved in workshop offerings throughout the school year. Last year, he and the middle school physical education teacher sang for the staff during lunch as a wellness activity. Jim’s on-going support has been appreciated and for this reason he is presented with this outstanding leadership award.

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