In 2018-2019, the Franklin-Randall Wellness Council (WC) did not exist in the traditional sense. As mentioned in the 2017-2018 WC summary, although support was present, attendance at meetings was minimal. This year, Nurse Lovell asked for volunteers when needed via the Franklin-Randall PTO newsletter, and she focused on continuing things already started by the WC last year: recess equipment, 5-2-1-0 challenge, equity snack pantries, and wellness opportunities for staff.
1) RECESS EQUIPMENT and STORAGE
In the 2017-18 school year, volunteers from the Franklin-Randall Wellness Council helped obtain (by purchases & donations) and organize playground equipment at both schools.
Challenges re: storage of playground equipment at Randall
Randall’s playground is a city park, therefore we cannot use a big storage shed as Franklin does.
In 2017-18, the WC purchased two large bins to store the equipment inside of Randall. Unfortunately, they were deemed fire hazards by the fire department. One bin is now used in the Randall garden; the other was damaged and thrown away.
This year, a smaller storage bin was purchased using WC funds to keep on a corner of the Randall playground. Unfortunately, the lock component on the bin was broken, and students do not routinely return play items. **A BIG thank you to Randall Nurse Assistant Terri Jaye who was instrumental in coordinating our year trial with this system (in which all students had access to recess toys/equipment).
We will go back to the previous system at Randall of having teachers keep some recess toys/equipment in their rooms for their students to use.
2) 5-2-1-0 CHALLENGE
Nurse Lovell coordinated the 2-week fitness challenge for any student at Franklin and Randall who wanted to participate. Participation was high, so hopefully many healthy habits were reinforced. One child who used to drink only chocolate milk at lunch, switched to white milk during the 5-2-1-0 Challenge; afterwards, they said, “White milk doesn’t taste so bad. I think I’ll drink chocolate milk just once a week as a treat.” Parent volunteers helped in many ways, ranging from counting handouts to putting up bulletin boards to making/donating fruit kabobs for the winning classes at each school. Staff helped a lot too, from encouraging students to earn points, to collecting handouts. No money from the WC budget was used.
3) Equity Snack Pantries
Staff and parent volunteers managed designated areas at each of our schools to keep healthy, non-perishable snacks (and sometimes fresh fruits) available to students who could not afford them. Special thanks to Bilingual-Resource-Specialist Yvonne Wullschleger who did this all by herself for years previously. And, a big thank you to the Franklin-Randall PTO which supplied the funds!
4) Wellness Opportunities for Staff
Staff were alerted via staff news and bulletin boards about various mindful and wellness conferences; the Wellness Council would pay any fees. No staff took us up on this offer.