Award Recognizes School Employee Wellness Programs

November 12, 2009 | Written By: Rochelle Davis

By Rochelle Davis, Founding Executive Director

Does your school district have a wellness program for employees?  If yes, consider applying for the School Employee Wellness Awards Program, created by the Directors of Health Promotion and Education (DHPE).  If your school district does not have a wellness program, check out the DHPE’s nine-step program for establishing one.

Employee wellness plans help control health care costs and, more importantly, they help teachers become positive role models for students and shape an overall healthy school environment. 

The results can be astonishing and positive for all, according to case studies provided by the DHPE:

In a 10-week health-promotion program for Dallas Independent School District employees that focused on exercise and physical fitness, 44% of teachers said they changed their overall lifestyle, 68% changed their diet, 26% who were initially sedentary started a regular program of vigorous exercise, and 18% quit smoking. Other benefits of the program for the school district included a reduction in absenteeism – exercising teachers had an average of 1.25 days less absenteeism than  nonexercising teachers – which led to a savings of $149,578 for the district in costs for substitute  teachers.

Learn more about the award for school employee wellness programs (application deadline: December 1), or download a free copy of the DHPE’s School Employee Wellness guide and other useful materials that can make your school a healthier, happier, more productive work environment.