BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS CELEBRATES 16TH ANNUAL WELLNESS SUMMIT

BOSTON -- Friday, May 19, 2023 -- Boston Public Schools is proud to announce the successful conclusion of the 16th Annual Wellness Summit, dedicated to promoting all students' social, emotional, and physical health and wellness. The summit aimed to enhance healthy development and improve students' readiness to learn by actively fostering a culture that cares for the whole child. More than 200 attendees from across the district joined Tuesday's event.

 

"I would like to extend my congratulations to the schools receiving awards today for their hard work in implementing the BPS Wellness Policy," said Superintendent Mary Skipper. "The Summit theme of 'Cultivating Belonging' is timely and essential for the work we are doing to improve our schools and ensure every child, in every classroom, and in every school gets what they need. The hard work of our Central Office and school-based staff for continuing to ensure the successful implementation of the Wellness Policy has been crucial and so impactful in the lives of our young people."

 

Cultivating a sense of belonging and connection to the school is important for the health of students and their academic success. Students need to feel that adults and peers in their school care about their learning as well as about them as individuals. Each element of the Whole School, Whole Community, and Whole Child approach can help to cultivate that sense of connection and belonging.

 

"We are proud to host our 16th annual Wellness Summit," said BPS' Senior Executive Director Office of Health & Wellness Jill Carter. "All of our work is aligned with our BPS Wellness Policy, which is meant to take a holistic, whole-child approach to health and well-being and to make sure that we're supporting our students’ physical, social-emotional, and mental health and their learning. We are so proud of the work our staff and our schools have done and I congratulate them on their achievements."

 

Under the District Wellness Policy, the Boston Public Schools has linked new and existing wellness-related policies to create safe, healthy, and welcoming school environments. The policy serves as a framework to ensure students acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to make informed and healthy choices.

 

"The purpose of our work and this summit is all about wellness and cultivating belonging," said Boston School Committee Chairperson Jeri Robinson. "This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all of the hard work that BPS, our schools, our families, and teachers have been doing to promote understanding and to increase the opportunities for wellness opportunities." 

 

Key initiatives highlighted during the summit include:

Each year, Boston Public Schools celebrates innovative, collaborative, and shared leadership approaches to create sustainable, healthy, whole-school environments that advance students' healthy development and readiness to learn. The awards recognize schools that found creative ways to attend to the health and well-being of students, staff, and families. The Boston Public Schools is honoring nine schools with an Excellence in School Wellness Award and three schools with a Certificate of Recognition. Individual awards recognize the varied work that occurs throughout the district to support the District Wellness Policy. An awards committee reviewed awards applications submitted by BPS schools. The awardees are as follows: 

 

The Excellence in School Wellness Awards: 

 

Comprehensive Physical Education and Physical Activity

Comprehensive Health Education: 

Safe and Supportive Schools

Cultural Proficiency

School Wellness Council

Certificates of Recognition: 

The 16th Annual Wellness Summit showcased Boston Public Schools' dedication to the holistic well-being of its students and staff. By prioritizing social, emotional, and physical health, the district continues to lay the foundation for a bright and prosperous future for all. For more information about the Boston Public Schools' wellness initiatives, please visit https://www.bostonpublicschools.org/hwd.

 

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