Public Health in Public Schools

EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE

As school district leaders, we often find ourselves at the crossroads of public education and significant community issues such as public health.

I’ve repeatedly seen this connection over 20 years of leading three different school districts. Especially during challenging times like the recent pandemic, it is clear that schools are essential for contributing to the well-being of our local communities.

Consider mental health. The safety, structure and social interactions our schools provide create an environment where students can mentally and emotionally thrive. Nurturing their emotional well-being, ensuring they feel heard and providing them with resources to cope with stressors are integral parts of the public school experience and equip students for life after high school.

Similarly, school nutrition programs and physical education classes shape long-term health outcomes. Schools tackle immediate nutritional needs by providing nutritious meals and teaching students about the value of balanced diets and healthy eating habits that they can carry well into adulthood. As well, physical education instills the importance of regular activity and exercise, equipping students with tools to combat sedentary lifestyles.

Pivotal Provisions

School nutrition programs are more than just daily meals. They are pivotal in setting the course for long-term health outcomes.

AASA long has advocated for school nutrition programs, which are a cornerstone of our federal legislative advocacy. Our priorities are clear: ensuring state responsibility for licensing and certification of school nutrition workers, supporting universal school meals with considerations to protect existing federal funding streams and cover program costs, and opposing any increase in the administrative onus related to nutrition eligibility verification.

Many students on free and reduced-price lunch rely on school nutrition programs to provide two meals a day, and our schools have found innovative ways to support students when school is not in session.

For example, school districts nationwide partner with local agencies to provide weekend backpack programs where students take home nonperishable food items for the weekend and on holidays. In one study from the University of New Hampshire’s Carsey School of Public Policy, the researchers found the backpack program they reviewed was linked to higher test scores.

While these are clear illustrations of the public health/school relationship, the more nuanced aspect lies in the social connections students forge and the lifelong learning skills they gain while attending school. In building relationships, students can learn empathy, understanding and teamwork — skills that translate to a healthier, more socially conscious society. Moreover, the ability to learn continuously, adapt and seek out knowledge when faced with unfamiliar health challenges, whether a personal health concern or a pandemic, cannot be understated.

Holistic Measures

Reflecting on my journey as a superintendent, a particular initiative in one of my former districts stands out. Our goal was to align our high school schedule better with the physiological needs of growing adolescents. Research has highlighted the benefits of a later start time for high schoolers. We delved deep, engaging with our community through work groups, surveys, focus groups and countless conversations.

Not only did we shift to a later start time, but we also ensured occasional homework-free weekends and breaks and adjusted the timing of athletics and other extracurriculars to help our students and staff find balance.

This holistic approach was not just about time management; it was about stress management and respecting the health and well-being needs of our students and staff alike.

Such experiences underscore an essential point. As district leaders, we are not just educators in the traditional sense. We can directly impact our community’s well-being. Our decisions, be they curricular or administrative, can impact public health in our local communities.

Annual Renewal

January always brings a sense of renewal, and we are one month away from the annual National Conference on Education. I am incredibly excited to welcome you to San Diego next month. Our conference is built around our theme #Hereforthekids, and we have lined up hundreds of presenters from across the country to participate in the premier conference for school district leaders.

I wish you all the best in 2024, and thank you for being an integral part of AASA and helping to transform education across the country.

David Schuler is AASA executive director. Twitter: @AASA_ED