The JESD Wellness Committee

The Jefferson Elementary School District Wellness Committee is a dedicated group of stakeholders committed to fostering a healthy and supportive environment for our entire school community – students, staff, and families. We believe that holistic well-being is fundamental to academic success, personal growth, and a thriving school culture.

JESD Wellness Policy (Updated 2025)

Wellness Committee Goals in 25-26 (continued from 24-25)

• Student Feedback System – Continue to regularly survey students to ensure their voices are heard
• Expanding Healthy & Diverse Choices – Continue to incorporate more fresh, nutritious, and culturally inclusive meals based on student feedback. 
• Taste-Testing Events – Continue to allow students to sample and provide input on new meals before they’re added. 

• Transparency & Education – Share clear information on ingredients, nutrition, and meal requirements to build trust and engagement. As well as incorporate more education around the connection between health, wellness, and nutrition!

What We Do:

The Wellness Committee works collaboratively to promote and integrate health and wellness initiatives across the district. Our efforts focus on creating a culture that values physical activity, balanced nutrition, mental health awareness, and social-emotional well-being.

We achieve this by:

• Developing and Implementing Wellness Policies: We play a key role in reviewing, updating, and evaluating the effective implementation of the district's wellness policies, aligning them with federal, state, and local guidelines.
• Supporting Mental Health and Social-Emotional Learning: We advocate for resources and initiatives that enhance mental health literacy, reduce stigma, and build strong social-emotional skills among all members of our school community.
• Identifying and Addressing Wellness Needs: Through surveys, feedback, and data analysis, we identify areas where wellness support is most needed within our schools and district.
• Promoting Healthy Lifestyles: We champion programs and activities that encourage healthy eating habits, regular physical activity, and overall positive lifestyle choices for students and staff.
• Advocating for Resources: We work to secure funding and resources necessary to support and expand wellness programs throughout the district.

Our Responsibilities:

The responsibilities of the Jefferson Elementary School District Wellness Committee include, but are not limited to:

• Regularly review and update the district's wellness policy to ensure its effectiveness and compliance with current regulations.
• Develop action plans outlining specific goals, strategies, and timelines for wellness initiatives.
• Monitor the implementation of wellness policies and programs within all schools and provide feedback for continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with school administrators, staff, families, and community organizations to promote a comprehensive approach to wellness.
• Identify and recommend evidence-based wellness programs and resources for adoption within the district.
• Organize or support wellness-focused events and activities for students, staff, and families (e.g., health fairs, wellness challenges, educational workshops).
• Communicate regularly with the school board, district leadership, and the community on wellness progress and initiatives.
• Evaluate the impact of wellness initiatives and make data-driven recommendations for future planning.