NEW INITIATIVES IN HEALTH AND WELLNESS

The 10,000 Steps Challenge will be made available to all BOE employees in
September, 2005!

     During the 2004-2005 school year, the BOE formed the Pittsburgh Public Schools Nutrition and Health Policy Advisory Committee. This group is comprised of teachers, principals, central administrators, parents and community and business leaders to provide input and direction in the district’s efforts to develop a comprehensive wellness policy for our district – a policy which will (hopefully) result in improved outcomes for our students, their families and all district personnel.

      As an outgrowth of that committee, an EMPLOYEE Health and Wellness Policy Council has been formed.

      This committee, headed by Jody Spolar, Director of Employee Relations, is working closely with representatives of our Health Provider, Highmark, to bring all employees the latest and most motivational information on getting fit and staying fit.

      Teacher Barbara James from Knoxville Elementary, Paraprofessional Jocelyn Thomas from Westwood Elementary and Staff Representative Nina Esposito-Visgitis represent the PFT on this committee.

      The committee’s first program will kick-off this September – first in all of our schools, then moving to other district sites.

      On one of the first clerical days of the 2005-2006 school year, staff members will be given the opportunity to fill out a STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL Personal Wellness Profile.

      This questionnaire covers topics such as personal health history, current symptoms, eating habits, stress levels and safety choices. Once completed and turned in (in a sealed envelope). The questionnaires will be turned over to Highmark to complete a Personal Wellness Profile that will be sent to you at home.

      This profile will include Overall Wellness Scores, Coronary & Cancer Risk Indexes and Suggestions, Safety and Health Follow-Up Items, Nutrition and Fitness summary and suggestions, Stress and substance use indexes. Finally, the summary provides “Next Steps” recommendations and health improvement opportunities.

      In addition to the Wellness Profile Incentive, employees who turn in their sealed wellness profile will receive a free pedometer (paid for by the district) and an introductory and tracking booklet for the 10,000 Step Challenge!

      This challenge is a 12-week wellness program designed to help participants become more physically active by using a pedometer to track the number of steps taken each day. Those who have taken this challenge can expect to not only strengthen their hearts, but could experience an improved mood, increased energy, decreased stress and possibly even some weight loss! Positives for us all!

      More information will be shared about this new initiative on the PFT website, in the PFT Point, and at upcoming union meetings. Watch for it – try it. Who couldn’t afford to be more healthy?

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