School Health Advisory Council (SHAC)

[curnowc]

PROCEEDINGS OF THE SCHOOL HEALTH ADVISORY COUNCIL

School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

High School District No. 2, Yellowstone County

Billings, Montana

 

 

October 10, 2006

 

 

The School Health Advisory Council met October 10, 2006 at 4:00 pm in room 213 at Lincoln Center. Chuck Tooley presided over the meeting. Attending were Sheryl Alpers, Kathy Aragon, Karen Dawson, Susan Dillon, Daniel Gall, Sandy Bettise, Steve Harris, Kim Johnson, Connie LeBrun, Rob Luft, Bernie Mason, Bruce McIntyre, Ginny Mermel, Ann Nichols, Karen Rice and Thomas Harper.

 

Approve Mission Statement

 

After the committee members introduced themselves, Mr. Tooley read the mission statement and gave some background on why the committee was formed. The committee is to advise the Board and administration on the implementation on the newly adopted Wellness policy. The mission statement is as follows:

Our mission is to develop ideas for the effective implementation of the Billings School District #2 Wellness Policy in a way that is financially feasible and that takes into consideration healthy standards, community values, and the needs of youth and families. We will seek an open dialogue within the group, find consensus on issues, advise school district administration of our conclusions, and be willing to engage administration with ideas for implementation.

There were no objections to the mission statement.

 

Council Objectives

 

Mr. Tooley reminded the council that they would be advising the school district administration on how to implement the policy in these areas:

1. Nutrition education

2. Health Enhancement and physical activity opportunities

3. Nutrition Standards

4. Other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness

5. Maintaining student wellness.

 

He suggested that in order to gain information on these areas, it might be useful to have presenters at the meetings to give overviews on these topics. After much discussion, the council members determined that the most important thing would be to see what’s in place right now so that there’s a starting point. Ginny Mermel suggested that a survey could be used at the schools in order to determine what is taking place at each building, then the results could be used to give the committee a better idea of where we are and where we need to go with regard to wellness issues. The idea of determining baseline data appealed to the committee, and they decided to send out a survey to each school. Ms. Mermel suggested one she had seen on the Alliance for a Healthier Generation website. Anne Nichols said she had another one developed by the American Heart Association that was more of a checklist, but might not be quite what the committee was looking for. The council would like to have a survey that could be done in a timely manner and that would be easily evaluated in order to develop a plan of action. It was decided to use the survey available on the Alliance for a Healthier Generation website since it would be done online. Thomas Harper will be in touch with building principals in order to disseminate the information about the survey, and will have the results for the next meeting.

 

Choose Council Chair

 

Mr. Tooley asked if there were any volunteers for the Chair position, and asked Ms. Mermel if she had considered taking the position. She said she would accept the position unless there would be numerous reports to complete or someone else would like the job. The consensus of the Council was that Ms. Mermel is the new Chair.

 

Conclusion and Adjournment

 

After completing its business, it was determined that the next meeting date could not be set until the surveys were completed at the schools. After this occurs, the members will be notified of the next meeting date and time. It was suggested that Anne Nichols get in touch with Dayle Hayes to see if she would be available to meet with the Council sometime in December. Dayle Hayes is a dietician who is very actively involved in wellness programs throughout the country, and who would have many resources to share. The meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

___________________

Virginia Mermel, Chair

 

______________________________

Kathy Gonzales, Recorder