Wellness Policy Tough to Swallow
When asked about the specific directions he has received on the new wellness policy, Larsen replied, “None. I have not seen anything posted or mentioned in any of the meetings. If it was, then it was not a major issue and was something that was just touched on.”
This is the first full year where Lawrence schools have implemented the federally-mandated wellness program. The policy is a three-pronged strategy to promote nutrition, nutrition education and physical activity. In addition to encouraging students to become more health-conscious, the policy also introduces language that has not been discussed: teachers are directed to be “role models” for students in terms of their food and drink during school hours. And while it may be premature to judge the overall effectiveness of the policy after the first few months, the initial report from teachers like Jake Larsen speaks volumes.
This lack of follow-through on implementation is a problem that has plagued other wellness programs around the nation. The American Journal of Public Health published a 1998 study that determined insufficient participation by school staff dooms most efforts, concluding “These discouraging results…call into question the utility of school site teacher wellness programs.”
Larsen is not alone in his belief that inadequate training has been given to teachers. A 2001 study by Dr. Perez-Rodrigo and Dr. Aranceta published in Public Health Nutrition, finds that is a common problem in wellness programs. “Teachers often complain about the lack of explicit curriculum, suitable materials or training experience.” They conclude that resources and teacher training are “essential to program success.”
Part of the school district’s wellness policy mandates that teachers are to serve as role models for students in their eating habits during school hours. In certain respects, this is an essential component for a wellness program to be successful. On the other hand, some feel the policy is overbearing in its demands on teachers.
“It's one of those things that looks awesome on paper but is not that great of a practice. Of course we want to model the best things for kids during the day,” said Jessica Larsen, a teacher at Hillcrest Elementary, “On the other hand, there are days when I just have to have a Diet Coke at lunch and I'll take it back to the room to finish while there's orchestra going on, or I’ll have a piece of chocolate in the afternoon.”
This sentiment is not unheard of for school district administrators. “In trying to enforce changes, we have received mixed reviews. Some feel that we have overstepped our authority and some feel that we are too lenient and could do more,” said Paula Murrish, Director of Food Services for Lawrence Public Schools.
Jacob Larsen agrees with this assessment, saying that while “policing” school staff could become a slippery slope, it may not go far enough to be truly effective. “If schools really want to make the teachers good role models, then maybe they should institute a weight limit, exercise chart, and have teachers complete a fitness report on themselves each year.”
Murrish hopes that won’t be necessary. “We are not wanting to become ‘food police,’ so we will try to explain why we have these goals and expectations and hopefully we can educate any personnel who feel differently.” As far as teacher awareness is concerned, Murrish contends the plan is still in its early stages of development: “Since the policy was just approved by the BOE (Board of Education) in June, we are still getting the word out and working through staff concerns.”
One of the architects of the district’s wellness policy, Deputy Superintendent Bruce Passman, agrees that finding the middle ground between education and intrusion can be difficult, but says the end goal of improving student health demands action. “Teachers are significant role models for our students. Their choices about food and drink, particularly those in the workplace, have a bearing on students' eating choices. We don't ever intend to patrol our teachers on this issue, but have high expectations and believe teachers will do their part in terms of implementing the policy.”
It seems that the district is trapped in a “Catch-22:” they don’t want to police food choices made by teachers, but at the same time, stepping back from a hard-line approach can diminish the effectiveness of the policy. Jessica Larsen offered a recent example of current staff attitudes: the day before Halloween, a teacher copied a comic strip for others to read where a boss had banned sugary treats in the workplace. Larsen said that the intention was clearly to poke fun at the new policy, saying it is “kind of a running joke right now.”
And while the policy is a “running joke” in some schools, in others like Central Junior High, it receives little to no attention at all. Jake Larsen said that “Teachers are concerned about so many other issues that this policy is not even given the light of day. IEP meetings, SIT plans, testing, and the No Child Left Behind Act, along with grading and daily lessons keep the policy on the backburner.” Jessica Larsen agrees, saying “It's ‘one more thing’ we'll have to take care of on top of a million other things.”
Despite this grim assessment, Murrish still holds hope for the effectiveness of the program, saying she believes the district is doing the right thing and that the changes will simply take time to get used to. Dr. Passman echoes that sentiment, saying that results will not be seen overnight. “The change in eating and physical activity habits have occurred over decades and it will take vigilance by schools and communities to turn this around. Bottom line: we have an opportunity through good teaching and being role models to [enable] our students to live long and healthy lives. I think it’s worth it.”