Susan Wilson

UCID 00244701

Dear Mrs. Sauder and Mr. Young,

We have established, through numerous discussions, that Comprehensive School Health

(CHS), the “internationally recognized framework for supporting improvements in students’

educational outcomes while addressing school health in a planned, integrated and holistic way”

(“Joint Consortium,” n.d.), is vitally important to the Savanna School. As a remote, rural school

with 103 students in K-12, we face barriers that are unique to our area including a limited

awareness about life outside of our community that contributes to many students simply

remaining at home upon completion of secondary education rather than obtaining employment or

pursuing advanced education, thus leaving their full potential unfulfilled. Evidence shows that

school-based initiatives can be very effective when “developed and implemented using

approaches common to the health promoting schools approach” (Stewart-Brown, 2006, p. 16 ),

therefore, considering the Savanna School Improvement Plan (SSIP) as well as CHS, I would

like to propose an initiative that will address this ongoing trend and encourage students to

become more aware of the opportunities and resources outside of their small community.

I am proposing an “Outside Community Club”, a vision in which junior and senior high

school students and I will meet monthly during their lunch break in the Fish Bowl. Our small

student base results in different age groups regularly associating, and often looking for activities

during their breaks since they remain at the school. The Wellness Fund (n.d.) states that “school

staff need to connect with…students regularly” and that all students “need an advocate…who

consistently provides encouragement and whom they can turn to for advice” (2.2). I would strive

to connect with the students and facilitate their ownership of the club as they will be responsible

for choosing and implementing the activities. The scope of possible events for the club is large

but the premise is simple: inquiry-based investigations about opportunities and resources outside
 Susan Wilson
UCID 00244701

of your home community. Activities may include cooking a culturally authentic meal,

investigating how to secure a rental property, or conducting an empathy interview with a recent

post secondary graduate. Ultimately, the meetings will introduce or reinforce the plethora of

resources and opportunities that are available beyond our school. I believe this will alleviate the

fear of the unknown that contributes to the students’ hesitation to leave their home while

encouraging an inclusive school culture.

This initiative demonstrates the interrelation between the components of CHS and the

SSIP and evidences that “health and education are interdependent: healthy students are better

learners, and better-educated individuals are healthier” (“Joint Consortium,” n.d.). The SSIP

(2018) strives for a “Safe and Caring Student Environment” which is reflective of the “Social

and Physical Environment” (“Joint Consortium,” n.d.) component of CHS and the inclusive,

welcoming nature of the club. Encouraging responsible citizenship, developing knowledge of

health and well-being, and accessing outside resources aligns with the “Student Learning

Opportunities and Achievement” and the “Preparation for Lifelong Learning, World of Work,

Citizenship” pillars of the SSIP (2018) as well as the “Teaching and Learning” and “Partnerships

and Services” components of CHS (“Joint Consortium,” n.d.). Finally, the CSH “Healthy School

Policy” is addressed as this initiative was formed and will operate in accordance to the goals of

the SSIP, which was created to promote health and well-being via positive “management

practices” and “decision-making processes” (“Joint Consortium,” n.d.).

I believe my proposal will be beneficial to staff, students and community members as it

allows opportunity for a positive and engaging learning experience that promotes inclusivity and

growth while exploring opportunities in a broader area.

Thank you for your consideration, Susan Wilson

 Susan Wilson
UCID 00244701

References

Joint Consortium for School Health. (n.d.). What is comprehensive school health? Retrieved

from http://www.jcsh-cces.ca/images/What_is_Comprehensive_School_Health_-_2-

pager_- _July_2016.pdf (2-pages)

Savanna School Improvement Plan. (2018). Retrieved from

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13OF8Ke9kz3HlWOlPRn5JOLFQdt-ocuNS/view

Stewart-Brown, S. (2006). What is the evidence on school health promotion in improving health

or preventing disease and, specifically, what is the effectiveness of the health promoting

schools approach? Copenhagen, WHO Regional Office for Europe. Retrieved from

http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/74653/E88185.pdf

Wellness Fund. (2014). Developing healthy school communities handbook. Retrieved from

http://www.wellnessfund.ualberta.ca/~/media/abhealthyschools/Wellness_Fund_Handb

ook_2015-English.pdf